GERMAN SELF-ASSERTION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20491, 17 February 1930, Page 9

GERMAN SELF-ASSERTION.

NAVAL BUILDING PLANS.

FRENCH ALARM CRITICISED. ~ >9

BIG CRUISER PROGRAMME.

By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright. (Received February 16, 5.45 p.m.) LONDON, Feb. 15. German naval circles apparently are keenly following the work of the Five Powers Naval Conference. They comment on what they term the "hypocrisy" of France's alarm over the "pocket battleship," Ersatz Preussen, and allege that in the next five years France is likely to build four 15.000-ton super-cruisers more heavily armed than the new German vessel in question. The German Foreign Office describes the introduction of the Ersatz Preussen into the discussions in London as a "poisoned bullet."

The Deutsche ''Allgemeine Zeitung says: "If M. Tardieu's statement is intended as a hint to Germany not to continue building "pocket battleships," it will fall on deaf ears. The German Ministry of Defence is determined'to build to the limits of the Treaty of Versailles, in spite of the opposition of the Socialists."

JOURNALISTS' PARTY.

GUESTS OF MacDONALD.

RECEPTION AT CHEQUERS.

(Received February 1.7, 12.15 a.m.) LONDON, Feb. IG

A party of British and foreign journalists attending the Naval Conference were the guests of the Prime Minister, Mr. Mac Donald, at Chequers. He and Miss Ishbel Mac Donald received them, showed them over the house, gave them tea and walked with them round the estate.

Later Mr. Mac Donald sat at the fireside conversing intimately with his guests. This is the first time any Prime Minister has had such a party. Politics were not mentioned.