LEIPZIG INCIDENT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23224, 23 June 1937, Page 9

LEIPZIG INCIDENT

GERMANY'S ATTITUDE MINISTER'S INFLAMMATORY DECLARATION IMPATIENCE EXPRESSED "PEACE BEST SERVED BY STRONG ACTION " (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) BERLIN, June 22. 'Received June 22, at 11.50 p.m.) An inflammatory declaration of Germany's attitude on the subject of the Leipzig incident was made by Dr P. J. Goebbels (Minister of Propaganda), addressing 130,000 Nazis at the Olympic Stadium. " Germany will not be satisfied with the incident being referred from one committee to another in the manner of the League of Nations and a letter being sent to Valencia after three months in such terms as 'You naughty, naughty Bolshevists. You know such things are not done. 1

" Germany does not want war," Dr Goebbels said, " but peace, which is best served by strong action. We have found in our domestic policy that there are people with whom you can only reason after knocking out their teeth." REPORT ON INCIDENT The Government's report I on " the Spanish Bolshevist submarine attack on the Leipzig " on June 18 states:"A diver's examination of the Leipzig hull disclosed scratches and a six-inch dent. The vessel changed her course after noticing the torpedo, thereby grazing either the torpedo or the submarine from which it was fired. The presence of the torpedo was also ascertained by air bubbles and a ground detector. Stokers and engineers heard a metallic impact on the hull when the Leipzig passed over the locality from which the torpedo was apparently launched. Scraping noises followed."

" DIFFICULT SITUATION "

MR EDEN'S EXPLANATION

SEEKING BEST POSSIBLE SOLUTION (British Official Wireless) RUGBY, June 21. The Secretary for Foreign Affairs (Mr Anthony Eden), in the House of Commons, described the meetings that had taken place among the four Governments which were parties to the agreement of June 12. The meetings concerned the Leipzig incident. Mr E/len said the German Ambassador had presented a Note reporting that attempts had been made on the cruiser and requesting his Majesty's Government to arrange that the four'Governments should immediately ■ confer on measures tp be taken in common.

At the end of Mr Eden's statement the Duchess* of Atholl asked if the Foreign Secretary was absolutely certain that the facts were as stated. Surely there should be an inquiry.

Mr Lloyd George intervened: "I should like to press that proposal. Surely there should be an independent investigatiqn in view of the fact that Senor Prieto (Spanish Minister of War) definitely stated that the submarines of the Spanish Government were in port at the time;" Mr Eden replied: "I fully appreciate that point. Mr Lloyd George will appreciate my position. The importance of the inquiry is very much in my mind. Our object in these meetings is to secure the best possible solution of a difficult situation."

"BECOMING IMPATIENT"

BRITAIN'S ATTITUDE

LONDON, June 22.

(Received June 23, at 1.30 a.m.)

"Britain is becoming distinctly impatient in regard to the German demands in regard to Spain," declares the diplomatic correspondent of The Times. " Britain has gone as far as possible to meet the legitimate demands of Germany and Italy and expects some reciprocity.