DESIRE FOR PEACE

Southland Times, Issue 22492, 29 January 1935, Page 5

DESIRE FOR PEACE

FEELINGS IN GERMANY

RELATIONS WITH FRANCE

HOPES IN BRITAIN

(United Press Assn. —Telegraph Copyright). (Rec. 7.10 p.m.) London, January 28. Lord Allen, of Hurtwood, a close friend of Mr Ramsay MacDonald s, has returned from an official visit to Berlin, where he interviewed Herr Hitler, Dr Goebbels and Baron von Neurath and other leaders. He told the Daily Telegraph that his talk with Hitler was confidential, but he was free to summarize the outstanding features of what he learned in Germany. . “Germany at present passionately desires peace. If we took her at her word and restored her to equal sovereign status, she woidd resume her part in international co-operation. Owing to Germany’s lack of armaments, there is no risk in believing what she says. In a few years it will be too late. Germany is in an intensely emotional mood owing to resentment at being the only first-class Power to be singled out for special treatment. She does not comprehend why in 1934, when she disarmed, she was hemmed in by hostile alliances, just as she was in 1914 when armed. Germany was profoundly wounded when France rejected the armament compromise. Germany wants peace, not merely because she knows she would be crushed in a war, but because her . post-war generation is more interested in domestic experiments than external aggression. Hitler is anxious to negotiate direct with France. If this does not clear the situation, Britain might play a vital part. Britain’s prestige in Germany is now tremendous. Germany hopes we will more clearly express our view on the rights and wrongs of her armaments position. German rearmament is proceeding steadily. The only remaining question is whether we will bring about an arms convention which Germany can accept,- or let matters drift into a preventive war.