HITLER’S OFFERS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 76, Issue 303, 23 December 1933, Page 9

HITLER’S OFFERS

I GERMANY AND FRANCE I THE BRITISH ATTITUDE SIR J. SIMON EXPLAINS .) [ British Official Wireless, i t RUGBY’, Dec. 21. a The House of Commons adjourned ', to-day for the Christmas recess. The - House is reassembling on January 29. The acting-Labour Leader (Major i Attlee) asked the Foreign Secretary 3 if he could give any information as to the progress made in the supplernenr tary and parallel conversations which have taken place with France and Germany. He also asked what was the attitude of the Government regarding the suggested alteration of the constitution of the League of Nations. Sir John Simon remarked that there had been very prompt and vigorous efforts from more capitals than one since Germany’s withdrawal from the Disarmament Conference. One of the most important things that had happened was that Herr Hitler had been making some declarations by wireless and other means which, whatever we might think of their contents, were of very j great moment to the world. One de- . claration was of special interest to France. Almost at tho same time as Germany withdrew, Herr Hitler said: “It would , be of the first importance for the two nations if Germany and France could once and for all ban the use of force from their common lives. No territorial conflict exists between the two countries.” So far as Germany being concerned themselves actively with what was really the purpose of those declarations, they had made it plain in making such inquiries that they were not expressing approval of some of the proposals which had been thrown out or indicated. But it did appear to them that it was c/rtainly their duty to do the utmost to clarify the situation and find out what was really behind it. It appeared that on the political side of the technical question of armament. Herr Hitler had made propositions which were certainly intended to be formal proposals, and that the information published that he was suggesting non-aggressive pacts between Germany and her neighbours was justified. As the Government understood it, the proposals under that head did not confine themselves to one particular neighbour, but were put forward for consideration by all of Germany’s neighbours. League Obligations. In dealing with the matter the Government had been very careful to indicate that they had not forgotten the obligations which rested on members of tho League, and, therefore, the form in which such pacts of non-aggression might be cast would have to be considered in view of the undoubted obligations which the Covenant put on the parties to it. The Government had also been in very close contact with those best informed on the French attitude. Inquiries and discussions between the various Governments and capitals had • been going on and were now being con- - tinned. Sir John Simon said that ho 1 would see the French Foreign Minister i in Paris, possibly to-morrow. They were in constant communication, and it ' was extremely important that they : should get as closely together as they ■ could in understanding how the sugges- 1 tions put forward by Germany stood in i regard to the policy and requirements j of Germany’s neighbours. , It is impossible to make any explicit , declaration when conversations were being pursued. There was, however, a ] moment coming w’hen undoubtedly j these different inquiries must be gath- j ered together to see what result they , produced. It was hoped to resume the j Disarmament Conference in January, ( when statements must be made as to t their results. Ho could not regard at this stage bilateral communications as j other than in the intermediate or preliminary stage, which ought to lead to a wider application. Regarding the inspection of armaments, he understood that the German Government, as part of their general scheme, were prepared to contemplate the establishment of international inspection and control of armaments of all countries periodically and automatically. In this respect there had undoubtedly been an advance in public opinion generally. ( - Regarding the League of Nations, Sir c John Simon reiterated that the British . policy was unswerving. It would stand { by and support tho League. Whilst x they observed declarations made by ( foreign countries indicating a desire * fore revision of the League, they had r no reason to suppose any definite proposals were being advanced. He did p not know of any. J c c f BRITISH SINCERITY J c GERMAN OFFICIALS CONVINCED. c v r Received Doc. 22, 10.50 p.m. ! BERLIN, Dec. 21. t Official circles approve of Sir John j. Simon’s declaration in the House of r Commons and are convinced of the British sincerity in trying to find a , just solution, to which Sir John S Simon’s visit.to Paris and Rome ami Sir Eric Phipps’ report to London are a great stop. Nevertheless, Germany must insist on a mimimum of safety, including an international reduction in aggressive weapons. NAZIS AND AUSTRIA DR. DOLLFUSS’ MOVE. * HERR HITLER APPROACHED. i i / s LONDON, IDec. 21. i, Inc Daily Telegraph correspondent f at Prague says that it is reported that Dr. Doi I fuss through intermediaries ap proached Herr Hitler with a view to the abolition of the ban upon German visitors to Austria, which is causing economic and political difficulties in Austria. In return Dr. Dollfuss offered to allow Gorman motor-cars and visitors to Austria the use of swastika emblems, and also allow Austrian Nazis to reconstruct the party under tnc name of the German National Party. It Herr Hitler curtly rejected the condi- n« tiona.