GERMAN ACTIONS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22100, 4 May 1935, Page 13

GERMAN ACTIONS

COMMONS DEBATE STRONG DISAPPROVAL MENACE TO WORLD TREATY OVERTHROWN WHERE BRITAIN STANDS By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received May 3, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, May 2 Among those present in the House of Commons to-day to hear the debate on foreign affairs which followed Mr. Mac Donald's statement on the subject were Mr. R. B. Bennett, Prime Minister of Canada, Mr. S. M. Bruce, Australian High Commissioner, Sir James Parr, New Zealand High Commissioner, and Mr. J. W. Dulanty, Irish Free State High Commissioner.

Most of the foreign ambassadors, except i. Dr. L. von Hoesch (Germany) also were present. The Leader of the Opposition, Mr. George Lansbury, said the Labour Party was very disappointed that the Prime Minister's statement,, after three years' disarmament talk, had largely dealt with an increase of armaments as a preliminary basis for peace. Had tho Government gone back on the Covenant of the League of Nations in favour of relying upon four or five nations? - . . Labour had no confidence in peace pacts based on enormous armaments, but had great faith in peade through the League. Mr. Lansbury congratulated tho Government on leaving the door wide open for Germany to come in. Liberal View of Situation Sir Herbert Samuel, Liberal leader, said public opinion would not support whole-hearted alliances with other Powers against Germany. This was because of an uneasy consciousness that there was some substance in the German allegations that tho Powers who refused to disarm were equally guilty of a breach of the Versailles Treaty as the Powers that were rearming. At the same time, Herr Hitler had consolidated British opinion to an extent which could not have been foreseen. Germany should be given to understand from all quarters of the House that if she pursued her present Course and came to no arms limitation agreement, she would compel the resentment and disapproval of every section of the British people. Stern Warning to Germany

Sir Austen Chamberlain, formerly Conservative Foreign Secretary, said he hoped Sir John Simon, the present Foreign Secretary, would give them a fuller revelation of the German mind. Did Germany want the dictated peace of Versailles to be substituted bjf a peatfe dictated from Berlin? (Cheers.) Sir Austen protested against sending only an observer to the Rome conference. Austrian independence was the key-piece of European peace. If Germany had a partner in mind she would welcome it. If she thought she tfould extort her own will she would vfind Britain in her path again. With Britain she would find all the great free Commonwealths around it, and she would meet a force which again would be her master. (Cheers.) Respective Strengths in Air Sir John Simon denied that the Government had gone back upon the Covenant of the League or accepted regional pacts as an alternative. These were not Competitive methods. The treaty of Locarno itself was a regional pact. i In answering Sir Herbert Samuel the Foreign Secretary explained that if Germany attacked Russia and a treaty of mutual assistance made France assist Russia the Locarno Treaty placed Britain under no obligation to assist Germany. Sir John went on to say that undoubtedly the rate of production of aeroplanes in Germany had increased much more rapidly than Britain si advisers had thought likely last autumn. Since he had seen Herr Hitler in Berlin he had ascertained that the latter's statement: " Germany had reached parity with Britain in the air," was intended to imply that Germany's first-line strength was 800 to 850 machines. That figure did not include auxiliary or special reserve units, but in Britain's dase it included machines overseas. Door Kept Open to the Nazis " Germany now is helping herself to equality by unilateral action," said Sir John. "We kept the door open to Germany. " We did not engage in the senseless, endless and hopeless competition in piling up armaments, but we are bound to establish the safety of this country. We have a great work to do as meditator. As such we implore Germany to show that she is prepared to take her part, not only in word but in deed." At this stage tho debato was adjourned. AEROPLANE ENGINES EXPORTS TO GERMANY LONDON. Muy 2 In the House of Commons to-day Mr. Walter Runciman, President of the Board of Trade, informed Mr. F. S. Cocks (Labour—Broxtowe, Nottingham) that, during 1934, 96 aeroplane engines wero exported by Britain to Germany, but nono were exported in tho first quarter of 1935Mr. Cocks: In view of the illegal arming of Germany, will the Minister prevent this export? Mr. Runciman: The export of these, engines does not require a licence. There is no reason to suppose the engines exported for civil aeroplanes are not fit and proper subjects for export. Mr. Cocks: Will the Minister take steps to stop this trade? Mr. Runciman: No. Mr. Douglas Hacking, Financial Secretary to the War Office, told a, questioner that threo British officers were to bo attached to the German Army for six weeks, and three German officers to the British Army. This was in accordance uith ordinary international courtesy.

Mr. Will Thorne (Labour —West Ham, Plaistow): Are the oflicers entitled to report to their respective Governments ?

Mr. Hacking: That is one of the objects of the exchange. We have as much to gain as Germany.