REPLY TO WHITE PAPER

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIX, Issue 20055, 12 March 1935, Page 7

REPLY TO WHITE PAPER

GERMAN CHALLENGE TO BRITAIN

ACCURACY OF CHARGES QUESTIONED United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, March 10. “The British White Paper has not caused indignation in Germany, but bitter disappointment,” said Herr Ribbentrop, Herr Hitler’s plenipotentiary for disarmament, when interviewed by Mr G. Ward Price for the “Daily Mail.” “No German understands its publication on the eve of Sir John Simon’s visit, which we thought marked a new spirit of confidential consultation. Germany understands that Britain must be strong in a highly armed world. No German holds Britain responsible for the general increase in armaments, and accordingly we do not understand why she blames Germany for Britain’s increase. Moreover, under the Peace Treaty, Germany destroyed and surrendered almost her entire fleet, broke up 56.000 guns, many millions of rifles, 275,000 machine guns, 39,000,000 grenades, dismantled every aeroplane, ploughed up the aerodromes, destroyed railways and platforms and was thus disarmed. She awaited other nations’ fulfilment of disarmament obligations. On the contrary they continued rearming. The White Paper’s reference to Germany is neither true in fact nor politically necessary. The German Government particularly resented the attempt to establish a distinction between Herr Hitler’s declarations and intentions, and the tendency of German public opinion, especially regarding German youth training. Germany will always be ready to collaborate with other nations, particularly Britain, with whom Germany, especially Herr Hitler, deeply and sincerely desires good relations, but the Versailles spirit must entirely disappear. Only a completely free and equal State can negotiate reliant agreements wfth other sovereign States.” Baron von Neurath (German Foreign Minister) informed Sir Erie Phipps (British Ambassador in Germany) that Herr Hitler is recovering and is spending a fortnight at a watering place, after which he hoped to arrange the date for the conversation with Sir John Simon, who is expected to visit Berlin almost simultaneously with Mr R. A. Eden going to Moscow. The visit will probably take place between March 23 and March 30, provided Herr Hitler was recovered. RECEPTION IN BRITAIN IMPORTANT DEBATE PENDING United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received March 11, 9.55 p.m.) LONDON, March 11. The newspapers describe Monday's debate in the House of Commons on the White Paper as one of the most important of this Parliament. Since the White Paper was issued, there has been a growing volume of Liberal and Labour speeches throughout the country in opposition to it. “On Monday night,” says “The Daily Herald” (Labour), “the House of Commons will be invaded by a mass of deputations, who will protest to their members against the Government’s rearmament policy. The invasion will be preceded by services at Christ Church and at Westminster Abbey, which will be conducted by Miss Maude Royden, the League of Nations’ Union, the National Peace Council, and the Labour Co-operative Parties. The Free Church is holding protest meetings throughout the country.” The political correspondent of “The Daily Telegraph” says: “An arrangement has been made by which Mr Stanley Baldwin will make the opening speech, instead of the Socialist Front Bench proposing a vote of censure. Later Major C. R. Attlee will submit a Socialist motion, to which Sir Austen Chamberlain will propose an amendment which will sum up the ministerial view.

“Sir Herbert Samuel, Mr Winston Churchill, Mr L. C. M. S. Amery, Mr J. Maxton and Sir Stafford Cripps are the other speakers.”