GERMANY’S REPLY.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20542, 18 February 1935, Page 1

GERMANY’S REPLY.

Proposed Air Convention Welcomed. British Official Wireless. RUGBY, February 15. The German reply to the AngloFrench declaration, issued at Berlin this evening, welcomes the spirit of friendly confidence animating the discussions between individual Governments which found expression in the Anglo-French communication. It says that the German Government will make an exhaustive examination of the entire complex which was laid before it of the European questions raised in the first part of the London communique. The proposed air convention is also welcomed and the German Government expresses readiness to seek as soon as possible in free agreement with the Governments concerned ways whereby such a convention as guarantees the greatest possible security to all signatories can become a reality. The German Government considers it desirable first to ciarify in separate conversations with the Governments increased a number of preliminary questions of principle, ana would be glad if the British Government, as that partner in the London conversations which is at. the same time a guarantor of the Locarno Pact, were to begin when ready to enter into a direct exchange of views on the subject with the German Government.

Concurrence is expressed with the opinion that an air convention would be an impe/rtant step toward solidarity among the European states calculated to lead to a solution of other European problems satisfactory to all the states. The text of the German reply is at present under careful examination in London. The German Government today communicated it also to the Italian and Belgian Governments.

SUBSTANCE VAGUE. British Official Wireless. RUGBY, February 16. Although the conciliatory tone of the German reply to the British communique ot February 3 is fully recognised, the Press generally are critical of its substance which, in certain respects, is regarded as vague and imprecise. It is emphasised in most newspapers that the projected Air Convention to whievh the German Government devotes most attention belongs essentially to the regional security system of Western Europe, while lor a general settlement the regional systems were considered in the Anglo-French conversations to be no less essential elsewhere in Europe. In reference to the suggestion that the British Government should enter into a direct exchange of views with the German Government on the subject of the Air Convention, the newspapers point out that in any case there must first be consultation with the French Government, which was provided for in the communique. These consultations probably will be conducted through the ordinary diplomatic channels.