GERMAN FOREIGN POLICY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19924, 18 April 1928, Page 11

GERMAN FOREIGN POLICY.

FRIENDSHIP WITH FRANCE.

ATTITUDE OF BRITAIN.

EARL OF BIRKENHEAD'S VIEW.

Australian and N.Z. Press Association. BERLIN, April 16

Hie A tiglo-American Press Club entertained the Secretary of State for India, the Earl of Birkenhead. In a speech Lord Birkenhead expressed the opinion that Germany was relinquishing her policy of holding the balance between the Western Powers and Russia in favour of a closer connection with Britain and France.

When asked to explain the present British policy toward Germany Lord Birkenhead is reported to have replied: "Britain is consolidating good relations with Germany, in order to be the better able to influence France."

SPEECHES OF AMITY.

CO-OPERATION IN PEACE

RECONSTRUCTION OF EUROPE.

Times Cable.

LONDON, April 16.

At the luncheon tendered to the Earl of Birkenhead by Herr Stresemann. the German Foreign Minister said mutual confidence between leading personages and respect for each other's achievement was essential to lieai the wounds of the Great War. He paid a tr'.bute to Lord Birkenhead for his reference to British esteem for German achievements even in the darkest hours of the war. He said he hoped the personal confidence between Sir Austen Chamberlain and himself would be extended, and so strengthen the welfare of Britain and Germany and the understanding between them. Lord Birkenhead congratulated Germany upon tho Bremen's exploit in tho transatlantic flight. Ho said tho prosperity of tho nations—perhaps tho existence of European civilisation —would depend upon peaceful co-operation between the nations who had fought in the war. Britain had every reason to respect the strength, the scientific organisation and the courage of tho GermaD troops. Germany's tremendous efforts had overcome many difficulties since tho Armistice. Britain fully recognised the great part the German spirit of organisation had played in the reconstruction of Europe.