FRENCH REPLY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23437, 29 August 1939, Page 9

FRENCH REPLY

FIDELITY_TO PACTS PREMIER'S EFFORTS IMPROVE RELATIONS REMINDER TO FUEHKER (Receiver! Auenst 'JU. 12.-I0 p.m.) LONDON. Aucrust 11 The French War Ministry officially states that Herr Hitler told the French Ambassador, M. Coulondre, that he could not accept M. Daladier's proposal that the Polish and German Governments should attempt a pacific settlement of their differences.

When M Coulondre informed M. Daladier of Herr Hitler's declaration, M. Daladier immediately sent a message to Herr Hitler recalling France's profound attachment to peace and fidelity to her engagements publicly contracted with other nations.

Herr Hitler in his message had said be could not tolerate the existing situation in Poland and deplored that German and French blood should be spilt following the measures he might have to take in order to settle the situation. Conciliation Urged M. Daladier replied that no Frenchman had ever done more than himself to establish . cordial relations between France and Germany. ' M. Daladier reminded the Fuehrer that he (Herr Hitler) had deplored that German and French blood should be spilled following the measures he might have to take to settle the situation; M. Daladier added that he himself had guaranteed Poland s dispositions far mutual recourse to methods of free conciliation, and affirmed that no man of feeling could understand that war could break out without at 'east a now direct attempt at a peaceful arrangement between Germany and Poland. ' Destruction Surest Victor

M, Daladier's letter concluded: "You a nd I were fighters at the front in the last war, and therefore we know the abhorrence and condemnation of war's devastations that is left behind ln people's conscience.

"The concept which I am able to form of Your Excellency's role as one leading the German people on the Path of peace toward the completion ■of its task in the joint work of civilisation, induces me to request a reply to this proposal. "If French and German blood flows Anew, as it did 25 years ago, in a still longer and more murderous war, then each of-tlio two nations will fight con.^ont in its own victory, but destruction and barbarity will be tho surest Vl ctors."

A report that Hitler had sent n Personal letter to tho French President, M. Lebrun, is officially denied iu ■Paris.

Dnladier to-day conferred with German Charge d'Affaires.