FRENCH HOPE OF GERMAN AMITY

Southland Times, Issue 23647, 24 October 1938, Page 7

FRENCH HOPE OF GERMAN AMITY

BRITAIN’S POLICY OF ARMED PEACE

NAZIS DESCRIBE CZECHS AS FIRST HARVEST

(United Pr&s Assn.—Telegraph Copyright)

(Received October 23, 6.30 p.m.) LONDON, October 22.

The report made by the French Ambassador to Berlin (M. Andre FrancoisPoncet) on his conversation with Hen Hitler encourages the belief that the German move forthcoming next week might be an undertaking not to go to war against France for a quarter of a century.

The French newspapers suggest that France and Germany may make a declaration similar to that made by Mr Neville Chamberlain, and Herr Hitler at Munich. “Herr Hitler believes in Mr Chamberlain’s peaceful aspirations, but fears some possible successor. I believe in Herr Hitler’s peaceful aspirations and, like him, I must be prepared for some successor who may not hold his views,” declared the Home Secretary (Sir Samuel Hoare), speaking at Clacton. “And so I adopt my own motto: ‘Always willing for peace and at any hour ready for defence.’ That is the reason why in the interests of peace I attach such vital importance to national strength.” The German Minister of Propaganda (Dr Josef Goebbels) in a speech revealed the background of Germany’s policy during the crisis. “We intended to have a quiet summer,” he said. “Like a boa constrictor, we wanted to digest what we had eaten, but our opponents did not size us up adequately. The fact that they thought us weak proved a great success for us. “Luck was certainly with, the Fuhrer. but he also possessed a cool head and strong nerves. Today we reap the first harvest, but we are equally sure to achieve our new aims and miracles.

“The Fuhrer asks casually: ‘When will the colonies be served up?’ We say by such and such a day. We get what is ours, or we draw the sword. That works. Others bluff, and concentrate on a big fleet but finally come along because they do not want bloodshed.”

CZECHO-SOVIET PACT DEAD LETTER? DOUBT CAST ON TRUTH OF REPORT (Received October 23, 7.5 p.m.) PRAGUE, October 22. Doubt is cast on the truth of a report that the Czecho-Soviet Pact had been made a dead letter. The Czech Foreign Minister (M. Chvalkovsky) was reported to have informed the Soviet Minister at Prague that Czechoslovakia was no longer interested in the mutual assistance pact with the Soviet. It was expected that a renunciation of the French pact would follow, "thus fulfilling what The Daily Telegraph's Prague correspondent describes as the most important German demand for Czech readjustment. The celebration of the twentieth anniversary of Czechoslovakian independence, on October 28, has been postponed indefinitely. KING CAROL’S VISIT TO ’LONDON (British Official Wireless) (Received October 23, 6.30 p.m.) RUGBY, October 22. King Carol will pay his postponed state visit to London from November 15 to November 18. He will be accompanied by Crown Prince Michael. HUNGARY DEMANDS EARLY ANSWER (Received October 23, 6.30 p.m.) BUDAPEST, October 22. Hungary has sent a demarche to Prague requesting -that new frontier proposals should be communicated without delay. , The semi-official Hungarian news bureau announces that the Slovak Government is preparing to expel the 40,000 Jews who recently migrated to Slovakia. FUND FOR REFUGEES NOW £185,000 (British Official Wireless) (Received October 23, 6.30 pan.) RUGBY, October 22. The Lord Mayor’s fund for Czechoslovakian refugees has reached £185,000. PLEA FOR LEAGUE COVENANT “PROSPERITY DEPENDS ON SECURITY” (British Official Wireless) (Received October 23, 6.30 p.m.) RUGBY, October 22. A statement of policy on the new international situation, issued by the League of Nations Union, urges that, if in future, hurried decisions arrived

at by one or two negotiators under an immediate threat of war are to be avoided, as well as the risk of acquiescence in the claim that a few. great Powers should settle the destinies of other countries, it is essential that the principles of the League Covenant be upheld. “Prosperity depends on security and security depends on organized co-opera-tion for peace between the civilised nations and their mutual protection against aggression,” the statement declares. “All political and economic conditions likely to lead to war should be submitted in time to the procedure of an international conference for searching examination and remedy by agreement, such procedure to provide for representation of all the parties affected by the dispute or its settlement.” NO HOPE OF HELP FROM DOMINIONS CZECH REFUGEES’ PLIGHT (Received October 23, 7.5 p.m.) LONDON, October 22. The Australian Associated Press says that the inter-governmental committee for political refugees, formed as a result of the Evian Conference, has abandoned hope of substantial assistance for Czech refugees from the Dominions and the United States, and it is now approaching the South American countries. Contrary to expectations that the Dominions wanted agriculturists, New Zealand is stated to be interested in skilled mechanics. The committee is considering a scheme for training the refugees.