“DANGER OF WAR BROUGHT NEARER”

Northern Advocate, 10 March 1936, Page 7

“DANGER OF WAR BROUGHT NEARER”

GERMANY’S STRATEGIC ADVANTAGE OVER FRANCE

[United Press Association. —By Electric Telegraph. — Copyright .] (Received 11.30 a.m.) LONDON, March 9,

SPECIALLY trained troops are taking- up their positions on the formidable Maginot line of fortifications. The War Ministry, however, emphasises that this does not represent war' strength. No troops will be brought to the Rhine from other parts of Prance.

Regiments from the garrisons .at Metz and Thionville moved up to complete the manning olf fortifications. All other troops in the vicinity of the Rhineland are still confined to barracks.

It is now revealed that the plans for the reoccupation of the Rhineland were carried out with typical German thoroughness, but observers were struck with the extreme youth of the soldiers, the average age seeming to be 20, and many seemed, to be schoolboys. Berlin Comment.

The official spokesman in Berlin has denounced France’s intranaigeance, declaring Herr Hitler’s offer as France’s last big chance. France can now have security as never before. French newspapers say that wellinformed circles in Germany are surprised and dismayed at the worldwide disapproval, as they are placing their hope in Britain as an outside arbitrator.

Warsaw and Poland have assured the French Ambassa- • dor ,that Poland will adhere to the Franco-Polish Alliance of 1921, under which Poland agrees to assist France if attacked. A Warsaw message says that the Polish Senate is considering a proposal for a £20,000,000 rearmament loan, ■ .

The “Manchester Guardian” editorially emphasises Germany’s disregard for M. Flandin’s offer to submit the Franco-Soviet Pact to The Hague Court and her destruction of a treaty into which she freely entered.

Much-Wild Talk. The “Guardian’s” - Paris representative says that naturally - there is much wild talk, not excluding words of, mobilisation and war. Feeling,,,is. most bitter, though this does not mean that French opinion at present favours marching into the Rhineland. • It is certain, however, that Herr ,Hitler’s action has brought the danger of war nearer,’ This latest “peace of Attila” diplomacy confirms the impression long entertained that Herr Hitler wants, above all, a free hand in the east and hegemony in Eastern - and Central Europe, after which he , would have France at his mercy.

The “Guardian’s” diplomatic writer states that the : military significance of Herr Hitler’s action lies in the enormous strategical advantage , that control of the demilitarised zone gives against France, • and favours any probable plan for advance on Paris through the Dutch proving of burg, and through Belgium and, Luxembourg. Hetr Hitler has gone a long way on the road to realisihg _ what he declared in his book “Mein Kampf,” was one of the chief aims of German policy—to “overthrow France.” ( The French are convinced that ..their continued existence will depend, jDU > the attitude of Britain, which N is watching with really tragic concern. '

German Anger. The French Cabinet's rejec-.v * tion of Herb Hitler^meirnoXTr andum to the Locarno Powers;.\' offering to negotiate a new ■ agreement for, the establish-",' ment of a system of Ijlyrp-’v-pean guarantees of peace has v angered German opinion. asked whether France will once again “throw;- awajr thisindecisive opportunity- to brings:. , about peace.”. ’’ The newspaper - ' ‘‘Volkischer Bbebachter” expresses surprise at the primitive fashion in which French have actually swept aside; Herr Hitler’s far-'reaching proposals; “Do - they think ; theylhave; the exclusive : right in Paris alone to determine the fate of Europe, and remove freedom from all other great people? ■ asks the newspaper. “We must hope conversations with the diplomats' of other nations will temper , French’ stubbornness, and that . France, will realise that the peace of the whole Continent cannot be sacrificed for-the sake of stupidity.” , -