SOVIET PACT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22351, 24 February 1936, Page 9

SOVIET PACT

FRENCH ALARM HOSTILITY OF GERMANY RATIFICATION OPPOSED LOCARNO ENDANGERED By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received February 23, 7.25 p.m.) LONDON, Feb. 22 A message from Berlin says an official statement reiterates that Germany regards the Franco-Soviet pact as a "flagrant violation" of Locarno. The German communique, says a despatch from 1 Paris, is causing alarm and the French newspapers are anticipating that Germany intends to use the pact as an excuse to move troops into the Rhineland. The Berlin correspondent of the Paris-Midi expresses the opinion that the growing friendship between Italy and Germany is reported to be deeply impressing the Balkan countries. The French Foreign Office spokesman says France does not accept the German thesis that the Franco-Soviet pact contravenes Locarno. Its ratification cannot serve as an excuse for the remilitarisation of the Rhineland as its terms only provide for mutual assistance in the event of Germany's unprovoked aggression after the League's normal procedure. Rhineland Problem Involved The Belgian Ambassador asked M. Flandin what the French attitude Avould be if Germany's retort to the pact were a denunciation of Locarno and military measures. The Observer's Paris correspondent says that in the event of Germany's repudiation of the demilitarisation clauses of the Locarno Treaty it is expected that France will appeal to the League and look to Britain to honour her Locarno obligations. Moreover, if Germany presses for a "peaceful" revision of Locarno and France receives other guarantees of security she might agree to German troops reoccupying the demilitarised zone, but would oppose Germany building fortifications which would increase the danger of war, enable 300,000 men to hold the frontier and free the remainder of the armies to begin an Eastern war of conquest. Germans Playing on French Fears The Observer's Berlin correspondent says the official spokesman there denies the French rumours regarding the Rhineland, including one that Herr Hitler conferred with his Generals on the subject. Ho said Germany had more important things to do than to plunge into war over the Rhineland. Germany welcomes the French concern, says the correspondent. Apparently she is playing on the fears of French politicians for the purpose of increasing the difficulty of the ratification of the franco-Russian pact, but she would not denounce the demilitarisation of the Rhineland owing to fears of severe repercussions in Europe. Germany is active in other directions and is planning to increase her political influence and to secure larger markets in the Balkans. A message from Rome says Italy does not consider the Franco-Russian pact conflicts with Locarno, but if Locarno becomes inoperative she might revise her view. RUSSIA AN ENEMY VIEWPOINT OF NAZIS MENACE TO WESTERN EUROPE (Received February 23. 5.5 p.m.) Times Cable LONDON. Feb. 22 The Berlin correspondent of the Times says Germany's hostility to the FrancoSoviet pact is compounded of indignation, fear and genuine regret that France, by linking up with an Eastern and Communist State, is making a Western European understanding more difficult. The whole Nazi movement is based on the defeat of Communism, for which reason the argument that Germany has only to even out matters by joining in the pact is treated with scorn. The idea that Soviet Russia and Hitlerite Germany might in any circumstances be found fighting on the same side is simply ridiculed. The Deutsche Allgemeine Zeitung expresses a universally-held view when it says: "Soviet Russia to-day shows the face of Janus. In spite of all disavowals and subterfuges the Soviet's foreign policy and the Third (Communist) International are Siamese twins." There is also complete agreement with M. Herriot's high estimate of the value of the Red Army. The Russian soldier is declared to be excellent fighting material and the leadership of officers and non-commissioned officers of a higher standard than ever before. Moreover, Russia is giving enormous attention to air power. It is argued that if the Franco-Soviet pact is signed Germany must have an Air Force in the East calculated separately'from any equality of strengths agreed to between the Western Powers. All these arguments may bo summed up in the one phrase: "In Russia there is an enemy," and by this Germany does not mean only an enemy of Germany, but of all European civilisation. FRIENDLY TO BRITAIN FEELING IN GERMANY (Received February 23, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON. Feb. 22 Tho Marquess of Londonderry, formerly Secretary of State for Air, has returned from a private three weeks' visit to Germany. In Berlin he conversed with Herr Hitler, General Goering and other German Ministers. Ho said ho had found everywhere a most friendly feeling toward Britain. "I am certain that the development of the German Air Force is not in any sense directed against Britain," said Lord Londonderry. "It is in Germany's idea tho best means of maintaining her security. Sho has no ill-feeling toward France, with whom she would welcome a better understanding, but certainly she fears the Russian political system and its policy of world revolution."