EXPLORATORY QUEST

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 85, 11 April 1935, Page 7

EXPLORATORY QUEST

WHAT LEADERS THINK SIR J. SIMON’S STATEMENT ATTITUDE TO PEACE PACTS. Received April 10, 5.5 p.m. LONDON. April 9. Ln his s:/ent in the House of Commons, Sir John Simon said that as regard the so-called Eastern Pact, Herr Hitler had made it plain That Germany was not prepared to sign an Eastern Pact under which Germany would be bound to mutual assistance. In particular, Germany was not prepared to enter into a pabt of mutual assistance between herself and Russia. On the other hand, Germany was stated io be in favour of a non-aggression pact between the Powers interested in the Eastern European question, together with provisions for consultation if aggression was threatened. Herr Hitler was not prepared in the conditions to contemplate the inclusion of Lithuania in any pact of non-aggression. Germany had also suggested that if in spite of this pact of non-aggression and consultation, hostilities should break out between any two of the contracting Powers, the other contracting Powers should engage not to support the aggressor in any way. Herr Hitler dwelt on the difficulty of identifying the aggressor. Asked as to his view if some other parties to such a pact entered into an agreement of mutual assistance as amongst themselves. Herr Hitler stated that he considered this idea was dangerous and objectionable, as in his opinion it would tend to create special interests in a group within the wider system. Security System. In Moscow, Mr. Eden learned that the Soviet Government considered that the present international situation made it more than ever necessary to pursue the endeavour to promote the building up of a security system in Europe as contemplated in the London communique, and in conformity with the principles of the League. The Soviet Government emphasised that in its view the proposed Eastern Pact did not aim at the isolation or encirclement of

acv State, but at. the creation of equal security for all participants, and it felt that the participation of both Germany and Poland in the pact would afford lhe best solution of the problem. Ln Warsaw, Mr. Eden learned the ! \ lew of the Polish Government on this question. M. Beck, the Polish Foreign Minister, explained that Poland had, by her existing agreements with the Soviet Union on one hand, and with Germany on the other, established tranquil condiI lions upon her two frontiers, and the question Poland was gound to ask herself was whether any new proposal would improve or trouble the good atmosphere thereby established. The question of the Eastern Pact was also briefly reviewed in a short interview which Mr. Eden had with M. Benes at Prague. Central European Pact. As regards the idea of a Central European Pact, which was more par tirularlv rhe tonic of the Franco-Italiar

ticulariy the topic ot trie r ranco-itanan meeting at Rome, the British Ministers understood in Berlin that the German Government did not reject the idea of such an arrangement on the grounds of principle, but did not see its necessity. and saw great difficulty in defining ‘•non-interference” in relation to Austria. Hitler intimated, however, that if other Governments who should wish to conclude a Central European Pact could agree upon the text the German Government would consider it. In Warsaw M. Beck told Mr. Eden that Poland was prepared to adopt a I friendly attitude towards a Central European Pact, and considered that the proposed arrangement might lead to an appeasement and to the growth of con fidence in that region M. Rones, in Prague, had expressed [the hope that further progress might be i made on this subject at Stresa. Land Armaments. In regard to land armaments, Herr Hitler stated that Germany required 36 division representing the maximum of 550,000 soldiers of all arms, includ ing a division of S.S. (guard troops), and militarised police troops. Germany, he said, claims to possess all types of arms possessed by other countries, and was not prepared to refrain from the construction of certain type? until other countries ceased to possess them. If the other countries would abandon certain types Germany, he said, would do the samp.

Naval Armaments. As regards naval armaments, Germany claimed with certain reserves 35 per cent, of British tonnage and an air parity between Britain, France, and Germany, provided that the development of the Soviet air force was not such that a revision of these figures would become necessary. Continuing his statement, Sir John Simon said if any general agreement a.s to arms limitation could be reached Germany would be prepared to accept and work in a system of permanent and automatic supervision on the understanding that such supervision applied to all Powers equally. Her Hitler said the Gorman Government favoured the suggestion contained in the London communique of the air pact between the Locarno Powers. The League of Nations. On the subject of the League, of Nations, Hitler referred to the assertion he made in May, 1933, that Germany would not continue to participate in the League if she was to remain what he described as a country of inferior rights, and alleged by the way of example that she was in a position of inferiority if she had no colonies. Sir John Simon continued: “I have confined myself to an account of what was said by others, but it must not be supposed that British Ministers did not incidate strong disagreement on certain points, and, indeed, at the end of the Berlin interview, T expressed disappointment at the difficulties disclosed in the way of an agreement.” His statement was purely objective, and, in view of the fact that the comments of leading newspapers in Britain were sometimes supposed on the Continent to represent Government opinion, it was desirable to state that His Majesty’s Government were faithful to the assurance that they would take part at Stresa without previously reaching defined conclusions. They had not yet formulated their attitude to these interviews and he hoped the opinion aroused would await the official utterance of the Government before drawing inferences from any unauthorised comments and pronouncements. Mr. Lansbury’s Views. Following Sir John Simon’s statement, Mr. Lansbury remarked that he was expressing the view of a very considerable body of opinion when he said that it was hoped the Government policy a.t Stresa of collective security, through the League of Nations based, not merely on the piling up of poison gas or armaments, but on disarmament. Early Debate Wanted. Sir Austen Chamberlain joined Mr. Lansbury and Sir Herbert Samuel in a demand for the earliest possible debate On European conferences. He said the only object was that the Government should know, in these critical times, that they had the support and authority of the House behind them. Mr. Maxton protested that Mr. MacDonald and Sir John Simon might undertake commitments at Stresa and Geneva of which, the House had no indication. “We have heard where Italy, Germany. Russia and Poland stand,*” Mr. Maxtnn said, Sir John Simon said that nobody contemplated that Britain or anyone else would enter commitments at Geneva on April .15, Sir E. W. Grigg: While our representatives at Geneva, will not enter fresh commitments without consulting Parliament, I hope they will nevertheless make it clear that we stand by our existing- commitments. Mr. ' G. Le M. Mander: Is it not possible for the Goveminent io state its policy before going to Stresa and Geneva? May wc be assured that the Government really has a policy? No reply was given No Definite Commitment

Answering various’ supplementary questions, Sir John Simon gave an assurance that as, in the case of the previous conference, no definite commitment would be entered into without a previous discussion in Parliament. The Government’s freedom of action, he said, would not be affected in any way by what passed at Stresa. The conference would be followed closely by a special meeting of the League Coun&il, but he did not anticipate that matters would there reach me final stage. Asked to explain Germany’s reason for the exclusion of Lithuania from the countries with whom she is willing to make bi-lateral non-aggression pacts, Sir John Simon said that the icason given was confined to present circumstances, and he referred to the difference in connection with Memel. Further asked whether the Government had considered putting down the question of Memel on the agenda at the League meeting, Sir John Simon said that the British Government had not waited until now, but had taken up the matter and pressed it on several occasions. At the end of last month they had communicated with the French and Italian Governments on the subject, and he hoped shortly to learn more clearly what their views were, as the three Governments had a special interest in the Memel question. The Prime Minister was ■ asked whether, in order to remove misappre-

hensions in German official quarters, and which if allowed to continue must tions, His Majesty’s Government would consider the advisability of intimating to the German Government that the transfer to Germany of any colonial mandate by His Majesty's Government was a matter which they were not in any circumstances pre- i . pared to consider. Mr. MacDonald replied that he had no reason to suppose that the German Government was under any such misapprehension. The policy of His Majesty’s Government had been repeatedly and clearly stated by the present and previous Governments. ON ISLAND PALACE GUESTS OF PRINCE BORROMEO. . | (Times Cable.) Received April 10, 11.5 p.m. LONDON, April 10. The Milan correspondent of the Times say's that Signor Mussolini L 3 expected at Stresa to-day. He will be . the guest of Prince Borromea in the I Palace on the Island of Isola Bella. The Anglo-French Ministers will stay ! at the Grand Hotel, Stresa, but will . take their meals at the Palace in the s room known as “The Room of the r Medals,” representing episodes in the life of St. Charles Borromeo. s The Conference sittings will be held . in the music room. The Prince has - done everything to give his guests a c . taste of the family’s traditional hospiv tality. All his staff will be. in costume and 16 liveried footmen will wait on Signor Mussolini and the British and French Ministers.

FURTHER CABINET MEETING Received April 10, 11.5 p.m. LONDON, April 1(1. A further meeting of Cabinet will be held to-morrow morning before the departure of the Prime Minister and Sir John Simon to Stresa. They will fly as far as Paris. BRITISH DELEGATION distinguished persomnel. Received April 10. 7.8 p.m. LONDON, April 9. The importance the British Government attaches to Stresa talks is shown by the inclusion of Sir Robert Vansittart, Permanent Under-Secretary to the Foreign Office, Mr. S. R. William Malkin, legal adviser, Mr. Pi. F. Wigram, head of the Central [Department, Mr. W. Strand, head o‘ the League section, and Mr. R. A. Leeper, head of the News Department. Thev will be accompanied by Signor Grandi, Italian Ambassador to London and will be joined at Stresa by Sir Eric Drummond and two high officials from the British Embassy at Rome.