NAZI AGREEMENT WITH FRANCE

Southland Times, Issue 23675, 25 November 1938, Page 5

NAZI AGREEMENT WITH FRANCE

Suspicion In London And Paris GERMANY HOPEFUL OF FRENCH FASCISM? (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright) LONDON, November 23. It is officially announced that a pact against war between France and Germany, similar to the Anglo-German agreement, has been completed and will be published shortly. The German Foreign Minister (Herr Joachim von Ribbentrop) will visit Paris to discuss the pact. The Paris correspondent of the British United Press says that the French Foreign Minister (M. Georges Bonnet), announcing the conclusion of the agreement this evening, said it would embrace: . , (1) Recognition of the present frontiers. (2) Consultation instead of war in the event of disputes. (3) No new claims by either

country. . , The Paris newspapers express astonishment at Herr von Ribbentrop’s visit and ask: “Is the German Government trying to sabotage the Anglo-French conversations?” , The diplomatic correspondent of the Australian Associated Press says the Franco-German pact has been approved by Britain, to which it was referred byFrance before completion of the draft. Germany also advised Britain of the intention of Herr von Ribbentrop to visit Paris shortly before the formal signing. Germany was most anxious that the announcement of the pact should be made last week but, backed by strong pressure from Britain, France secured a postponement until the day of departure of the British Ministers for Paris. It was feared that an earlier announcement would possibly have affected the talks in Paris. GERMAN MANOEUVRE? Although Britain officially approves the pact in accordance with the policy of removing old prejudices . between Erance and Germany, there is reason for believing that she regarded it with some suspicion. It is suggested that the Prime Minister (Mr Neville Chamberlain) . was concerned over Germany s delay in implementing the Munich “spirit of appeasement,” and hoped to remind Herr Hitler of this by announcing “new and wide-embracing talks with France.” , If this is so the pact may be regarded as a German effort to reply by forestalling the talks. This is not the only ground for suspicion, says the correspondent. The pact does not suggest revision of Heir Hitler’s book, “Mein Kampf,” and. does not mention the Franco-Soviet alliance and control of the French Press, about which Germany previously expressed most decided views. Reports from Berlin state that Germany is still hopeful that France tvill become virtually fascist. Possibly Germany is pinning her hopes on M. Pierre Flandin, because Colonel Casimir de la Rocque, leader of the banned Croix de Feu (Fiery Cross), is- now of no consequence. Doubtless Germany would relish a three-Power alliance; excluding Britain, buf it has to be remembered that Germany has still to explain continued vicious Press attacks, against Britain, and why > Britain was blamed for a -murder which occurred in France. BRITISH ACCUSED IN NAZI PRESS “LOOTING, RAPE, MURDER” IN PALESTINE (British Official Wireless) (Received November 24, 6.30 p.m.) RUGBY, November 23. 'in the House of Commons a question addressed to the Prime Minister (Mr Neville Chamberlain) called attention to statements which appeared yesterday in the German Press accusing British troops and police in Palestine of looting, rape, murder and the torturing of prisoners. . „ , The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Sir John Simon) said: “There is no truth whatever 'in these newspaper stories. I would repeat Mr Chamberlain’s observation in reply to a question on Monday: that the German Government must be well aware of the unfortunate effect on Anglo-German relations of such articles.” ■ In answer to a question whether it was proposed to invite any German Ministers to come to London in return for the Prime Minister’s visits to .Germany Sir John referred to an answer by Mr Chamberlain on Monday, when he gave a negative reply, to an inquiry whether any meeting between members of the British and German Governments to discuss appeasement was contemplated in the near future. ROME-BERLIN CULTURAL “AXIS” ROME, November 23. An Italo-German cultural agreement has been signed. The Rome correspondent of lhe Times reports that the agreement provides for the creation of Italian and German institutes for the study of the other’s culture and history at Rome, Milan, Berlin and Munich, for the teaching of Italian in German universities and schools and vice versa, and for an exchange of teachers, pupils, films, music, books and material for exhibitions.