GERMANY IRRITATES BRITAIN

Northern Advocate, 23 June 1937, Page 5

GERMANY IRRITATES BRITAIN

Leipzig Incident May Lead To Trouble

£United Press Association.—By Electric i Telegraph. — Copyright .3 (Received 2 p.m.) LONDON, June 22. Mr Anthony Eden will meet .the French, German and Italian Ambassadors on the Leipzig affair, which, it is feared at Whitehall, may be used by Germany as an excuse for a final rupture with non-intervention. Herr von Ribbentrop is reported to have delivered a virtual ultimatum. The fall of Bilbao, the French political crisis, and the internal difficulties in Russia are believed to have strengthened the hand of the extremists. Hitler Confers With War Chiefs. A ■ Berlin message states that Herr Hitler conferred with war chiefs, including Marshal von Blomberg and Admiral, Raeder, and discussed independent measures against the Spanish Government if dissatisfied with the London talks. The official spokesman declared that Germany’s indignation must taken more seriously, and hinted that Germany may demand confiscation of. Government merchantmen and blockade harbours as a naval demonstration.

Britain is becoming distinctly impatient with German demands in regard to Spain, declares the diplomatic correspondent of “The Times.” Reciprocity Expected. Britain has gone as far as possible to meet the legitimate demands .of Germany and Italy, and expects some reciprocity. The German Government has issued a report on the “Spanish” Bolsheviks’ submarine attacks on the cruiser Leipzig, on June 18, off Oran, Algeria. It is alleged that two submarines were seen near the Leipzig on the day in question. The report states that a diver’s examination of the Leipzig’s hull disclosed scratches and a six-inch dent. The vessel’s course was changed after the torpedo had been noticed, thereby grazing either the torpedo or the submarine from which it was fired. Inflammatory Declaration. An inflammatory declaration of Germany’s attitude on the subject of the Leipzig incident was made by Dr. Goebbels, Minister of Propaganda, in an address to 130,000 Nazis at the Olympic Stadium. “Germany will not be satisfied by the incident being referred from one committee to another in the manner of the League of Nations,” he said, “and by a letter being sent to Valencia after three months in such terms as ‘You naughty, naughty Bolsheviks. You know such things are not done.’

“Germany does not want war,” said Dr. Goebbels, “but peace, which will be best served by strong action. We have found In our domestic policy that there are people with whom we can only reason after knocking out their teeth/'