THE GERMAN REPLY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22832, 17 March 1936, Page 9

THE GERMAN REPLY

GENERALLY DISAPPOINTING WILL ATTEND COUNCIL MEETING • UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS REQUEST FOR EQUAL TREATMENT (United Press Association.) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) LONDON, March 15. (Received March 16, at 10 p.m.) Herr Hitler’s reply, signed by Baron von Neurath, states; « Germany is prepared in principle to accept the invitation and assumes that her representatives will participate on equal terms with representatives of the Powers in the Council’s discussions. Germany must draw attention to the following fundamental considerations, namely, the German Government’s action, which led to the summoning pf the Council by France and Belgium, does not consist merely in the restoration of German sovereignty in the Rhineland, but is bound up with comprehensive concrete proposals to give a new assurance of peace in Europe. The German Government regards its political action as a whole, the component parts of which cannot be separated from one another. Therefore, Germany can participate in the Council proceedings only if she is assured that the Powers concerned are prepared to enter into negotiations forthwith regarding her proposals.”

COMMENT IN THE TIMES ' LONDON. March 10. (Received March 16, at 10.30 p.m.) Commenting on Herr Hitlers reply, a Times leader says: “There need be no difficulty over the first condition. The second is a rational interpretation of the League’s functions if it means that Germany must be permitted to attend not merely as an offender for sentence but also as a partner in the deliberations to preclude future treaty breaking by bringing all European nations within the League as equals. The League is not a court of law, but a political body existing to maintain peace by agreement. The League Powers must | duly declare that there has been a flagrant breach of Locarno, but their larger responsibility Is fo restore and strengthen what is broken, Herr Hitler cannot mean to require the League to accept his incursion into the Rhineland as a normal occurrence, but it would not be unreasonable if the Council, after condemning the offence, should forthwith consider the proposals in extenuation and as a guarantee against recurrence.” The Daily Telegraph’s diplomatic correspondent points out that the League Council’s decisions must be unanimous, therefore if Germany’s condition of equality is granted she could block the Council’s decision by her own vote. He adds that the reply is regarded in British Ministerial circles as totally unacceptable and mischievous, in an apparent attempt to drive a wedge between France and Britain, SECRET MEETING OF COUNCIL LONDON, March 15. (Received March 16, at 10 p.m.) British circles, though amenable to Herr Hitler’s request for equal treatment, regard the reply generally as disappointing. However, the Council must decide at a secret meeting on March 16 whether Germany’s conditions are acceptable. The Times Berlin correspondent says: “ Herr Hitler and his colleagues arc unanimous that they arc not willing to sit at a council table at which the exclusive subjects tar discussion will be the guilt or otherwise of Germany regarding the violation of the Locarno and Versailles Treaties. Meanwhile Berlin life proceeds normally, though the Nazi lenders arc in constant conclave regarding preparations to stand an economic siege and resist military invasion, though the latter is not now seriously expected ” M. FLANDIN’S DECLARATION LONDON. March 15. (Received March 16 at 10.30 p.rn.) M. Flandin, who was interviewed, formally refused to admit Herr Hitler's proposals to discuss Locarno simultaneously with the peace suggestions because he (M. Flandin) came to London to enable violation of the Locarno Treaty to be recorded. “ I will not agree to discuss anything else, 1 will, if necessary, leave London and even the Council.” LEAGUE’S FUTURE AT STAKE PARIS, March 15. (Received March 16, at 10 p.m.) The opinion is generally expressed that the League's future is at stake. Herr Hitler’s reply caused surprise because the conditions are' regarded as tantamount to refusal. France will not change her policy, considering that the Council's main discussions must be negotiations or no negotiations, sanctions or no sanctions. The entire Cabinet supports M. Flandin’s statement. M. Sarraut has received a telegram from members of the general municipal councils at Sidi Bel Abbes, headquarters of the Foreign Legion in Algeria, assuring the Government in the name of the Moslem population of its inalienable at r tachment to France and willingness to defend the country’s rights.

GERMAN LEADERS DIFFER LONDON, March 16. (Received March 16, at 10 p.m.) The Daily Telegraph’s Berlin correspondent says: “Differences between Dr Schacht and Herr Keppler, Herr Hitler’s personal economic head, were brought to a head by the former’s letter

severing relations with Herr Kcppler. It is generally felt that if it comes to a choice Herr Hitler will retain Dr' Schacht, who has the support of the army, .which is now stronger since the Rhineland occupation. The feeling is growing that Germany has not scored a walkover by her Rhineland policy, not only in official quarters but among the general public, chiefly through the fear that the policy itself is driving Britain into French and Belgian arms, thereby encompassing her own encirclement. The feeling has been intensified since Poland came down emphatically on the side of collective security.” EARLIER MESSAGES THE REPLY AWAITED LONDON, March 15. Herr Hitler’s reply to the League invitation is now expected late in the afternoon. The League Council anxiously awaits it. There is considerable discussion in diplomatic circles in London concerning Herr Hitler’s declaration in his Munich speech that the German Government will not tolerate being continually dragged before international tribunals. The Observer’s diplomatic correspondent says: “ One of the decisive considerations which arc understood to have influenced Saturday’s conversations in London was the clear fact that unless means could bo discovered for bringing Germany into the conversations there was no alternative to convening the Council at once and recommending economic and financial sanctions.” BRITAIN’S CHOICE LONDON, March 15. It was unofficially stated that HenHitler is accepting the League Council’s invitation, with two important reservations. His reply was received at St. James’s Palace at 7 p.m. It was translated by the League Secretariat and circulated among members of the League. The Sun-Herald Agency says that why the Foreign Office viewpoint is inevitably carrying considerable weight is that the public is unable to grasp realities. Probably it is not so pro-German as is generally imagined. The Foreign Office feels that, if Herr Hitler’s coup de force is allowed to succeed, war will occur within a few months. The Foreign Office is thus endeavouring to bring Cabinet to this viewpoint, saying that Britain must either support France and Belgium or break her pledges, meaning the immediate death of the League and collective security, with the reiutroduetion of menacing alliances and war. BRITISH PRESS COMMENT “A GREAT OPPORTUNITY ” (British omclal Wireless! RUGBY, March 15. Outstanding features in the press comment on the international situation are eloquent appeals in leading articles in The Times and the Daily Telegraph to Herr Hitler to rise to the greatness of his opportunity by making a contribution to appeasement. The Daily Telegraph says: “The procedure of appeal to the League Council which France has adopted presents HenHitler with the greatest opportunity a man could have for a glorious place in history. He can approach the League as he could approach no individual Power. He can concede to the public

opinion of Europe everything national pride might forbid him to offer to a single nation.” The Telegraph says that one simple gesture would transform Herr Hitler’s figure in the eyes of his own generation from a menace to a leader of Europe in its progress towards higher civilisation. One step more is required —withdrawal. That could infringe in not the slightest degree his assertion of German sovereignty, but would picserve the sanctity of treaties and calm all Western Europe. To do that would open an era of hope which the perplexed world has not seen since 1914. The Times says the proposals which the German leader has made have been widely welcomed in Britain as offering a chance to rebuild the peace of the world on wider and surer foundations, hut they have been accompanied by an action which has ringed them with a harrier of doubt. Those who are most disposed to seize the opportunity offered of re-establishing European equality have most reason to invite the small contribution, temporary by its very nature, which is now necessary to remove the obstacle that he has himself created and thus enable negotiations to begin. There is no implication of any surrender of, or restriction upon, German sovereignty, for the negotiations would take place upon a basis of complete recognition of Germany’s sovereignty and equality of rights. The Times points out that Germany’s threatened choice of honourable isolation is no more than condemning herself to selfencirclement, although it is of encirclement her spokesmen so often complain. A press message from Berlin indicates that the German reply to the invitation to the League sitting which it is expected will he delivered to-morrow will be in the affirmative. The German Foreign Office, it is stated, is in touch with Herr Hitler, who will nominate the German representative to attend the Council. According to the same reports the news of the invitation was warmly welcomed by the German public. BRITAIN AS MEDIATOR LONDON, March 15. The Sun-Herald says: “ Although for every hour of the week since Herr Hitler remilitarised the Rhineland the Governments throughout Europe have displayed diplomatic activity not equalled since the war, there has not been a single development either improving or making the situation worse. The meetings in London have at least served to emphasise the importance of Britain’s position as mediator, proving more conclusively than ever that she, more than anyone, must decide whether the crisis will end in war or peace. Britain’s position is becoming more difficult daily. Public opinion passionately demands peace at any price. The populace remains proGerman, despite resentment "at Herr Hitler’s violation of treaties, mainly because of the conviction that if Herr Hitler’s offer is ignored Germany will simultaneously be isolated and war will be inescapable. “ Cabinet realises that the public is strongly against war, hut Cabinet is not unanimous. A majority advocates full exploration of the possibilities of conciliating Herr Hitler, while others insist on whole-hearted co-operation with France and Belgium. However, Cabinet’s dilemma has been relieved by a swing of opinion in the House of Commons towards the fulfilment of obligations, whatever Herr Hitler may do.” GERMAN PRESS CAUTIOUS BERLIN, March 15. The press comments cautiously on the invitation extended to Germany by the League Council, though it seems to believe that there are indications of favourable developments for Germany. Germany’s reply to the invitation will not be known until Herr Hitler consults his departmental chiefs. He sped hack to Berlin from Munich by special aeroplane. GERMAN PARADE ABANDONED FRANKFORT-ON-MAIN, March 15. A big parade of Rhineland troops, which was intended to be held on March 16, has been abandoned. The troops will merely he inspected in their barracks. It seems possible that the cancelling of the parade may be regarded as a symbolical concession to French opinion. The parade had been planned on a grand scale, and several thousand troops from other garrisons besides Frankfort would have participated. TENSION GROWING LONDON, March 15. The Strasbourg correspondent of The Times says that tension is growing, though it is stated in official circles that there is no reason for alarm. No new events are anticipated before next week; nevertheless the British consulate lias been warned to be prepared for any eventuality. THE LOCARNO POWERS INTERCHANGE OF VIEWS (British Official Wireless) RUGBY, March 10. The meeting of the Locarno Powers other than Germany was resumed at the Foreign Office late on Saturday afternoon. Previously the British delegation had been in consultation with the Prime Minister and other members of Cabinet. A communique issued at the end of the meeting said: After a further exchange of views the committee of the Ministers of the Powers signatory to and guarantors of the Locarno Treaty decided to hold the next meeting as soon as the Council of the League of Nations reached its decision upon the communication submitted to it by the French and Belgian Governments. Comment on the international situation in to-day’s newspapers is affected by the uncertainty of the German reply to the invitation to attend the League Council. Both “Scrutator” in the Sunday Times and Mr •!. L. Garvin in the Observer examine tiro crisis in its implications, and each in a different manner stresses that it is the supreme task before statesmen to avoid dangers and seize the opportunities of the situation. The Sunday Times, in a leading article, joins in the appeal to the German Chancellor to make a gesture on the grounds that the issues boil down very largely to a question of confidence. “Let it he repeated I hat it is not the German claim or the ' German offer, but the German method which made Europe’s present crisis so perilous.” Sir Austen Chamberlain and Mr Winston Churchill both spoke of the crisis at Birmingham. Mr Churchill, who declared that whatever befell there could he no question of England repudiating her solemn obligations, urged that in conformity with the French offer (lie hearing of the Franco-Soviet; Pact on the Locarno treaties should he submitted to the World Court, but Germany must be encouraged to place herself within the law as a preliminary to all discussion about the future. Sir Austen Chamberlain recalled the origins of the Locarno treaties, which, he said, were a contribution more to the security of Germany than of France. What was at stake, he declared, was this: “Is there any international morality or law, or have we returned to the rule of force, in which the strongest does what he likes and the weakest goes to the wall?”

Mr Eden spent a considerable time to-day with officials at the Foreign Office, but there were no formal Ministerial talks of my kind pending receipt by the Secretary-general of the League in London of the German reply to the Council’s invitation. There has been a comparative lull in negotiations. It is known that the British member of the Council was one of those who gave the strongest support at yesterday’s private meeting to the proposal that a special invitation be addressed to the German Government to take its part in examination of the matter which has been brought before the League by the French and Belgian Governments, and it is understood that the British Ambassador at Berlin (Sir Eric Phipps) informed the German Government of the great importance which the British Government attaches to acceptance of this invitation _ as facilitating the difficult negotiations and being an earnest desire for an amicable settlement. The news of the receipt of the German reply, therefore, has been eagerly awaited in London all day.