ANOTHER CLIMAX FOR EUROPE?

Southland Times, Issue 23437, 18 February 1938, Page 5

ANOTHER CLIMAX FOR EUROPE?

Hitler’s Speech On Sunday FURTHER EXPANSION OF ARMY PREDICTED LONDON, February 8. Mr G. Ward Price, of The Daily Mail, who has frequently interviewed Herr Hitler and. Signor Mussolini, forecasts an expansion of the German army. , “Another international climax, he writes to The Daily Mail from Berlin, “looms before Europe in Herr Hitlers speech of February 20, when the Fuhrer is expected to announce a considerable increase in the German army, thus justifying the official news agency’s statement that the speech would not be to the liking of foreign powers. Already, technical and rnl J}“ tary publications have suggested readiness for an increase in the 42 divisions that Germany at present maintains. “It is also believed that Herr Hitler will refer to Central Europe, where advanced Nazis, disappointed with Britain’s reluctance to return the former German colonies, feel they are entitled to claim a free hand, and favour action while British armament is incomplete.” . Mr Ward Price adds that in addition to the generals whom Herr Hitler dismissed between 50 and 100 lower officers were dispensed with. A rumour in Vienna which has not been confirmed, says that 20 German army officers have fled to Austria. Neither the military nor the. economic purge in Germany is finished, according to private advices from BerArmy leaders are greatly dissatisfied with the growing cost of the Four-Year-Plan, which is interfering with the funds for the forces, as distinct from rearmament. Further retirements and dismissals are expected. Field-Marshal Hermann Goering is determined to deal with passive resistance from officials of the Economics

Ministry, and from industrialists. It is believed that he and «other leaders would welcome,loan facilities for the import of raw “materials, and are interested in the British relaxation of the restriction on foreign loans. The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Sir John Simon) has not categorically ruled out the possibility of loans to Italy and Germany. Interest is attached to the European visit of Mr Thomas Lamont, a partner in the firm ,pf J. P. Morgan (New York). He is believed to be investigating an Anglo-American loan to Germany, which, however, is not likely to eventuate, especially in view of the expected American measure to prohibit loans, public or private, to any foreign government. “Germany merely followed France, Britain, Italy and Russia in instituting a greater concentration of authority,” writes M. Henri Berenger, chairman of the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee in France.

“What Germany really wants remains obscure. Europe .must be rebuilt on realities, not abstractions. France must carry out her policy undismayed by manoeuvres, ' bluff, or threats.” *