NAZIS IN LONDON

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22987, 15 March 1938, Page 11

NAZIS IN LONDON

PRESENCE RESENTED

ATTACK ON MR. CHAMBERLAIN

TRAFALGAR SQUARE MEETING

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright LONDON, March 13

A crowd of 20,000 people to-day attended a "National Peace" demonstration in Trafalgar Square, at which Professor J. B. S. Haldane accused the Prime Minister, Mr. Chamberlain, of insulting Their Majesties by his "Ministerial advice."

"Their Majesties," said Professor Haldane, "were forced to have luncheon with the German Ambassador, Herr von Ribbentrop, while Herr Hitler's troops were invading Austria in violation of the League Covenant. "We are governed by criminals, for the Government solemnly promised to abide by the Covenant, but has repeatedly violated it. There is a policeman here, but he would be better employed in Downing Street arresting them.

"The presence of Nazi representatives in London is a breach of the law according to Article XVI. of the Covenant."

The speaker urged the crowd to demonstrate outside the German Embassy. The meeting passed a resolution declaring that only prompt Government action in support of the League and international law could stop present wars and further acts of aggression. The resolution urged that the Government should declare Britain to be opposed to foreign intervention in Austria aqd Czechoslovakia, and should support their independence, should refuse loans and credits to Italy, and should not recognise her conquest of Abyssinia, should demand the withdrawal of foreign troops from Spain, and should withhold war and other supplies from .Japan.

The procession began to march along Pall Mall toward the German Embassy, the demonstrators clenching their fists and booing, but- the police formed preventive cordons and diverted the marchers into Piccadilly Circus after several fights. Thousands marched past the Czechoslovakian Legation, shouting "Hands off Czechoslovakia."