GERMAN SITUATION.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13100, 31 January 1936, Page 5

GERMAN SITUATION.

SECOND EDITION

TALKS OVER RHINELAND. TRIPLE AIR PACT POSSIBLE. United Press Assn.—Bv Electric Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON. Janu&rq 30. I i‘( Sun- Herald lieu s agant-y says that following the' precedent at tile funeral ol King Edward Yll. visiting monarc-hs, Prime Ministers, and lor 0114 ii Ministers paid a courtesy call on the Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary. In some cases. the talks apparently wer-? more significant. particularly those between M. Flandin and Mr Eden, which were in the nature of a survey of the European situation. The .Sun-Herald agency understands that M. Flandin is apprehensive lost, Germany reoccupy empty barracks within the demilitarised zone, and that he sought Britain's view of such an eventuality. Mr Eden replied that if Germany entered the zone, even without crossing the international frontier, it would be a bleach of the Locarno Pact, justifying France in invoking the Locarno Treaty. M. Flandin intimated that Fiance is worries! about the unsettled stale ol Europe aud is anxious to e-ase t-he tension

Baron von Neu rath expressed a similar desire to Mr Edeu. and con-

sequentily official quarters believe that tile position may be eased. Baron von Neuiath welcomed prompt assurances that Britain will ndt negotiate an Anglo-French air pact. Mr Eden intimating th it she would only negotiate an air pact between England, France and Germany. Further approach on the subject is unlikely until the Italo- Abyssinian conflict terminates.

OTHER CONFLICTING VIEWS LONDON. January 30. There are conflicting reports about Germany’s intentions r. garding the demilitarised Rhineland zone The Daily Telegiupli’s Paris correspondent says the Government have been informed from, several sources that Hitler, under pressure of tlie German high military command, made up his nnnd to denounce this year those Versailles Treatv articles which created the zone. He is even reported to have told an ambassador that ho was sorry he had not taken the step last March vhen he treed the Reich from the Versailles military clauses.

Ihe Telegraph's diplomatic correspondent. on the other hand, says Baron von Xeurath. German Foreign Mmi -ter yesterday personally assured Mr Eden that the French Rhineland fears were gro'*mdless. Germany was not contemplating anv bastv reoccupation of the zone. It is realised that Germany may not agree to accept a demilitarised Rhineland for ever. The dav maycome. says the Manchester Guardian, when she will wish to reoccupy it or may even set about occupying it. but it is doubted in London whether this clay is at hand. Germany, it i- Jjeu lieved. will not act rashly but will at first try to secure the substitution of a new western pact for Locarno simultaneously demanding that the Rleneland shall cease to be a demilitarised zone.

According to the Telegraph, Baron von Neu rath is also reported to have sounded Mr Eden regarding the British terms lor a closer understanding with Germany.