REPLY TO HITLER

Taranaki Daily News, 22 March 1935, Page 5

REPLY TO HITLER

JUDGMENT UPON WAR FLANDIN’S BLUNT SPEECH WHOSE RESPONSIBILITY? SUPPORT FOR THE FRENCH WHOLE TRAIN OF NATIONS By Telegraph—Press Assn—Copyright. Rec. 9.40 p.m. London, March 21 M. Flandin’s speech in the French Senate is regarded as historic and was certainly characterised by fearless frankness. He traversed Herr Hitler’s declaration point by point and said Franco-Ger-man reconciliation could not be based on a travesty of truth and negation of law and justice. It was untrue that the German people had laid down their arms after a war which they had not wanted, the Prime Minister said. The world’s judgment regarding responsibility for the unchaining of war was given long ago, while if the German people laid down their arms it was because the coalition of nations, fighting for the right, was victorious, as it would be victorious in the future. These passages were received with loud cheers.

Declaring that it was untrue that Germany had fulfilled its obligations under the treaty M. Flandin said modifications of treaties were possible, but only within the framework of legality. "France hates war and all measures for maintenance of peace will be taken,” he continued. “The Government will not cease its efforts to group round itself a powerful block of States which have preserved the same ideals as ourselves. Let us remember to recreate a national soul and re-establish unity. Do not doubt that France has near her a whole train of nations which will join her in the hour of danger.”