Review by Mr Eden

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 73, 27 March 1936, Page 7

Review by Mr Eden

POSSIBLE rOINTS IN EUROFEAJN SITUATION. OPINION IN FRANCE. LONDON, March 25. The diplomatic writer of The Times says that Mr Anthony Eden is very busy preparing his House of (Jommous statement. It is expected that he will elucidate:—(l) The importance that the Government attaches to the temporary contribution Germany is asked to make in order to restore shattered confidence; (2) the limits set to the negotiations by the requirements of France and Belgium after the large concessions they .Lave already made; (3) the extent of British obligations to assist France and Belgium in the event of attack and the scope of the proposed consultations between the Generai Stall's; (-1) the nature of the obligations for mutual assistance and of technical arrangements which are proposed to ensure its execution as part of a definite settlement; (5) the procedure for a further exchange of views, and the part the League Council will play therein.

It *3 understood that Mr Eden to-day informed Herr von Kibbentrop that Britain considered long-range proposals do not meet the immediate situation and that it is hoped that Herr Hitler will take account of the need for repairing shattered confidence. Britain hopes Herr Hitler will offer a positivo contribution to overcome difficulties iu the interim period, but is withstanding French pressure for early technical consultations on security with the objection that there is no cause for them until Herr Hitler presents his proposals. Herr von Kibbentrop will fly to Berlin on Thursday or Friday, and is expected to return with the German proposals on Monday or Tuesday. Concessions in Vain? The Paris correspondent of the Manchester Guardian states tnat the feeling is growing in France that aii M. Flandin’s concessions are likely to be in vain, especially as it is reported from London that the draft letter promising to France and Belgium British support in the event of a German attack has no practical significance. If Britain attempts to rebuild Europe according to Her Hitler’s ideas, it will mean an acute Anglo-French crisis. Many people are declaring that Franco had better leave the League if Britain is not prepared to support the League’s terms for reconstruction iu preference to Herr Hitler’s anti-French utterances. Cctain Birrtish newspapers are causing real dismay, as it is insisted that France stands for peace, whereas Germany’s intentions are suspected, despite her professions. >3OlllO people wonder whether Anglo-German heart-to-heart talks, with France out of tho ■"'ay, would result in Britain giving Herr Hitler a free hand to expand m East Europe. Hitler Stresses His Sincerity WILL MAKE NO SECRET TREATIES. BERLIN, March ?o. "Our opponents say ‘Can we trust his proposals?' That is an. insult,’’ said

Herr Hitler speaking at Ludwigshafen in the re-militarised zone. "I make no secret treaties and no secret military alliances. Our love of peace must not be confused with servility. They are not real statesmen who still insist upon such odious divisions as victor and vanquished. There ia no superior or inferior nation in Europe and those who insist on 3uch

I read that there is a whisky scarcity in Scotland. I don’t wonder when I think of the number of Scotsmen I’ve seen helping to make it scarce. Fancy-dress is prohibited in the streets of some Swiss towns after a certain hour. An English tourist in plus-fours and a beret had some difficulty in convincing the authorities that he was just an English tourist in plusfours and a beret, .