HITLER'S POLICY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22117, 24 May 1935, Page 11

HITLER'S POLICY

STATEMENT REVIEWED BRITISH UNDERTAKING IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION SITUATION NOW MORE CLEAR By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received May 23, 6.5 p.m.) British Wireless RUGBY, May 22 " The fullest and fairest consideration will at once be given by the British Government to Herr Hitler's important declaration." This undertaking was given by Mr. Stanley Baldwin on behalf of the Government in opening the debate in the House of Commons to-day on the national defence policy. It would be quite impossible for him not to take the very earliest opportunity of referring to this striking declaration.

Mr. Baldwin recalled the fact that the statements made by the Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary, Mr. Mac Donald and Sir John Simon, on May 2 included an appeal to Germany to make a contribution, in concrete and specific terms, toward the solution of the difficulties and dangers both to security and confidence which were overshadowing the world and could only be removed by collective agreement. '

It was manifest that the German Leader-Chancellor's speech was, among other things, an answer to that appeal. " We recognise it as such," said Mr. Baldwin, " and we recognise that Herr Hitler has made more precise the German attitude in several directions and has indicated in a number of respects what Germany is prepared to do. Need for Wisdom and Courage

" We regard these declarations as of very serious consequence. They deserve serious and prompt study from ns all. The Government will at once devote to them its closest attention in a spirit of sympathy and candour. Whatever may be said of past events, the present situation and future development largely depend on human wisdom and human courage and on what is done now, not only on what this country does or says.

" We have a very important part to play in co-operation with others, and we will not fail to do our utmost to bring about, in every direction that .is possible, international agreement. " There is one respect in which Herr Hitler's speech has a direct bearing on the special topic of to-day's debate," said Mr. Baldwin. " The Leader-Chan-cellor declared that Germany intended to limit the German Air Force to parity with other individual Western Powers. This is a confirmation of the basis on which our air plans are being founded. Proposed Air Convention " Herr Hitler went on to point out that the ratio of parity was distinguished from aiming at an arithmetic total without regard to what others do, and that it was possible, by agreement between the Powers specially concerned, not only to fix but to reduce and limit. " That is a very important reflection. It is one %vhich we havo had in mind throughout. " I must also call special' attention to the Leader-Chancellor's reference to the proposed air pact between the Locarno Powers. The British Government has made the promotion of the London declaration, by negotiation between the Powers interested, one of the objects of its most earnest endeavours. " When the Foreign Secretary paid a visit to Berlin, this was one of the matters he discussed with the German Leader-Chancellor, and what Herr Hitler has now said is more valuable because it indicates his hope that the negotiation of such an air pact might be accompanied by agreed limitation. Light Seen in the Darkness " There is one other matter to which the Government attaches the greatest importance," said Mr. Baldwin. "It has seemed ; that the promotion of an air pact might be combined with an effort to. safeguard the civilian populations against the danger of indiscriminate attacks from the air, and there were passages in Herr Hitler's speech which seemed to indicate that he shared that view. " I look for light wherever I can find it. I believe there is some light in that speech which was made last night. 'Wo must all get hold of more light. Wo must make fresh resolves. " I believe the opportunity may be opening even now at the eleventh hour, knowing that night is ever darkest before the dawn, and that we may yet within a time measurable in our lives, see vanish from the world the most fearful terror and prostitution of man's knowledge that ever has been known in the world."