“A HERALD OF PEACE”

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22835, 20 March 1936, Page 9

“A HERALD OF PEACE”

*+♦ SPEECH BY HERR HITLER NO DESIRE TO BE DICTATOR DEMAND FOR EQUALITY REITERATED WILD ENTHUSIASM IN BERLIN (United Press Association.) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) BERLIN, March 18. (Received March 19, at 5.5 p.m.) Herr Hitler, amid wild enthusiasm, delivered an election speech in Konigsberg, in which he confessed he had not wished to bo dictator, but could not otherwise have assumed responsibility. He described himself as a herald of peace in Europe, and sounded the customary note about fighting for German equality in the comity of nations. He emphasised the impossibility of basing the League of Nations on dictates, adding that he might have taken things more easily and remained in the League, submitted to Germany’s inequality of armaments and steered a comfortable course. He might steer it even now. Nevertheless, nobody would understand Germany’s arguments unless she stood up for herself, but she did not wish to harm anyone. No power on earth, however, could deter him from the decision taken. Germany must support him to the utmost of her power. Her democracy was a different democracy to that of other peoples. She had no intention of imposing specific German democracy upon them.

THE LEAGUE COUNCIL PUBLIC SESSION RESUMED LONDON, March 18. Mr R. A. Eden was the first speaker at the resumed public session of the League Council. He said: “The structure of security and confidence has been ■eriously shaken. The British Government will take full part in the work of reconstruction, especially in the organisation of security for Western Europe, I have already stated before the Council the Government’s view that a patent and incontestable breach of the Treaty of Versailles relating to the demilitarised zone has been committed. The Government is of opinion it would be right for the Council to come to a similar conclusion and to notify the finding to the Locarno signatories.” Mr Eden continued: “ It is the Council’s duty not merely to declare that a breach has been committed, but to work for the preservation of peace. The Locarno Treaty aimed at preserving peace and solemnly safeguarding the security of Western Europe. The German Government, which emphasised repeatedly that its aim was peace and restoration of confidence, will surely recognise with other Governments that confidence depends on the belief in the sanctity of treaties. It is essential, not merely that peace be maintained, but that the spectre of war should be exorcised in the future. To that end all lines of approach should be examined. Advantage may be taken of two elements of the situation. First, Germany’s breach, however plain, did not carry an imminent threat of hostilities, and has not involved immediate action, for which in certain circumstances Locarno provides. Secondly, the situation, however grave, carries with it opportunities. I welcome M. Van Zeeland’s declaration that, in spite of what has happened, treaties will be required in future, and that an effort must be made to reconstruct international life.” Mr Eden concluded by hoping that the collective wisdom of the Council would suggest a course best designed to secure the maintenance of peace on the foundation of respect for the law. Signor Grandi said Itaiy_ was fully conscious of its responsibilities, and remained faithful to its engagements. It could not be expected that Italy would join in the application of measures to which her own people had been subjected. “ It is regrettable that the political basis on which Locnaro rests should have been undermined by sanctions being applied against Italy at a moment when Italy is needed as a guarantor for the security of Europe,” said Signor Grandi. M. Beck (Poland) said the Rhineland occupation was a fact to which the Council should bear witness, but he thought that the surrounding circumstances were rather a matter for the Locarno signatories. LITTLE ENTENTE’S VIEW LONDON, March 18. M. Titulescu (Rumania) said the Little Entente countries had only one answer: “Yes; violation had been committed." They were not opposed to a discussion of Germany’s peace plan, but this must occur at the opportune moment —namely, after the question raised by France and Belgium had been satisfactorily answered. . Senor Jarcia declared that Spain would support the contention of France and Belgium. ' , .. M. Munch (Denmark) hoped that Hie negotiations after -the present session of the Council would achieve a durable peace and give the peoples of the world that feeling of security which they ardently desired. Senor Guinazn (Argentina) supported France and Belgium, and held that treaties should not he denounced unilaterally unless such denunciation was explicitly provided for, THE GERMAN DELEGATION LONDON, March 18. Herr von Ribbentrop's party arrived at Croydon at 5.7 p.m., and was met by Baron von -Hoesch. The Locarno representatives met at 12.15 p.im, and adjourned at 3.35 without reaching a decision. The meeting will resume at 10 p.m. Herr von Ribhentrop sent a message that he would be unable to attend any meeting to-day. Mr Bruce, proposing an adjournment of to-night’s meeting of the League Council till 10 a.m. to-morrow, announced that the German delegation hadflirrived in London from Berlin, and “I hope it will attend the meeting tomorrow.” There is comment over the

fact that Mr Bruce used the word “hope.” Some quarters believe there is a possibility that last-minute developments may prevent the attendance of the Germans, though well-informed people are of the opinion that nothing will happen overnight to prevent their appearance. Cabinet met for an hour and a-half in the evening discussing the latest situation. The German delegates briefly interviewed Mr Eden in the House of Commons. GERMANS LEARN THE TRUTH BERLIN, March 18. Herr von Ribhentrop worked feverishly virtually all night and had a conference with Herr Hitler and Baron von Neurath after midnight, receiving instructions, and was again at the Wilhelmstjasse in the morning to have vital points further elucidated. The high hopes centred on Herr von Ribbentrop are based on his success in connection with the Anglo-German naval agreement. • , There are ample indications that the German public is gradually realising the seriousness of the international situation, because world opinion is now percolating to the public via private clubs, where foreign newspapers are eagerly scanned, as a result of what does not appear in the German press, and is circulated from mouth to mouth, making up deficiencies in what the “Ministry of Public Enlightenment” serves out. CREATION OF SECURITY •4 (British Official Wireless) RUGBY, March 18. At to-day’s public session of the League Council Mr Eden was followed by the Spanish, Italian and Rumanian delegates. The German representative ■ is expected to speak early in to-morrow’s proceedings. M. Flandin and M. Van Zeeland did not attend the Council, but continued conversations with a view to facilitating wider discussions at the resumed meeting of Ministers of the four Powers fixed for to-night at 10 o’clock. The ordinary weekly meeting of the British Cabinet was held to-day, but the Foreign Secretary was unable to attend. Later he w’as in consultation with his Cabinet colleagues, during which time his place at the Council table was taken by Lord Cranborne. The British speaker represented to the German Government that pending negotiations the latter should take such action in the demilitarised zone as would restore confidence among the nations, because the British wished to emphasise, and maintained, that after unilateral action of this character confidence could only be restored if each nation that had the power to do so made a constructive contribution to that end. He concluded with the declaration that the Council had an indispensable part to play and bad the right and duty to consider in all its aspects the situation, taking for guidance the provisions of the Covenant as a whole. Contributions to the restoration of international confidence, which had been severely shaken, and to the creation of security would be required from all, and particularly the great Powers of Western Europe. “I should like to-day to give an assurance that in the work of reconstruction, and in particular in the organisation of security in Western Europe, his Majesty's Government will play its full part. It is willing and anxious to make its contribution to these ends.” FRENCH”PRESS BITTERNESS PARIS, March 18. The press shows great bitterness, emphasising that Britain does not realise the seriousness of the European situation. Semi-official circles in Paris, commenting on ilie British plan, point out that whoever devised it was ignorant of French psychology. France would never agree to foreign forces policing her territory. Germany had probably taken a similar view. They add that the proposals leave France’s allies at the mercy of Germany. UNITY OF LOCARNO POWERS (British Official Wireless) RUGBY, March 18. Although the immediate deadlock in the European crisis was broken yesterday, and a more hopeful outlook developed when it became known as a result of the exchanges between London and Berlin that the Gorman Government had decided to send a representative without delay to take part in the present proceedings of the League Council, there are still many factors in the situation which give rise to anxiety. What is, in many respects, the moat delicate phase of the discussions has now

been reached, and the efforts of British statesmanship in endeavouring to secure an agreement on a programme which opens a possibility of securing a permanent settlement in Western Europe are being pursued earnestly and unremittingly. In this task it is recognised that unity among the Locarno Powers other than Germany at the present stage is essential. This unity is not to be interpreted as being directed against Germany. It is regarded as necessary solely because it is felt that unless the Locarno signatories—particularly Britain and France —are agreed on a programme of negotiations progress towards a settlement that will include Germany must inevitably be retarded, if not defeated. It it with this over-riding interest in view that the recent meetings of the Locarno Powers at present in London have been undertaken. There were two such meetings yesterday. The second meeting lasted for two hours and a-half. On the British side the Foreign Secretary (Mr Eden) and Lord Halifax were joined in the discussions by Mr. Ramsay MacDonald and Mr Neville Chamberlain. Another meeting of 'the Locarno Powers began at noon to-jday. The discussions have, as is usual on such occasions, been based on various draft memoranda submitted by various Powers. In view of the present fluid condition of the situation those drafts naturally have been kept private, although their broad outlines have become known. Three stages on the road to a final settlement are at present foreseen. The first is the League Council stage, now in.progress; the second, the interim stage; and the third—still some time ahead—would be the stage of formal negotiations. On the British side it is fully recognised that throughout the period preceding any final settlement Britain must uphold to the full the guarantee of the French and Belgian frontiers which she gave at Locarno. SMALL POWERS DEPRESSED LONDON, March 18. The Manchester Guardian’s political correspondent says that Germany’s attitude has stiffened as the result of yesterday’s developments. She considers even a symbolical withdrawal of the Rhineland troops out of the question, and will not even accept the suggestion favoured in London that they should he withdrawn from the Belgian frontier. The smaller Powers, who feel menaced by Germany, especially Czechoslovakia, regard the developments as gloomy and full of foreboding. Seldom has there been a League meeting at which the small Powers were permitted to say so little. They are becoming more depressed as Germany is becoming more elated. LOCARNO OBLIGATIONS OBSERVANCE BY BRITAIN, LONDON, March 18. (Received March 19, at 8 p.m.) The Times political correspondent says: “ For various reasons, notably the French and German elections, general negotiations for a new Western European settlement cannot be begun in the immediate future. Three phases are therefore envisaged, first, the present phase, in which the League Council is asked to pronounce on German violation of treaties; secondly, an interim phase of preparation for future negotiations; thirdly, the actual negotiations. The Locarno signatories arc at present trying to draft an agreed programme indicating, first, measures to be applied during the interim phase; secondly, methods and stages regarded as appropriate for negotiating a settlement and the final objectives which the negotiations should endeavour to reach. The British suggestion for a neutral zone under the protection of an international police force along the western frontier of Germany was intended to apply only to phases preceding the final settlement. It was thought that such a measure might ensure removal of all local friction and eliminate any danger of an armed incursion. The suggestion was quickly i transformed during a later discussion, but the idea behind it is still in existence. _ One proposal known to have been mentioned is a thin line of Italian and British troops along the Rhineland frontier. Britain and Italy being the least affected Locarno Powers. Another British suggestion was that Germany should undertake not to construct fortifications. This again was intended as a temporary measure pending a general of the question of French and Belgian security, ami was considered in two aspects, namely, temporary and permanent. The British Government (again pending a general settlement) may give France and Belgium more explicit assurance of its full observance of its Locarno obligations. It is tven conceivable that it might agree to make the operation of the Locarno guarantee automatic, which necessitates consultations between the general staffs. The British Government is of the opinion that the Council to-morrow should proceed to vote on the Franco-Belgian resolution asking it to take note of Germany's infraction of treaties. Ft will then clearly be necessary to take a decision on procedure, which must depend partly on the latest conclusions of the Locarno signatories and partly on Herr von Bibbontrnp's expected speech.” NOTABLE PROGRESS MADE LONDON, March 19. (Received March 19, at 10 p.m.) The meeting of the Locarno Powers ended at 2 a.m. A communique says: " The meeting examined the draft of the general agreement, subject to the reservation of certain items requiring further examination. Notable progress has been made.” Messrs R. A. Eden. Uamsa.v MacDonald and Neville Chamberlain and Lord Halifax held a conference after the meeting, It is understood (hat the Locarno Powers have already reached agreement on three points, namely, there shall first be an appeal to The Hague Court regarding (lie compatibility of the FrancoSoviet Part with Locarno; secondly, a demilitarised zone only on the German side of the frontier, policed by international forces: thirdly, agreement regarding collaboration between the British and French general staffs. THE SWISS FRONTIER BERNE, March 18. (Received March 19, at 10.15 p.m.) The Government will erect a chain of forts along the Swiss Rhine to Hie Bavarian Alps. Preliminary surveys have been completed and barricades and mines prepared at the most vulnerable spots on (he frontier. The guards have been strengthened. NO GERMAN COMPROMISE LONDON, March 18. (Received March 19, at 11 p.m.) The Daily Telegraph’s diplomatic correspondent understands that Herr von Ribbentrop’s bands are tied and he will he unable to take any step without telephonic consultation with Berlin. German circles state that no compromise is possible on two points: Germany will not agree to reference to The Hague Court or the withdrawal of troops from the Rhineland-