FRENCH SCHEME

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22391, 11 April 1936, Page 11

FRENCH SCHEME

COLLECTIVE SECURITY EUROPEAN COMMISSION SUGGESTED ESTABLISHMENT By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright PARIS. April 8 The French Government's reply to Herr Hitler's memorandum, containing proposals for European peace, comprises; a communique of 13 pages. It answers the German contentions, and also is a tion containing French proposals. The reply affirms equality of rights and respect for international law, and asserts the principle that no nation can attain hegemony in Europe. France proposes the permanent control of the execution of treaties by a European commission, and that the extent of the limitation of armaments by each State should be decided by a twothirds majority of that commission, or such other organisation as the Lenguo Council may decide. The reply states that if mutual assistance in the universal framework of the Letgue at the moment is difficult to pilt into operation quickly and efficaciously, regional accord shall be sought.

Permanent Forces lor Assistance Moreover, even if Europe should appear to be too vast to apply-collec-tive security by mutual assistance and disarmament, the task of organising regional ententes within the European framework remains. This organisation should be entrusted to a European commission within the League structure. France proposeit further that the associated States, in order to accomplish their duty of mutual assistance, shall keep a permanent, trnined army, and naval and air forces at the disposal of the European commission or the League Council. All treaties at present existing, besides those which may be concluded in the future between European Powers, shall be submitted to the commission, which would be able, by a two-thirds majority, to pronounce them incompatible with a European pact or with regional pacts.

The economic (section of the communique states that partial or total Customs unions would substantially improve the economic situation. The necessity for a common reserve of raw materials and territory for expansion for surplus European production should lead to a revision of certain colonial statutes from, this point of view of equality of economic rights.

Oerman Intentions Asked A special section of the European commission should consider economic questions as soon as political security is re-established. Nothing in these proposals shall be considered contrary to the League Covenant. Final acceptance! of the plan presupposes adherence to the League, and the refusal of any State to join the plan shall not prevent other States accepting it. The reply refers to the possibility of Germany raising questions of Austria, Danzig and Memel, restitution of colonies and revision of European frontiers, and says that Germany should reply clearly about her intentions m these respects.

France emphasises that the .Germnn attitude toward the prohibition of the fortification of the Rhineland must be the touchstone for deciding whether Germany is prepared to admit the principle of collective security. France notes that Germany replies with suggestions quite insufficient to consolidate peace in Europe. France fears that Germany will again secede from the League if her colonial aspirations are not satisfied.

GERMAN COMMENT CRITICISM OF FRANCE PROBLEM NOT UNDERSTOOD BERLIN, April 8 An official at the German Foreign Office to-day described the French document as addressed to world opinion and the French electorate rather than to tho Governments of the Powers concerned. "It shows that the French do not yet understand the prpblem under discussion," he added. Referring to tho question whether Germany had gitvon up her claims to Memel, Danzig and elsewhere, the spokesman said: "Considering all that we have offered, the world need not be disquieted." Germany was willing to examine France's European plan, but he expressed the opinion that the proposals were not much* more than tho compilation of Mr. Eden's, some of which had already proved to be impractical. "A European committee is a splendid idea," said the spokesman, "but is it adapted to life?"