GERMANS’ VISIT

Taranaki Daily News, 9 June 1931, Page 7

GERMANS’ VISIT

POLICY OF UNDERSTANDING PROBLEMS OF REPARATIONS CONVERSATION OF LEADERS SPIRIT OB 1 FRIENDLINESS British Wireless. Rugby, June 6. Drs. Bruening and Curtius, German Ministers, were last night guests of the Prime Minister at a dinner at the Foreign Office which was attended by leading members of the Government and Opposition. The visit of Drs. Bruening and Curtins and the restrained statement made to journalists by the Chancellor on his arrival yesterday at Southampton were the subject of leading articles in several newspapers. The Times says: “By their first public statements the German Ministers have shown that they accepted the British invitation in the spirit in which it was made.”

The Daily Telegraph described the purpose of the visit ‘‘as confi-ming by friendly and informal intercourse those good relations with the German Republic which are part of this country s policy of goodwill and understanding with all the family of nations.” The conversations between the German statesmen and the British Ministers. which began yesterday at Cheque! s, to which Drs. Bruening* and Curtius motored after witnessing the trooping of the colours, were continued to-day by the Prime Minister, who was accompanied by Messrs A. Henderson and W. Graham. . , r, • At a luncheon given by the Prime Minister and Miss Ishbel MacDonald, the following were also present: The German Ambassador (Baron von Neurath), Mr. A. V. Alexander, the Governor’of the Bank of England, Mr. Bernard Shaw, Sir Robert Vansittart, Sir Clive Wigram, Count Bernstorff and Sir Frederick Leith Ross, of the Treasury. OBJECTS OF THE VISIT. The Gorman visit was arranged several months ago as a means of establishing personal contact and the opportunity has been taken for friendly talks on the position in which the German Reich and other industrial States now find themselves. Special stress was laid by the German Ministers on the difficulties of the existing position in Germany and the need for alleviation. British Ministers for their part called attention to the world-wide character of the present depression and its special influence on Britain.

Both parties were agreed, it was stated at Chequers to-day, that in addition to efforts and measures of a national character, a revival of confidence and prosperity depended upon international co-operation. In this spirit both governments would endeavour to deal with the present crisis in close collaboration with other governments concerned.

It is officially stated that the conversations at Chequers between the German and British Ministers comprised a friendly talk on Germany’s difficulties. Messrs MacDonald and Henderson emphasised the worldwide nature of the depression, and both parties agreed that a revival of prosperity depended on international co-operation beside national efforts.

A comprehensive account of the Chequers discussions will be dispatched, to the Dominions. Interested foreign Powers believe that the only concrete result possible from the conversations would be another Young Plan conference. This is likely to be the next step. NO POSITIVE RESULTS YET. OFFICIALS REMAIN RETICENT. Rec. 8.30 p.m. London, June 8. The Daily Telegraph's diplomatic contributor says that despite the reticence observed in official circles it is gathered that the conversations at Chequers have not yielded positive results. It is probable that both Governments will now take soundings in Paris, other Allied capitals and Washington with a view to finding how means of alleviating the German position may be envisaged. The talk at Chequers, was. mainly on the economic issue, while disarmament was only lightly touched upon. The atmosphere is friendly, but the Germans have not carried away a definite idea how the difficulties are to bo solved.