THE GERMAN LEADER

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22826, 10 March 1936, Page 9

THE GERMAN LEADER

REPUDIATION OF TREATY GENEVA’S OVERWHELMING OPINION WORD AND SIGNATURE VALUELESS PROTEST LODGED BY FRANCE (United Press Association.) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) LONDON, March 8. (Received March 9, at 7 p.m.) The Manchester Guardian’s Geneva correspondent says: “ The overwhelming opinion in diplomatic, journalistic, and official circles is that Herr Hitler’s word and signature are alike valueless. Few Governments will consider concluding any agreement with Germany in future, Herr Hitler himself reaffirmed Locarno in 1935, the repudiation of which is the application of the maxim in “ Mein Kampf ” that treaties should be repudiated wherever convenient. There is reason to believe that Herr Hitler told Signor Mussolini in November that Germany would help him if he held out until the spring. Germany’s present action seems to be the fulfilment of that promise. There will be a tendency to say that the Abyssinian dispute must be concluded at all costs in face of this new menace to the peace of Europe. Moreover, Italy is unlikely to lose an opportunity of blackmailing other Powers.”

GERMANY AND LOCARNO

HER OWN SIGNATURE. REJECTED (British Official Wireless) RUGBY, March 8. Intense public interest, not untinged with anxiety, has been aroused by the German Rhineland action. It is recognr’sed that Parliament will expect the earliest possible statement from the Government on the subject. This will be made to-morrow in the House of Commons by Mr Eden, who will have had an opportunity of full consultation with his Ministerial colleagues. Meanwhile Mr Eden has been kept closely informed regarding the trend of opinion in the Governments of other Powers signatory to the Locarno Treaty, and in particular with the views of the French Government. The newspapers, discussing Germany’s reoceupation of the demilitarised zone and the terms of the memorandum, emphasise that unilateral denunciation of treaties is, on the face of it, a precarious basis upon which to construct a new peace effort. They agree, however, that the memorandum must be patiently and carefully examined by the Governments to which it is addressed. The leading article in the Observer says: Herr Hitler has raised the mailed fist of one hand and offered an olive branch with the other. While his troops marched into the Rhine zone he outlined comprehensive proposals for peace in Europe. The Puhrer thus gives unilateral notice that the entire territory of Germany will henceforth be subject to the unfettered control of the German Government. Granted German equality he went on to ingeminate peace. What he said yesterday is bound at once to become the focus of diplomatic activity. Brilliant and timely as are the German proposals they must be considered with sober realism as well as deep goodwill. This time Germany repudiates a treaty she freely signed and recently reaffirmed. No longer does she argue that an imposed treaty cannot bind her, ns she does not refer the Locarno Treaty to arbitration. She rejects her own signature. We hope and believe that in the elucidations in the next few days both Russian and French misgivings will be fairly met in Berlin. If that be so Herr Hitler’s proposals will prove to have performed a valuable service, but this must be Germany’s last promise, at all costs to be kept. The Sunday Times says the appeal by Herr Hitler to an accomplished fact is not made for the first time, and recalls that the same method was practised when conscription was restored, when the ban on heavy artillery was transgressed, and when German forces were re-equippcd with fighting aeroplanes and submarines. In all these steps he successfully defied a Europe too much divided and distracted to enforce its right. He will succeed this time again. The value of the whole system proposed by Herr Hitler in the memorandum depends on the confidence which other Powers can feci in the keeping of German engagements. To this confidence the present action has dealt a severe blow. We do not say it is necessarily a fatal one. The point will have to be dispassionately weighed, but on the balance it is difficult not to think that in Europe’s dangerous* drift since 1932 yesterday’s events mark the most grave, most alarming, and perhaps irrevocable stage. HERR HITLER’S STATEMENT NOT ACCEPTABLE TO FRANCE PARIS, March 8. Cabinet had a long .sitting, and decided that Herr Hitler’s statement was not acceptable. A meeting of the Locarno Treaty signatories is being called for Tuesday at Paris. M. Flnndin will ask the League Council to be convoked. He approved of the military measures on the French frontier, and authorised the Ministers of War, Army and Air to prepare supplementary measures. The Chamber meets on Tuesday, when the Government will make a statement. Cabinet’s refusal to entertain HenHitler’s proposals is backed by a determination to demand economic and political sanctions against Germany. The Government further considers itself entitled to the immediate assistance of England and Italy under the Rhineland Pact. The Conference of Locarno Powers will discuss this crucial point in Paris on March 10, The Government has asked the League urgently to summon the Council, point-

ing out that despite Baron von Neurath’a announcement that Germany merely intended symbolically to send small detachments into the demilitarised zone, important forces had already appeared in several localities.

M. Sarraut (Prime Minister) flatly declines to negotiate with Germany, basing his refusal on her two unilateral repudiations of solemn engagements as destroying confidence in her offer; also on her unannounced entry into the Rhineland, thus facing Europe with a fait accompli. “ International relations could no longer exist,” declared M. Sarraut in the course of a broadcast, “ if this method became general. France serves European peace in opposing it. The mere installation of German troops along the Rhine forbids negotiations. We intend to insist on maintenance of the essential guarantees of Franco-Belgian security which Locarno provides. Strasbourg must not fall under the menace of German guns. It is indispensable that the signatories of Locarno must exchange views on Germany’s denunciation thereof. Our cause is just and strong. Herr Hitler makes the Franco-Russian Pact the pretext for his action. That is a poor excuse because the Pact has not yet been ratified by the Senate. His real object in acting now was to choose a time when the French people might be divided by a general election. No Frenchman merits the insult that he would allow internal differences to* cause France’s enslavement.” GERMAN OPINION ANGERED BERLIN, March 8. (Received March 9, at 11.30 p.m.) The French Cabinet decision that Herr Hitler’s memorandum was not acceptable has angered German opinion. It is asked whether France will once again “ throw away this decisive opportunity to bring about peace.” The Volkischer Boebachter expresses surprise at the primitive fashion in which the French actually swept aside Herr Hitler’s far-reaching proposals, “ Do they think they have the exclusive right in Paris alone to determine the fate of Europe and remove freedom from all other great peoples? We must hope that conversations with the diplomats of other nations will temper French stubbornness, and that Franco will realise that the peace of the whole Continent cannot be sacrificed for the sake of stupidity.” A NOTE FROM BELGIUM BRUSSELS. March 8. , Probably on lines similar to the French Note, Belgium will direct the League Council’s attention to Germany’s violation of Locarno. LEAGUE COUNCIL TO MEET GENEVA, March 8. Official: The Council will meet on March 13 to consider France’s protest, BRITAIN REMAINS CALM LONDON, March 8. It is true that the statement was received calmly by the English press, and the Government was most reserved. If it is possible to summarise the feeling, it may be said that the statement presents an opportunity of averting a threatened world war, but this is dependent on the French attitude. “NEW HOPE TO HUMANITY” LONDON, March 8. i The Daily Herald says the consequences of Herr Hitler’s action cannot thus far, even dimly, be foreseen. The situation to-day is, London cool, Berlin solidly behind Hitler, Paris planning the next move for Genova, and New York determined to “ keep out of Europe’s moss.” Other European capitals arc anxiously awaiting u lead from London and Paris. All reports from Paris agree that France will demand international sanctions against Germany. At the League Council this places Britain in the unenviable position of having led a sanctions movement against Italy. Ardent pacifists like Sir Philip Gibbs and Mr Lmisbnry believe that Herr Hitler’s action possibly will bring pence. Sir Philip Gibbs, willing in Hie Sunday Chronicle, says: "Herr Hitler gives a new hope to humanity. His seven points were inspired by a most generous spirit of peace, and if accepted will blow away the dark fears haunting the world’s soul. Refusal would be a criminal act against humanity.” NEW GERMAN ELECTION LAW BERLIN. March 8. Herr Hiller will shortly visit the Rhineland to inspect (lie newly-garri-soned towns, ns he did the Saar, A new election law has been gazetted depriving full-blooded .Tews of a vole in (he Reichstag elections, but citizens with only two Jewish grandparents arc enfranchised.

HOUR OF LIBERATION BERLIN, March 8. Dr Gocbhcls will open the election campaign at a mass meeting on Tuesday. Citizens at Karlsruhe threw flowers before the battalion of troops entering the town. Two companies have marched into Aix-la-Chapelle. A crowd packed the old aerodrome at Frankfort-on-Main when the troops arrived with an anti-aircraft gun. The burgomaster, in a message to the populace, said: “ This historic moment all citizens will remember in grateful enthusiasm, and will love the man to whom wo owe this long-awaited hour of liberation.” Storm Troopers lined the route of the infantry to Saarbrnekcn. Detachments from the German air force have marched into Mannheim. Only 200 Rcichwchr men occupied the Kehl bridgehead. Hundreds of Strasbourgcrs stood silently at the 'French end of the bridge. GERMAN COMMUNIQUE BERLIN, March 8. A Government communique repeats Herr Hitler’s statement that the French Government hold up publication of the interview with M. de Jouvenal on February 28 until the Franco-Soviet Pact had been ratified in the Chamber of Deputies. It says that the interview was known to the French Ambassador the same day as it was given, and must have been known by the French Government. the following day. It war only after the ratification —namely, a week after the interview —that the French Government instructed its Ambassador to ask Herr Hitler to define the offer more precisely. Messages from German correspondents in London emphasise the “ cold-blooded-ness ” with which Herr Hitler’s declaration was received in England. PROPOSALS FOR AIR PACT fßritish Official Wireless) RUGBY, March 8. It is interesting to note that, in regard to one of the points made in Herr Hitler’s memorandum —namely, the proposal for an air pact—representations had, with the full knowledge of the French Government, already been conveyed to the German Government by the British Foreign Secretary concerning Britain’s anxiety for entering upon discussions between the Western Powers on such a project. ITALIAN PRESS COMMENT ROME, March 8. Italian statesmen are silent, but the press insists that Germany would not have acted if British insistence on_ sanctions had not distracted the attention of the remainder of Europe. AUSTRIAN PRESS NERVOUS VIENNA. March 8. The press is nervous. The Tageblatt says: “We miss something vital from Herr Hitler’s declaration— namely, the offer to respect Austria’s integrity.” The Reichspost regards the offer _to rejoin the League as aimed at placating England, where, it expresses the opinion, the action will be considered most important on account of the Ttalo-Abys-sinian disphte. MR W. M. HUGHES’S VIEWS SYDNEY, March 9. Mr W. M. Hughes, summing up the European situation, said: “ There is no cause for alarm. At the most, there is no more cause for it than a week ago.” A CARDINAL’S THANKS COLOGNE, March 8. Cardinal Schulte (Archbishop of Cologne) has telegraphed his thanks to Herr Hitler for sending troops to the Rhineland. TROOPS IN THE RHINELAND PARIS March 3. (Received March 9 at 5.5 p.m.) The political unrest did not,pause cancellation of a -French team’s football match with a Stuttgart team. Very few attended though a large force of police was present in case of trouble. Bonn bridge over which the Germans inarched into the demilitarised zone, will be christened “ The Bridge of Liberation.” Frankfort-on-Main advice says inquiries in military circles indicate that the German troops occupying new garrisons in the Rhineland, where there was some difficulty in housing them, despite the hasty taking over of and other buildings, and in Baden Palatinate, the Saar, and Hesse, number 10,000. These 'represent detachments of the various arms, which may be brought up to normal strength in six months. The foreign press greatly exaggerates the number of troops entering the demilitarised zone. A BOAST INVALIDATED LONDON, March 8. (Received March 9, at 8 p.m.) The Times Berlin correspondent interprets Herr Hitler’s speech as an attempt to placate Britain and throw the responsibility on Franco for Germany’s action, which, however, docs not entail mere repudiation of a one-sided clause in the Versailles Treaty, but repudiation of the whole of the freely negotiated Treaty of Locarno, which Germany spontaneously signed and Herr Hitler repeatedly reasserted, declaring that be regarded the demilitarised zone as a contribution towards the appeasement of Europe. “Hitherto Herr Hitler has boasted that lie bad never broken a personal pledge. That assertion is now invalidated.” GERMANY AND ITALY LONDON, March 8. (Received March 9, at 8 p.m.) The Daily Mail’s Rome correspondent says: “While it is denied that Herr Hitler and Signor Mussolini arranged the denouncement of the Locarno Treaty, Italy is delighted, believing that Herr Hitler’s action will greatly strengthen Italy’s position because France increasingly values her friendship, and does not wish to do anything t j offend her.”

GENERAL BLOMBERG’S APPEAL BERLIN, March 8. Herr Hitler, the members of Cabinet, and diplomatists attended the annual memorial service for the World War dead, held in the State Opera House. General von Blomberg said: “ Whether there is peace or war does not depend on Germany. Hitler’s Germany is stronger than ever in unity, strength, and will.” He expressed thanks to the army for the restoration of Ger-

man military sovereignty in the Rhineland. Germany, in making herself strong, only followed the example of other nations, and could not be blamed for tlie rise in armaments. He appealed to the statesmen of other countries for consideration of Herr Hitler’s proposals in reason, not in passion. EFFECT ON MARKETS LONDON, March 8. (Received March 9, at 8.30 p.m.) The Daily Mail’s city editor says: “ The rapid change which came over the European political situation wjis calmly received by the city, which is not pessimistic, but Parisian selling of the franc unsettled the exchange market, necessitating intervention of the authorities in Paris, and the market was calmer before the close. Some quarters are of the opinion that the eventual outcome of Germany’s action will bo the removal of the causes of friction. While hesitancy can ho expected on Monday no marked change in markets is anticipated. There is no occasion for investors to sell.” BRITISH PRESS COMMENT LONDON, March 9. (Received March 9, at 11 p.m.) The Daily Mail, in a leader, deprecates regarding the Rhineland occupation as a crisis and recalls that Marshal Foch regarded it as eventually inevitable. The Mail urges rejection of sanctions against Germany and adds that her stroke has cleared the air and has not seriously affected France’s safety. The News-Chronicle, in a leader, says: “Herr Hitler’s invitation must be taken up without delay. European civilisation is unsafe while Germany suffers a sense of grievance. Refusal means war, while peace based on a contented Germany is better for France than a frontier manned in terror, of invasion.” The Times, in a leader, says: “Herr Hitler’s invasion of the Rhineland strikes Locarno’s weakest joint. Demilitarisation of the Rhineland was not destined to be permanent. There is a distinction between the present occupation and carrying fire and the sword into a neighbour’s territory.” The Times political correspondent says Mr Eden told the German Ambassador that Britain was bound to take a very serious view of the German violation of solemn pledges. The sending of troops into the Rhineland must be condemned. Germany had every right to state her objections to the Franco-Soviet Pact, but the action could have been along the lines of Locarno. Moreover, although realisation of Germany’s constructive aims is desirable, it is felt that the short cut of easy complacency towards Herr Hitler’s violation of his pledges might he the longest and perhaps the most disastrous road.”