THE RHINELAND ZONE

Southland Times, Issue 22817, 17 February 1936, Page 7

THE RHINELAND ZONE

WATCH ON GERMANY FRANCE PREPARED TO PROTEST UNDERSTANDING WITH BELGIUM (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) (Rec. 6.30 p.m.) Paris, February 15. M. Flandin (French Foreign Minister) and the Belgian Prime Minister (Dr Paul van Zeeland) had an important conference regarding co-operation between France and Belgium in view of Germany’s possible remilitarization of the Rhineland zone, about which there is great uneasiness in Belgium because of Germany’s reported preparations in the vicinity of the zone and even inside it.

M. Flandin, it is understood, declared that if Germany moved her regular troops into the zone France would regard it as a hostile act and would immediately protest to the League of Nations.

According to the Paris correspondent of the Daily Mail M. Flandin also states that France would shortly ask both Britain and Italy what immediate steps they w'ould be prepared to take in such an emergency to support the French protest, which would be based on the Versailles Treaty and the Locarno Pact. Dr. van Zeeland declared that Belgium was determined to stand by France if Germany attempted any violation of the zone. FRANCO-SOVIET PACT OPEN FOR GERMANY TO JOIN. (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) (Rec. 7.30 p.m.) Paris, February 15. M. Flandin, addressing the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Senate, emphasized that the Franco-Soviet Pact was open for Germany to join at any time. “Germany cannot therefore say it is aimed against her,” he said.