GERMAN AIMS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 19886, 14 March 1939, Page 5

GERMAN AIMS

RELATIONS WITH BRITAIN ECONOMIC, ADVANTAGES BERLIN, Feb. 17. Comments here indicate that the Reich at present is morft interested in the economic than in .the political side of Anglo-German relations. The speech yesterday of the British Ambassador, Sir Nevile Henderson, in which he emphasised the need for an understanding between Britain .and Germany, based on respect for Germany's vital interests as a Continental Power and for Britain's interests as an oversea Power, lost some of itsvalue. The causes were the' simultaneous publication of Britain gigantic armaments figures, the increased expenditure on arms by the United States, and the liaison between the British and French General Staffs. Semi-officially, it is asked whether a strong Britain would be readier ".ban a weak Britain to recognise other nations' vital needs. "If Britain continues to reject German claims, it discloses that her policy is that justice must surrender to force," it is declared. "Not To Blame For Arms Race" It is argued that if Anglo-German relations require improvement, Germany is not to blame. Herr Hitler'sstatement that Germany's claims were not a cause fojpwar is cited as another contribution to good relations. It is contended that Germany is not responsible for the armaments race. It is naively recalled that the Air Minister, Field-Marshal Goering, explained that .the only reason why Germany was leading in armaments was that she had started first. It is considered that the time is not ripe for political discussions, because Britain does not recognise the former colonies as still being German propertv, nor does Germany accept the British view that pacification involves not merely a satisfaction of national rights, but also a limitation of armaments. It is admitted that Britain's friendship is necessary for the success of Germany's trade aspirations. It is hoped, 'after Jewish migration has been arranged on a sound basis, to strive to increase German exports and to secure better selling opportunitiesin the British Empire'and the United States.