INVITED TO BERLIN

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22518, 12 March 1935, Page 9

INVITED TO BERLIN

SIR JOHN SIMON DISCUSSION ON PEACE (United Press Association.) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) BERLIN, March 10. Baron von Neurath has invited Sir John Simon to Berlin between March 24 and 30, provided Herr Hitler has recovered. HERR HITLER RECOVERING LONDON, March 10. Baron von Neurath informed Sir Eric Phipps that Herr Hitler was recovering, and was spending a fortnight at a watering place, after which it was hoped to arrange a date for the conversations with Sir John Simon, who is expected to visit Berlin almost simultaneously with Captain Eden going to Moscow. THE BRITISH WHITE PAPER LONDON, March 10. " The British White Paper has not caused indignation in Germany, but bitter disappointment," said Herr Ribbentrop, Herr Hitler's plenipotentiary for disarmament, when interviewed by Mr Ward Price for the Daily Mail. " No German understands its publication on the eve of Sir John Simon's visit, which we thought marked a new spirit of confidential consultation. Germany understands that Britain must be strong in a highly armed world. No German holds Britain responsible for the general increase in armaments. Accordingly we do not understand why she blames Germany for Britain's increase. Moreover, under the Peace Treaty Germany destroyed or surrendered almost her entire fleet and broke up 56,000 guns, many millions of rifles, 275,000 machine-guns, 39,000,000 grenades, dismantled every aeroplane, ploughed up aerodromes, and destroyed railway platforms, and thus disarmed awaited other nations' fulfilment of their disarmament obligations. On the contrary they continued rearming. The White Paper's references to Germany are neither true in fact nor politically necessary. The German Government particularly resents the attempt to establish a distinction between Herr Hitler's declarations and intentions and the tendency of German public opinion, especially regarding German youth training. Germany will always be ready to collaborate with other nations, particularly with Britain, with whom Germany, and especially Herr Hitler, deeply and sincerely desires good relations, but the Versailles spirit must entirely disappear. Only a completely free and equal State can negotiate reliant agreements with other sovereign States." GERMANY'S- AIR FORCE LONDON, March 11. (Received March 11, at 9 p.m.) The Daily Mail's Berlin correspondent says the officers of the German Flying Union will receive military titles- and badges on April 1, their first official recognition. General Goering explains that not all the officers will have military rank and badges. His policy is not to create an offensive air arm, but a force strong enough to defend Germany against aerial attack. Germany, replying'to the British air pact Note, approved the effective defence methods proposed therein and expressed her readiness to send an air force to help any country threatened with aerial aggression. This necessitated defining the specific air strength available, which entailed distinguishing those who would become members of the fighting air force and those remaining civil aviators. The Air Ministry controlled both branches under General Goering as air general. The new force would never be employed to threaten the peace of other nations. A MOMENTOUS DEBATE LONDON, March 11. (Received March 11, at 11 p.m.) The newspapers describe Monday's House of Commons debate oh the White Paper as one of the most important by this Parliament. Since the White Paper was issued there has been a growing volume of Liberal and Labour speeches throughout the country in opposition to it. "On Monday night," says the Daily Herald, " the House of Commons will be invaded by mass deputations who will protest to their members against the Government's rearmament policy. The invasion will be preceded by a service a* Christ Church, Westminster, conducted by Miss Maude Royden. The League of Nations Union, the National Peace Council, Labour co-operative parties, and the Free Church are holding protest meetings throughout the country." The Daily Telegraph's political correspondent says an arrangement has been made by which Mr Baldwin will make the opening speech, instead of the Socialist front bench proposing a vote of censure. Later Major Attlee will submit the Socialist motion, to which Sir Austen Chamberlain will propose an amendment which will sum up the ministerial view. Sir Arthur Samuel, Messrs Winston Churchill, L. S. Amery and J. Maxton, and Sir Stafford Cripps are the other speakers.