HERR HITLER ILL

Taranaki Daily News, 7 March 1935, Page 5

HERR HITLER ILL

TALKS’ POSTPONEMENT BRITAIN DISAPPOINTED EFFECT OF WHITE PAPER? SUGGESTIONS IN PRESS CONTROVERSY ON ARMS By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. Berlin, March 5. The visit of Sir John Simon (Foreign Secretary) to Berlin has been postponed qt the request of Herr Hitler, who is suffering from a cold. The length of the postponement of the proposed air pact conversations is not indicated. The evening papers publish a photograph of Herr Hitler, hatless and wearing a light overcoat, cheerfully chatting with an official at a motor show yesterday. The Nachtausgabe, with unconscious irony, prints the picture of Herr Hitler next to the laconic announcement of his indisposition. The London Sun-Herald Service says that while the cynics declare that “'Herr Hitler caught the cold between the sheets of the White Paper” British official comment is limited to Sir Eric Phipps’ telegram that possibly Herr Hitler’s indisposition is more serious than generally believed. It is known that he has been in ill-health for the past year but has withheld knowledge from the German people. Herr Hitler’s visit to Saarbrucken at the week-end without an overcoat in drenching rain may have aggravated the trouble.

On the contrary, if the White Paper is responsible for the postponement of Sir John Simon’s visit the British Government will take the most disquieting view, realising that nothing is likely to emerge from consultations because they might constitute a further German attempt to create an Anglo-French cleavage. ' BERLIN’S REQUEST. A communique issued at Berlin says: “On the occasion of his visit to Saarbrucken the Leader contracted a slight cold, together with great hoarseness. On his doctor’s orders the conversations arranged for the immediate future have been cancelled in order to spare his voice. In these circumstances the German Government has conveyed to the British Ambassador through the Minister of Foreign Affairs a request that the visit arranged for the English Ministers may bo postponed.” A message has been conveyed to the German Foreign Minister from the British Government through the Ambassador at Berlin, Sir Eric Phipps, expressing the regret with which the British Government had learned of the Chancellor s indisposition and its hopes for his speedy recovery.

German newspapers publish only short summaries of the British defence White Paper.

Newspaper leaders regarding the White Paper, which is resented throughout Germany, amount to a storm of protest against Britain’s action, which is generally described as unfriendly. The Angriff describes it as an attempt to intimidate Germany on the eve of negotiations by attributing Britain’s rearmament to Germany’s spirit. It adds: “It is a piece of antiquated diplomacy which has failed to achieve its purpose.” A Paris message says that the French newspapers generally approve of the White Paper. The Petit Parisien says: “Britain makes clear her ardent desire for peace but does not go to the point of closing her eyes to the total militarisation of the Reich.” FRENCH ATTITUDE. The Echo de Paris expresses the hope that Britain’s example will open MFlandin’s eyes to the immediate necessity of extending the French military service, but states that it is insufficient to reply to German armaments with similar measures. It is necessary to unite the pacific peoples of Europe. The News-Chronicle in a leader pays: “The White Paper almost extinguished the hopes kindled by the Anglo-French conversations. Herr Hitler’s diplomatic illness reflects the disastrous recrudescence of German suspicion and fear of encirclement. Herr Hitler doubtless wants time to reconsider his position.

“The British Government in 24 hours has immeasurably worsened the international situation. The force of pacific public opinion may yet recall it to its senses.” The necessity for increases in the defence estimates are reluctantly admitted in most London papers this morning, although the Liberal and Labour journals are critical and consider that the increased expenditure on defence is premature and provocative. The Times points out that British armaments by sea and land will not be on a larger scale. “Britain undoubtedly had fallen too far behind in the air arm, as also in anti-aircraft defences,” it says. “It is unworthy of Britain’s position in the world that she should remain fifth or sixth in the scale of air Powers, and it renders her less fit to perform the treaty obligations which she has already assumed.

"There must be a political foundation for the limitation of armaments,” continues The Times, “and in spite of all efforts of the last three years this has not yet been laid. The negotiations which Sir John Simon and Mr. R. A. Eden will carry a stage further will afford the best prospect that has yet appeared of the establishment of a system of security, and a logical sequence to a properly organised collective system will be the diminution of national contingents.

“The British Government particularly emphasises the fact that the measures now proposed are elastic and may be modified downward if .droumstances permit. The British policy of peace will not b’ affected by the decision to spend more on defence, and despite the troubled state of the world the British Government still proclaims its confidence in the ultimate triumph of peaceful methods.”

The Daily Telegraph says: “The statement on Imperial defence underlines the important fact that the value of the Locarno treaties has been seriously weakened by the knowledge that Britain’s contribution could have little decisive effect.

"For the same reasons Britain's counsels in Europe have been becoming progressively less effective. The important increase in British influence noticeable at Geneva and in all the leading capitals during recent months can be traced to the knowledge that Britain was looking for fighting forces.” Speaking at Bristol last night Sir John Simon said that after a long period of delay and disappointment there was new hope for improving the conditions on which their prospects of peace must rest. The action of the British Government in showing itself willing to provide troops for maintaining order in the Saar had made a profound impression in Europe and had undoubtedly contributed to the peaceful conclusion of the recent meeting between the French and British Ministers in London which

had established a complete agreement between the two Governments. The proposal for an air convention wag welcomed by Germany. He was going with Mr. Eden to Germany and it was right and natural that after 'the meetings at Rome, Paris and London a similar meeting should take place at Berlin. He was undertaking the journey fully conscious of the tremendous issues which depended on the conversations ndw about to begin, and the one wish of them all was that these should prove a contribution to the restoration of European confidence and the peace of the world. MOTIONS OF CENSURE LIBERALS AND LABOUR “NEGOTIATIONS” FAILURE Rec. 8.5 p.m. London, March 5. Sir Herbert Samuel (Liberal Leader) during the defence debate on March 11 will move a motion expressing regret that the Government’s negotiations with other countries have not resulted in greater assurance for the maintenance of peace but in largely increased armament expenditure. Labour will have preference with a censure motion, the terms of which are at present undecided. “MUST PREPARE ANEW” HOPE TO ARRANGE TALKS HERR HITLER’S ILLNESS Rec. 8.40 p.m. London, March 6. The London newspapers almost unanimously deduce that Herr Hitler’s postponement of the conversations with Sir John Simon is due to the contents of the White Paper rather than to indisposition, though the possibility that the indisposition has developed is recognised in view of the Leader's exposure during his visit to Saarbrucken, when he stood for hours without an overcoat in the rainIt is learned definitely that Herr Hitler’s decision followed and did not precede his perusal of the White Paper. Nevertheless it is believed there is considerable disappointment in certain official circles at Berlin, in which the opinion is expressed that the Leader had everything to gain and nothing to lose by seeing Sir John Simon. It is believed at London that the interview will take place in due course, but the diplomatic ground will require to be prepared anew.