GERMAN REPLY

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 18633, 18 February 1935, Page 8

GERMAN REPLY

ANGLO-FRENCH DECLARATION

PROPOSALS WELCOMED

EX AAI l X ATI 0 X PRO M l SED

(British Official Wireless.) Bee. 1.30 p.m. RUGBY, Fob. 15. The German reply to the Anglo-French declaration was issued in Berlin to-night. Briefly summarised, the reply welcomes the spirit of friendly confidence animating the discussion between individual Governments which found expression in the Anglo-French communication, and says ‘

“The German Government will make an exhaustive examination of the entire complex problem which was laid before them of European questions raised in the first part of the London communique. The proposed air convention is also welcomed, and the German Government expresses its readiness to seek as soon as possible in free agreement with the Governments concerned .ways and means whereby such a convention as guarantees the greatest possible security to all signatories can become a reality. The German Government, considers it desirable first to clarify in separate conversations with the Governments concerned a number of preliminary questions of principle, and will he glad if'the British Government, as Hint partner in the London conversations which is at the same time a guarantor of Locarno, would begin when ready to enter into a direct exchange of views on the subject with the German Government.”

Concurrence is expressed with the opinion that an air convention would he an important step towards solidarity of Furopoan States and ealeulated to lead to a solution of other Furopoan problems satisfactory to all States. The text of the German reply at present is under careful examination hi London. The German Government to-day eoiiiimiiiieated it also In the Italian and Belgian (loverumenls. MIL FDIvX'S COMMENTS Mr. Anthony Eden, in a speech at Rugby, said lie would restrict, his remarks on the German reply to general observations that the Anglo-French London I‘oiiveisal imis v.vre being followed up, and would he fullnwed up.

('online a. they did in siieressioii to 1 lie Franeu Italian rum ei'snlions in Borne and an impm taut meeting of I In* council of the League id Nations last December, they might well mark a new and more < iiemiragiiig phase in European reconstruction. The objective of that, phase must he a restoration of eonlidence in Europe. It was precisely for the creation of such eonlidence that the League of Nations and the collective peace system to which it gave expression existed.

Although still in a stale of evolution, the League was definitely stronger now than six months ago. The conception of a collective peace system had surely come to slay. it, was the only substitute for the balance of power, which, however nicely adjusted, could never be the final guarani or of pence. As its experience and inlluencc accumulated, the League would steadily he belter aide to shoulder the responsibilities placed upon it until at length if, gained that universal membership with the aid of which a peaceful settlement of all disputes might become not merely an ’deal hut a fact.