GERMANY’S CLAIM

Southland Times, Issue 25308, 11 June 1935, Page 7

GERMANY’S CLAIM

POSSESSION OF COLONIES.

London, May 27.

The British Ambassador (Sir Eric Phipps) and the German Foreign Minister (Baron von Neurath) had a long talk to-day on questions arising out of Herr Hitler’s speech, the Berlin correspondent of The Times states. These questions included consideration of the colonial question, apropos of Germany’s disabilities Under the League. Herr Hitler, in his speech, could not and did not abandon Germany’s claim to future possession and administration of colonial territory.

This was implicit in references to keeping Germany’s naval strength at 35 per cent, of the British strength, even with the possession of colonies by Germany; also in the claim that equality of rights under the League must be extended to all functions and all rights in international life. A request for plainer definition would probably evoke the reply that such equality must include Germany’s right and fitness to possess colonies and to exercise a mandate. That, however, does not mean that the realization of such a right is a condition of Germany’s return to the League.