NAVAL PACT TO LAPSE?

Southland Times, Issue 23773, 22 March 1939, Page 5

NAVAL PACT TO LAPSE?

BRITISH TREATY WITH NAZIS

GERMANY CONSIDERS DENUNCIATION

ALTERNATIVE INCREASE IN AIR FORCE

(United Press Assn.—Telegraph' Copyright) (Received March 21, 7.50 p.m.) LONDON, March 21. The Berlin correspondent of Reuters understands that at a conference Herr Hitler and his Ministers debated whether to denounce the Anglo-German Naval Treaty. Apparently no decision was reached.

It is believed that Herr Hitler, realizing that it is impossible to build up immediately a fleet beyond the treaty limit, favours an increase in Germany’s Air Force to show his displeasure at the democratic Powers’ reactions to his latest' conquest. During the debate in the House of Commons on the Navy Estimates Admiral of the Fleet Sir Roger Keyes expressed the opinion that the AngloGerman Naval Treaty was not "worth the paper it was written on.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty (Mr Geoffrey Shakespeare) contended that the treaty had a stabilizing effect.

Mr A. V. Alexander (Labour) said it would be ungrateful if a member of the House did not praise the Dominions naval action. Australia had made great efforts in proportion to her population to assist in the naval defence of that part of the British Commonwealth; New Zealand’s increased expenditure was also important. Mr Alexander said it might be a wise precaution to arrange for docking facilities in Australia and South Africa for the biggest warship. He felt sure, he said, that the Dominions would be willing to assist. “I would feel happier if Canada would approximate Australia’s action,” said Mr Alexander.

The House agreed to the estimates.

HELIGOLAND AGAIN FORTIFIED HITLER’S REPUDIATION OF VERSAILLES (Received March 21, 6.30 p.m.) LONDON, March 20. In the House of Commons the Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs (Mr R. A. Butler) said that Germany had completed the refortification of Heligoland. Herr Hitler’s action was a repudiation of the Treaty of Versailles, Mr Butler added.

MEMEL’S RETURN TO REICH EXPECTED NAZI TROOP MOVEMENTS REPORTED (Received March 21, 7.10 p.m.) LONDON, March 20. It is expected in Berlin that .Memel next Saturday will pass painlessly under the swastika flag of Nazi Germany. It is indicated that Lithuania, Danzig and the Polish Corridor will not be touched at present. Reports of heavy German troop movements in East Prussia strengthen the possibility that Memel will be next on Herr Hitler’s list. The Memel Diet will meet on Saturday, when Dr Ernst Neumann, leader of the Memel Nazis, is expected openly to demand independence. In Berlin today the Lithuanian Foreign Minister had a conversation with the German- Foreign Minister (Herr Joachim von Ribbentrop); it is believed that they discussed the Memel situation.

The German military leaders attended a meeting of the Cabinet after which Herr Hitler received the Italian Ambassador (Dr Attilico). It is understood that Germany’s eastern frontier fortifications (on the Polish frontier) are being strengthened. It is understood that Field-Marshal Hermann Goering is going to Italy tomorrow to resume his holiday, says the Berlin correspondent of Reuters. This indicates that no immediate convocation of the Reichstag is contemplated. FieldMarshal Goering will probably meet Signor Mussolini to explain at first hand Herr Hitler’s handling of the Czechoslovak situation.. The German Ambassador to Paris (Count von Welczeck) has been recalled for consultation.

In reply to a question in the House of Commons the Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs (Mr R. A. Butler) said the position in Memel was being closely watched by the British Government.