NAVAL RACE IN EUROPE

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIX, Issue 20096, 1 May 1935, Page 7

NAVAL RACE IN EUROPE

DEEPEST CONCERN IN BRITAIN STATEMENT BY HITLER AWAITED British Official Wireless RUGBY, April 29. Anxiety regarding the international situation was revealed at question time to-day in the House of Commons, on its re-assembly after the Easter recess, and it became clear that the debate on foreign affairs on Thursday will be invested with much importance. The Foreign Secretary, Sir John Simon, when asked for a statement on the international situation, recalled the Prime Minister’s statement to the House on the Stresa Conference of British, Italian and French Ministers, and said that the results of the recent meeting of the League of Nations Council had been fully reported in the Press, and no doubt would be referred to during the debate later. He was asked whether he had been informed that the German Government had issued orders for the laying down of a number of submarine vessels, and for the reopening of the submarine school at Kiel, and what steps he proposed to take in view of this further flagrant violation of the Versailles Treaty. He replied that the German Government had Intimated that orders had been given for the construction of 12 250-ton submarines. The matter, he added, was now under consideration. No such official intimation had been made regarding the re-opening of the Kiel submarine school. Violations of Treaty Replying to Sir Austen Chamberlain, who asked when the intimation regarding the ordering of submarines was made to the Government, Sir John Simon, speaking from memory, said it was on April 25. I Captain Sidney Herbert asked if the | Government proposed to take steps to j bring this further violation of the Ver- ] sailles Treaty to the notice of the | League of Nations, and whether it is proposed to proceed with the arrangements for the Anglo-German naval conversations. Sir John Simon, after remarking that as its gravity obviously justified the matter now under consideration, expressed the hope that he would not be pressed for further answers to-day. Mr Geo. Lansbury said the Opposition took it for granted that the debate would open with a statement from the Government, and he hoped that the debate would be as broad as possible. The Prime Minister, Mr Ramsay Macdonald, said that these requests would certainly be complied with. In reply to Mr Winston Churchill, who asked for an assurance that as almost every day counted now, the second portion of the foreign affairs debate would take place before the middle of May. The Prime Minister said the Government had no desire unduly to delay the debate , Attitude Of Hitler Mr Will Thorne asked; Are you satisfied now that Herr Hitler told you the whole truth in Berlin? Captain Sidney Herbert: Does not Germany’s determination to build submarines constitute proof of German rearmament, particularly as directed against Britain? Sir John Simon made no reply. Mr S. Vyvyan Adams: Before it is too late, will Sir John Simon try to aet in concert with the Stresa Powers and Russia in measures to check this one-sided, dangerous and persistent repudiation of treaties? Sir John Simon made no reply. Vessels Already Afloat The “Daily Herald” says: “It was learned in London to-night that six of the German submarines, half of those to be built in defiance of the Versailles Treaty, are already afloat, and are complete in every detail. They are fully manned, and are ready to begin manoeuvres at Wilhelmshaven.’

BOLD ATTITUDE OF GERMANY. OFFICIAL STATEMENT FORECASTED United Press Association— By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received April 30, 7.0 p.m.) LONDON, April 30. The diplomatic correspondent of “The Daily Telegraph” learns that Herr Hitler proposes to issue an important statement on foreign policy about May 15. He does not wish the naval delegation to go to London until after that date. In the meantime the British Cabinet to-day considered the measures necessary to ensure air parity. The Government is satisfied it can keep abreast of German development, no matter how rapid. Diplomatic Hostility The German Ambassador, Herr von Hoesch, declined an invitation to the Lord Mayor’s Easter banquet at Mansion House, which forty-one members of the diplomatic corps are attending. Sir John Simon (Minister of Foreign Affairs) will be the principal speaker. NAVAL TRAINING IN GERMANY YOUTHS AT “SUBMARINE SCHOOL” United Press Association— By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received April 30, 7.0 p.m.) BERLIN, April 30. A report from Kiel says that young bluejackets can be seen in the streets wearing brassards inscribed: “U Boat Schole,” namely Submarine School. Officially, they are being instructed in anti-submarine defence duties.”