WORLD TALKS PROPOSED

Southland Times, Issue 23179, 21 April 1937, Page 5

WORLD TALKS PROPOSED

GERMANY READY TO TAKE PART

MR LANSBURY SEES HERR HITLER

RUSSIAN PARTICIPATION NOT MENTIONED (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright) (Received April 20, 7.20 p.m.) LONDON, April 19. The keenest interest has been created throughout the Empire by a secret discussion in Berlin between Herr Hitler and Mr George Lansbury, a former leader of the British Labour Party.

After the talk, which lasted two hours, Mr Lansbury stated that Herr Hitler had said that Germany was willing to participate in a conference

on economic co-operation and mutual understanding if the President of the United States (Mr Franklin D. Roosevelt) or the head of another great country would take the initiative. This statement was agreed upon after a discussion on the entire international situation. Mr Lansbury submitted to Herr Hitler a memorandum proposing a new world conference. He told the purport of his talks with Mr Roosevelt, the Prime Minister of France (M. Leon Blum), the Prime Minister of Belgium (Dr Paul van Zeeland), and the Scandinavian Prime Ministers, none of whom had rejected the proposition.

“I got what I wanted from Herr Hitler,” said Mr Lansbury. “Germany is willing to go into such a conference with a good heart I was impressed by the fact that Herr Hitler knows what he is talking about. The question of Russian participation was not raised.”

A German communique referring to Mr Lansbury’s suggestion of a world conference' says:

Herr Hitler, as he already has so frequently done, emphasized that Germany will not exclude herself

from any international co-operation

promising success. Although the discussion was published elsewhere no statement has yet appeared in the German Press. Apparently the reaction of foreign nations is being awaited. Mr Lansbury, broadcasting from Berlin to Britain tonight, said: “Mr Roosevelt’s name was specifically mentioned because he was the first head of a government with whom I discussed the conference. The United States is also the logical nation to take the lead, as she is ‘above this battle.’ I would like Mr Roosevelt to call a conference, but I am not sure that he will.” Mr Lansbury added that the more he saw and heard of people in other lands the more convinced he became that all longed for peace. “Now we must redouble our efforts throughout the world to ensure a conference very soon,” he said

Germany’s reported willingness to attend a conference caused a good impression in Rome, but officials are noncommittal on the question of Italy’s attendance.

The German Minister of National Economy (Dr Hjalmar Schacht) in a speech at Munich prophesied a gradual improvement of Germany’s raw materials situation when, he said: “We must put up certain rest ’chons if we want to safeguard German, against attacks from outside. However, ..he raw materials restrictions have passed the climax, though the food situation does not permit freeing ourselves completely from foreign imports for a considerable time. Colonies under German administration and German currency would help Germany immensely.” Some foreign commentators interpret Dr Schacht’s speech to be associated with Germany’s changed policy, signifying a willingness to co-operate in Europe and restore world trade.