WESTERN EUROPE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22714, 28 April 1937, Page 11

WESTERN EUROPE

GERMAN TACTICS BELGIAN NEUTRALITY PERMANENCY DESIRED PLANS NOT SUCCEEDING By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright (Received April 27, MS p.m.) LONDON. April 27 A German attempt to neutralise Belgium permanently, thereby paralysing intervention by France and Britain on the western front in the event of trouble in Eastern Europe, formed the background of yesterday's conversations between the British Foreign Secretary, Mr. Eden, and Belgian Ministers, says the Brussels correspondent of the Morning Post. The German Government, it is understood, haw intimated that it will only guarantee Belgian independence if Belgium denounces her obligations under the League Covenant and gives her assurance that she will not allow the passage of foreign troops across her territory in any circumstances. The correspondent adds: "There is no doubt that Germany is employing all her resources to wean Belgium from Franco-British influence. The chief result of Mr. Eden's conversations is to show that so far she has not succeeded." POSITION OF BELGIUM CAUSE OF PEACE ADVANCED FRANCO-BRITISH GUARANTEES British Wireless RUGBY, April 26 The Franco-British declaration relieving Belgium from her Locarno obligations, while allowing the French and British guarantees to continue in force, is the subject of comment by the Times, which says tile declaration broadens the road for peaceful advance in the West. While the communication is explicit and effective in itself, it presents no barrier to the wider organisation of Western security, and it places Belgium in a position which ought to strengthen her independence in all senses, and anable her to work more effectively for general political and economic appeasement. That alone can provide her and others with real security for the future.

WAR GENERATION'S DUTY CO-OP E ftATIO N FOR PEACE MR. EDEN AT BRUSSELS BRUSSELS, April 2<i An appeal to the war generation, in its increasing control of foreign affairs, to combine to avert war was the keynote of Mr. Eden's speech to-day at the banquet of the Belgian Foreign Minister, M. Paul Spaak. Mr. Eden pointed out that Dr. van Zeeland and M. Spaak. of Belgium, M. Delbos, of France, Herr Hitler, himself and many other statesmen had taken part in the Great War, and he hoped all woidd co-operate in securing |>eace. The first task was to ensure that the world never again would be subjected to such an ordeal. "There is justification for believing that there lias lately Wen some alleviation of international tension, but a positive programme must be found. Peace cannot be created by mere expressions of goodwill. Influences are at work which should aid us in realising our ambition." Mr. Eden added that enduring comradeship between British and Belgians was formed during the war. Nobody was more qualified to play a part in securing peace than was Belgium, which bad suffered so much in the past. Mr. Eden and the Dutch Ministers, in the presence of the British Ambassador, Sir Edmund Ovev, discussed the position of Belgium under the proposed Western Pact. Belgium accepted Mr. Eden's view that she should adhere to her covenantal obligations and defend herself. She does not foresee an agreement with Germany unless the latter modifies her demands.