FRANCE DETERMINED

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22827, 11 March 1936, Page 9

FRANCE DETERMINED

SOVIET PACT TO BE RATIFIED REPLY TO “GERMAN PROVOCATION” BRITAIN CONSULTS LOCARNO POWERS LEAGUE COUNCIL MEETING ON FRIDAY (United Press Association.) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) PARIS, March 10. (Received March 11, at 0.30 a.m.) It is understood that an attempt will be made to rush the Franco-Soviet pact through the Senate on March 12 without a debate. It is stated that many Senators who previously either opposed or wished to delay ratification in order to rob Herr Hitler of even this excuse for treaty breaking are now prepared to support it as a reply to “ German provocation.” M. Flandin is reported to have assured M. Potemkin, the Soviet Ambassador, that the pact will be fully effective before the week-end.

GERMAN MEMORANDUM BRITAIN’S ATTITUDE STATEMENT IN PARLIAMENT (British Official Wireless) RUGBY, March 9. The attitude of the British Government towards the developments which occurred in Germany on Saturday was revealed in the House of Commons by Mr Eden. He began his recital with the visit to the Foreign Office on March 6 at his invitation of the German Ambassador, to whom Mr Eden made the proposal which the British Ambassador had made to the German Chancellor on December 13, that the Powers signatory to the Treaty of Locarno should proceed with the negotiation of an air pact, the conclusion of which the British Government considered would constitute a stabilising element in the relations of the three great Western Powers, adding that the British Government was genuinely anxious to convert into practical results the sentiments so often expressed in speeches. On March 7 the German Ambassador again visited the Foreign Office, and informed Mr Eden that he had a communication of very great importance to make to him, and handed him a memorandum. Mr Eden drew

the following day. His Majesty’s Government will he represented at these conversations by the Lord Privy Seal and myself. “The House will no doubt expect some immediate indication of the ideas and intentions with which the representative of his Majesty’s Government must approach at Geneva the problem, the development of which is as yet in some important respects obscure. It is clearly desirable to do this, for no one can fail to realise the stabilising force of clear-sighted and united British opinion in the affairs of Europe at this juncture. “Let us not delude ourselves. The course taken by the German Government in unilaterally repudiating obligations into which it had freely entered, and in simultaneously acting as if they did not exist, both complicates and aggravates the international situation. Abrogation of the Locarno Treaty and occupation of the demilitarised zone have - profoundly shaken confidence in any engagement into which the Government of Germany may in future enter. There can be no one in this House or this country who would wish to condone or excuse such a step. It strikes a severe blow at that principle of sanctity of treaties which underlies the whole structure of international relations.

“ There is, I am thankful to say,” continued Mr Eden, “no reason to suppose that the present German action implies a threat of hostilities. The German Government, in its memorandum, expresses an unchangeable longing for the real pacification of Europe and expresses its willingness to conclude a nonaggression pact with France and Belgium, but, in case there should be any misunderstanding about its position as a signatory to the Locarno Treaty, his Majesty’s Government thinks it necessary to say that, should there take place during the period which; will be necessary for consideration of the new situation which has arisen, any actual attack upon France or Belgium which would constitute violation of Article II of the Locarno Treaty, his Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom, notwithstanding German repudiation of the treaty, would regard itself as in honour bound to come in the manner provided in the treaty to the assistance of the country attacked. It must be obvious to all that, in the exacting, circumstances, the transition from the bad past to a better future will be an arduous and a hazardous enterprise. One of the main foundations of the peace of Western Europe*has been cut away, and, if peace is to be secured there, it is our manifest duty to rebuild it. “ It is in that spirit we may approach the new proposals of the German Chancellor,” added Mr Eden. “ His Majesty’s Government will examine them clearsightedly and objectively with a view to finding out to what extent tiicy represent the means by which the shaken structure of peace can again be strengthened. In the anxious circumstances of the present time I feel justified in asking all sections of opinion in this House for their support in the exacting and arduous task which now confronts the combined wisdom and statesmanship of the world.” Sir Austen Chamberlain asked Mr Eden whether the German proposals were confined to the east and west frontiers, and whether the Government would undertake to consider Britain’s interest in maintaining-the independence and integrity of Austria. Mr Eden replied that Germany’s offer was limited to her eastern and western neighbours. He would answer the second part of the question in the affirmative. Mr Eden then hurried from the House and later left for Paris. COOL RECEPTION AT GENEVA LONDON, March 10. (Received March 11, at 0,30 a.m.) The Daily Telegraph’s Geneva correspondent says: “Mr Eden’s speech was coolly received. It was generally hoped that lie would adopt a firmer attitude. It is pointed out that Germany, having attained her immediate aim by reoecupying the Rhineland and tearing up tile Locarno Treaty, has no interest in attacking either Franco or Belgium at present. Mr Eden’s statement that Britain will support France and Belgium in the event of such an attack is therefore regarded as being outside the realm of practical politics.” CHALLENGE OF AUTOCRACIES LONDON, March 0. (Received March 10, at 5.5 p.m.) Sir Samuel Hoaro said: “If wc are to meet the challenge of totalitarian autocracies wo must he prepared to make great changes in our system of defence and face heavy expenditure. I believe Herr Hitler’s action was a hlinUiT, 1 was going to say a crime, but I do not wish to use hard words. I believe it shakes the whole foundation of international agreements, and therefore I agree with Mr Eden’s statement. Nevertheless, I hope we will do our utmost to get a good result from an unfortunate act.” Mr R. Cary (Con.) urged that any scheme of defence should he an Empire scheme with, if the dominions are agreeable, an Em>dre scheme for mobilisation. Mr J. M’Govem (Lab.) said: “If the Government puts anna into the hands of the working class their duty should he to’overthrow capitalism, just as it is the duty of the German working class to remove Herr Hitler, General Goering

attention to the salient points in the memorandum, and at the same time told the Ambassador that he deeply regretted the information about the action the German Government was taking respecting the demilitarised zone. The Ambassador would appreciate that this amounted to unilateral repudiation of a treaty freely negotiated and freely signed. He added that the Gorman Chancellor at their first meeting in Berlin had drawn a clear distinction between the Treaty of Locarno and the Treaty of Versailles, and emphasised that Germany had freely signed the former. He also told the Ambassador that he was aware of the view of the German Government as to the effect of a Franco-Soviet pact. That view was not, however, shared by other signatories to the treaty, and if the German Government, despite the opinions of the other signatories, still maintained its own conclusion, then there was proper arbitration procedure available for its use. , As to later parts of the Ambassador s communication, Mr Eden in his interview said his Majesty’s Government would have to consider these, but clearly the declaration in respect to Germany’s attitude towards the League was most important. The Ambassadors at this point informed Mr Eden that the German Government’s decision in regard to the League was to a large extent due to its desire to meet tlm views frequently expressed by the Prime Minister and himself when they emphasised that the policy of his Majesty’s Government was based upon the League and upon collective security. Germany, he said, was willing to share in such a policy, and there were no conditions attached to her r f,f itrn to the League, while the German Government expected that in dim time tli n Covenant would be divorced from the Treaty of Versailles and the question of colonial equality of ri"nts settled. These were not conditions, but matters for negotiation subsequent to Germany’s return to the League. “ I do not need to onipliMsise the irnnovtnnee of this communication." Mr Eden proceeded. “T* may he well for m „ to inform the Bouse of the steps which arc to he talma in the immediate future. Tim French and Belgian Governments, with the Full knowledge and agreement of his Majesty’s Government, have asked that the Council of the League be summoned as soon as possible to consider the situation. T must emphasise that the Council of the League is the proper body for (bis purpose. The Council will, it is nmWstood, meet on Friday next and no decisions emu of course be reached in advance of That, meeting, but exchange of views will take place in Paris to-morrow between the representatives of the four Locarno Powers other than Germany, and these conversations will be resumed'at Geneva

and Dr Goebbels, wbo are three of the greatest scoundrels the world has ever known.” The debate was adjourned. The Sun-Herald Agency says: “The immediate reactions to Mr Eden’s statement were very favourable, and opinion in the lobbies was that it would have a very steadying effect on the Continent, The House, which was earlier in a grim mood, was noticeably reassured when Mr Eden declared that there was no reason to suppose that the present German action implied a threat of hostilities. Prolonged cheers of approval interrupted Mr Eden’s declaration that Germany had profoundly shaken confidence in any future engagement into which the German Government might enter. FRANCE DISAPPOINTED PARIS, March 9. (Received March 10, at 8 p.m.) Mr Eden’s speech surprised and disappointed Prance, especially the statement that Britain was prepared to examine objectively Herr Hitler’s proposals. It was hoped that Mr Eden would support M. Sarraut’s point-blank refusal to negotiate as long as German troops remained in the demilitarised zone. By failing to do so, it is maintained that the British Government accepted Herr Hitler’s fait accompli. GERMAN PRESS OPINION LONDON, March 9. (Received March 10, at 8 p.m.) The Daily Telegraph’s Berlin correspondent says Mr Eden's speech reassured Germany. The Berliner Tagcblatt says: “ The speech contains what it had to contain from the British and League viewpoint, namely, formal condemnation of the German step—necessary consoling words for Prance.” The Deutsche Allgemeinc Zeitung says: “Mr Eden’s declaration was what we expected. It opens the door to reasonable conversations regarding the future.” The Kolnische Zeitung says: “Germany recognised with satisfaction that the British Government has not lost its head and does not regard Germany’s resumption of full sovereignty over German Rhineland as a hostile act.” NO QUESTION OF EVACUATION LONDON. March 9. (Received March 10, at 8 p.m.) The Times Berlin correspondent says; “ Official quarters arc probably acutely relieved that the French have not entered the Rhineland in order to counter the German advance. However, the risk was light, otherwise Germany would not have reoccupied the zone. Nevertheless, it existed in the Gorman mind. With this danger overcome the German newspapers began to emphasise the concession Germany would be making by reentrance to the League, while anxiety whether France would propose sanctions was minimised as the opinion was expressed that the practical people of Britain do not desire further disturbances of trade. The Germans are prepared to uphold the legality of the denunciation of Locarno, pointing out that M. Plandin’s offer to submit the issue to The Hague Court was rejected because it involved a political issue, which the court is not competent to decide. The Germans are also prepared to argue that Germany is not guilty of aggression, as only two divisions re-entered a district which was formerly occupied by six army corps, and an intention to undertake hostilities was manifestly absent. However, armed police, consisting of nine battalions, almost equivalent to another division, have been absorbed into the army of occupation, which is estimated at 45.000 men. Whatever happens at Geneva, there is no question of again evacuating the zone, although it is understood that deinternationalisation of rivers will not be introduced into the present discussions. FRENCH STIPULATION PARIS, March 10, (Received. March 10, at 8 p.m.) Prance has moved up 150,000 troops, half of the normal home force, to the Maginot line. It has been authoritatively stated that Fiance is ready to negotiate with Germany provided the troops arc withdrawn and a conference held at Geneva within the framework of the League. GESTURE OF FRIENDSHIP BERLIN, March 10. (Received March 10, at 8 p.m.) The French condition of withdrawal is regarded ,as out of the question, although it has been reported that German troops are forbidden to approach within eight miles of the frontier as a gesture of friendship to France. RESPECT FOR TREATIES LONDON, March 9. (Received March 10, at 8 p.m.) The Australian Associated Press understands that the British and Australian standpoint at the League Council meeting will favour condemnation of Germany’s unilateral denunciation of Locarno and will emphasise that respect for freely negotiated treaties must bo the basis of any attempt to rebuild European peace, but will resist the French and Belgian demands for ..ny form of sanctions against Germany because although the treaty was broken aggression was not committed. The Daily Telegraph says; “ The city is notably calm in face of the European developments. All sections of the stock markets as a precaution marked down, but selling pressure did not develop.” FURTHER BREACH OF TREATY BERLIN. March 9. It is reliably learned that Germany intends to break another section of the Versailles Treaty and renationalise the Rhine, the Danube. 1 In: Oder, the Elbe, and the Moselle Rivers. Germany has aln .dy informed the interested Governments that, with reassnmption of full sovereignty of German territory, she will no longer he able to recognise the jurisdiction of tbo river commissions. DOMINIONS’ DIFFICULTIES LONDON. March 9. Every dominion High Commissioner was present during Mr Eden’s statement in the House of Commons and took notes in the gallery. This strikingly illustrated the dominions’ difficulties when an emergency like the present arises, and events move so quickly that it is impossible adequately to consult the dominions. Admittedly such a situation rarely arises, hut proves that consultation machinery in times of crises must inevitably suffer.

VIOLATION OF TREATY BRITISH PRESS COMMENT (British Official Wireless) RUGBY, March 9. This morning Mr Eden, who was accompanied by Sir William Malkin, the Foreign Office legal adviser, had a consultation with the Prime Minister. The conversations between the Locarno Powers are likely to he continued during the intervals of the proceedings at Geneva. British newspapers comment at some length on the Rhineland situation. Broadly stated, they consider it a mather of great misfortune that Germany should have vitiated a scheme of proposals, several of which contain much constructive value, by violation of a treaty which was not forced upon her, but freely negotiated. The Times says; “Herr Hitler’s violation of solemn treaty pledges might prove to be the longest and, perhaps, a disastrous road. Britain has held France to the League Covenant and the policy of collective action through the trying course of the Italo-Abyssinian dispute. She is in honour bound to remain true to her own pledges in full consideration of the position of France. A firm stand for the sanctity of international obligations—the foundation of the League of Nations —need not, however, .it is thought in London, preclude the fullest use of diplomacy in the weeks and months ahead to the end of establishing settled peace. The Daily Telegraph says: “Britain in other circumstances would have welcomed unreservedly the suggestion of Germany’s return to the League but for the actual circumstances—flagrant repudiation of treaties, assertion and glorification of overpowering military strength. The surest means Herr Hitler could have adopted to draw France and Russia closer together was to send German troops into the Rhineland and denounce the Locarno Pact.” The Daily Herald, while recognising the “definite and deplorable” fact that Germany has deliberately broken not only the dictated Treaty of Versailles but the freely negotiated Treaty of Locarno, thinks wisdom requires that when the League Council meets it shall devote itself to the constructive task of making, with this as an opportunity, a new, more equitable, and, therefore, more lasting settlement. The Manchester Guardian’s diplomatic correspondent states the military significance of Herr Hitler’s action lies in the enormous strategical advantage that control of the demilitarised zone gives her against France, and favours any probable plan for any advance on Paris through the Dutch province of Limbourg, and through Belgium and Luxembourg. Herr Hitler has gone a long way on 1 the road to realising what he declared in his book “ Mein Kamjif ” was one of the chief aims of German policy—“to overthrow France ” The French people are convinced that their continued existence depends on the attitude of Britain. which France is watching with really tragic concern. FRENCH FRONTIER FORCES PARIS, March 9. Specially trained troops are taking up positions on the formidable Maginot line of fortifications. The War Ministry, however, emphasises that these do not represent war strength. No troops have been brought to the Rhine from other parts of France. Regiments from the garrisons at Metz and Thionville have been moved up to complete the manning of the fortifications. All other troops in the vicinity of the Rhineland are still confined to barracks. It is now revealed that the plans for reoccupation of the Rhineland were carried out with typical German thoroughness, but observers are struck by the extreme youth of the soldiers, whose average age is 20, Many • arc almost schoolboys. French newspapers say that wellinformed quarters in Germany are surprised and dismayed at the world-wide disapproval of Germany’s action, as they were placing their hopes in Britain as an outside arbitrator. “FRANCE’S LAST BIG CHANCE” BERLIN, March 9. The Official Spokesman denounced France’s intransigeance, declaring that Herr Hitler’s offer is France’s last big chance. France can now have security as never before. BITTERNESS IN FRANCE LONDON, March 9. The Manchester Guardian editorially emphasises Germany’s disregard of M. Flandin’s offer to submit the FrancoSoviet Pact to The Hague Court and her destruction of a treaty into which she freely entered. The Guardian's Paris correspondent says naturally there is much wild talk, not excluding words of mobilisation and war. Feeling is most bitter, though this does not mean that French opinion at present favours marching into the Rhineland. But it is certain that Herr Hitler's action has brought the danger of war nearer. Tin’s latest “ peace of Attila” diplomacy confirms the impression, long entertained, that Herr Hitler wants, above all, a free hand in the East and hegemony in Eastern and Central Europe, after which he would have Prance at his mercy. BELGIAN NOTE TO LEAGUE BRUSSELS, March 9. The Government has sent a brief Note to the League drawing attention to Germany’s violation of the Locarno Treaty. BALKAN SUPPORT PROMISED PARIS, March 9. The Balkan Little Ententes have notified full support for France in upholding the Locarno Treaty. ITALY AND LOCARNO ROME. March 9. It is announced in Rome that Italy has not decided her attitude towards Locarno, which will depend largely on the withdrawal of sanctions. APPREHENSION IN AUSTRIA VIENNA, Marc!- 0. The apprehension is growing (hat the ir-mpalinn of the Rhineland is a prelude to (lie invasion of Austria, especially as Italy is preoccupied with Abyssinia. POLISH REARMAMENT LOAN WARSAW, March 9. The Polish Senate is considering a proposal for a £20.000,000 rearmament loan. Poland has assured the French Ambassador that Poland is adhering to the Franco-Polish alliance of 1921, under which she agrees to assist France if attacked.

LONDON STOCK MARKETS LONDON, March 9. The city took the international crisis calmly. Gilt-edged and other stocks were marked down, but there was no panic selling. NEGOTIATIONS INEVITABLE LONDON, March 10. (Received March 11, at 0.30 a.m.) The Paris correspondent of the NewsChronicle says: “It is beginning to he realised that negotiations with Germany are inevitable and that the Government’s attitude merely rendered it far more difficult than it need have been.” The News-Chronicle’s Brussels correspondent says: “It has authoritatively been stated that the Belgian Government will oppose sanctions against Germany for two main reasons: First, because juridically Germany has not perpetrated any aggression against France or Belgium; secondly, because it is impossible to ask Italy to join in sanctions against Germany when Italy herself is subject to sanctions. The Belgian Government is sceptical of Herr Hitler’s offer of new treaties, hut expresses the opinion that it would be a blunder to reject the proposals, as it is felt that nothing would be lost by negotiating with Germany.” NEW YORK MARKETS SHAKEN NEW YORK, March 10. (Received March 10, at 10.30 p.m.) The financial editor of the New York Times states that anxiety over the warlike course of events in Europe shook the financial markets to-day. Foreign currencies fluctuated violently, first falling and then recovering. Stocks, after moving uneasily most of the day, fell under a sharp burst of selling over the last hour that knocked representative issues as much as four points downward. There was, however, no disposition to look for wholesale withdrawal of foreign money from this market. The opinion of most bankers was that the first effects of increased war talk would more likely be to send additional foreign money here. Yet Germany’s action baa been sudden and disturbing. Comment from the nation’s capital continued meagre. Senator Lewis, however, made a curious though interesting statement. He declared in the Senate to-day that Herr Hitler would never have dared to move troops into the Rhineland had not Britain and France alienated the goodwill of the United States by refusing to pay their war debts. The default of war debtors, he said, had made the American people no longer concerned with the enforcement of the Versailles Treaty. : “It is now the duty of this Government to keep its hands off and refuse all advances to signatories to the treaty seeking military or monetary aid.” '