THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES SATURDAY, MARCH 14, 1936. ANOTHER “GESTURE” NEEDED

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22830, 14 March 1936, Page 12

THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES SATURDAY, MARCH 14, 1936. ANOTHER “GESTURE” NEEDED

The meeting in London of the signatories to the Locarno Pact has made the declaration expected of it concerning the illegality of the German reoccupation of the demilitarised Bhineland zone. Apart from that, however, the conclusions of the conference are not revealed, but it is to be assumed that little or'no advance has been made toward the appeasement of the European tension.' France, as was to. be feared, has made the withdrawal of the occupying force a first condition for the opening of negotiations with Herr Hitler, but it is a stipulation to which the latter, in his present temper, is not likely to agree. He is prepared, it seems, to meet France half way. The communication, handed to Mr Eden by the German Ambassador does not say in as many words that the German troops will not be recalled, but emphasis is again laid on the German desire to have the occupation regarded purely as an act symbolic of the re-establishment of sovereignty in the Khineland. The troops, Herr Hitler assures the British Minister, will not be. moved; nearer to the frontiers, and their strength will not be increased above a peacetime quota. Such restrictions, it is added, will be enforced " during the negotiations." The inference is that negotiations might lead to a withdrawal, under a new arrangement for a demilitarised zone, but that during such negotiations the present situation is to continue. Herr Hitler is unrepentant, and he does not seem disposed to be conciliatory. " I assure you," he told a gigantic audience at Karlsruhe, " that nothing, absolutely nothing, will induce us to regret this regained sovereignty over the Khineland." .And yet it is in his power to offer convincing proof of his sincerity in seeking a lasting adjustment of German grievances. A method has been suggested by at least two British newspapers, representing almost diametrically opposed groups of political opinion. The Daily Telegraph makes the striking comment that " nothing could give such meaning and solidity to Herr Hitler's expressed desire for a long term of peace" as another gesture —this time the " symbolic evacuation" of the Rhineland zone before any demand is made. In such an act, it is represented, there would be "a practical assertion of the German desire for the inauguration of a period of European friendship, giving confidence in her adherence to any undertaking she might then sign." The appeal is echoed in the columns of the Labour organ, the Daily Herald, which expresses the opinion that a gesture of withdrawal on Herr Hitler's part would "immeasurably strengthen his position at the council table and in the eyes of the world." In the Labour newspaper, however, there is a significant/expansion of the idea. A plea is addressed to France not to insist on withdrawal, and it is then added: " Whoever makes the gesture that clears the way for negotiation will earn the gratitude of the world. Whoever refuses it will, if folly and obstinacy are to triumph, bear the blame for whatever consequences may follow." Either Germany or France ean open the door to a council chamber where reason might be given an opportunity to make a lasting contribution to the cause of peace. The privilege of opening, that door rightly belongs to Germany. But if she is disinclined to avail herself of it, it will be well if France realises that, in the existing circumstances, what is wanted above all is common sense, not stubbornness.