PEACE OF EUROPE

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19132, 29 September 1936, Page 5

PEACE OF EUROPE

EFFORTS TO CONTINUE FIVE-POWEE CONFERENCE ATTITUDE OF GERMANY LONDON, Sept. 16. Although German attacks on the Soviet Union seem to imply that Germany would not participate in any conference for a European settlement ’that would include the Soviet, the view is taken in London that efforts to arrange such a conference must continue. Germany has not broken with the Soviet nor officially intimated that she refuses to sit at the same conference table. If there is a final breach between Berlin and Moscow, then the projected five-Power conference would be futile. The diplomatic correspondent of the Manchester Guardian states: ‘‘As there is no breach between Moscow and Berlin, British official opinion secs no reason why the conference should be abandoned. Germany’s wishes are being largely metin that the conference will be based on llerr Hitler's ponce plan.

"Tin' German armament programme now being taken in hand is to he a culmination making Germany once and for all the strongest military Power in the world. The cost, excluding the four-year self-sufficiency plan, is estimated at from £6.000,000.000 and £7,000.000,000. The figures appear to he fantastic, hut it is the German intention at least to carry out the expenditure on this scale. The programme will he completed in the shortest possible time, covering not only the needs of Germany’s rapidlv-expand-ing army, navy, and air force, but also the construction of fortresses and naval bases. The so-colled 'Heilsherg Triangle’ is being heavily fortified, also Wilhelmsluiven and the-'lsland of Borkum, one of the East Frisian Islands. A series of field works and entrenched positions is being constructed in the Saar region. “The Nazi calculation is that armed strength will make Germany a desirable nllv and obtain economic concessions, especially in the matter of raw materials, from Powers who want to win her favour.'' GERMAN FOREIGN POLICY* The Times, in a special article, reviewing the Nazi Congress, hold at NuremlieTg. slates: “It is now confirmed beyond reasona hie doubt that Herr Hitler’s intention was to round off the rally with a more striking and more definite pronouncement. All preparations had been made for summoning the Reichstag again as the solemn setting for such a, climax, but the arrangements were cancelled without becoming, known beyond the inner circle. The modification of the original intention is ascribed to the moderate counsels of a group including the Foreign Minister, Baron von Neuratli. and Herr von Papon. The immediate ' aim of Nazi foreign policy, which is to break the Franco-Soviet alliance or to weaken Soviet influence in European affairs, is regarded as achieved by the Nazi Party’s own method of agitation without directly upsetting the more sedate methods of diplomacy. It is felt in Nazi circles that the foundations have been deliberately laid for more important developments, both iu internal and in foreign policy.’’ The Rome correspondent of lhe tunes says: “Although official circles have refrained from commenting on Herr Hitler’s Nuremberg speeches, there is evident disappointment at his stern refusal to collaborate with Russia. While Italy lias always mai ntainod that the new Locarno Conference should first deal with (he problems of Western Europe, she also holds that after these are settled, other burning European questions should he studied and the way paved for n new era of international co-operation. Germany s refusal to enter into diplomatic dealings with Russia will, it is felt, postpone indefinitely the establishment of European ncaee on a firm basis.”