THE WHITE PAPER

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 59, 12 March 1935, Page 5

THE WHITE PAPER

GERMANY DISAPPOINTED ALLIES PROMISE BROKEN HERR RIBBENTROP’S REMARKS. 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. 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, but no German holds Britain responsible for the general increase in armaments. Accordingly we do not understand why she blames Germany for Britain’s increase. Moreover, under the Peace Tieaty Germany destroyed and surrendered almost her entire fleet, broke up 56,000 guns, many millions of rifles, 275,000 machine-guns, 30,000,000 grenades, dismantled every aeroplane, ploughed up the aerodromes, and destroyed railway platforms, and thus disarmed awaited the other nations’ fulfilment of their disarmament obligations. On the contrary they continued I rearming. The White Paper*s reference to Germany is neither true in fact nor politically necessary. The German Government 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, w r ith whom Germany, especially Herr Hitler, deeply and sincerely desires good relations, but the Versailles spirits must entirely disappear. /‘Only a completely free and equal State can negotiate reliant agreements with other sovereign States.” IN THE COMMONS MOST IMPORTANT DEBATE Received March 11, IU.L6 pan. LONDON, March JI. The newspapers describe Monday’s Commons debate on the White Paper as one of the most important in 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. “Oon Monday night,” says the Dail w Herald, “the House of Commons I will be invaded by mass deputations i who will protest against the Govern- ; meat’s rearmament policy. The invaI sion will be preceded by a service at I Christ Church, Westminster, conducted 'by Mrs. Maude Royden. League of Nations Union and other organisations are holding protest meetings throughout the country.” The Daily Telegraph’s political correspondent says that an arrangement has been made by which Mr. Baldwin will make the opening speech. Instead of the Socialist front bench proposing the vote of censure later, Major Attlee will submit the Socialist motion, to which Sir Austen Chamberlain will propose an amendment which will sum up the Ministerial view. Messrs. Samuel, Churchill, Amery and Maxton, and Sir Stafford Cripps, are other speakers.