GERMAN PROTEST

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 244, 15 October 1936, Page 7

GERMAN PROTEST

SPEECHES IN ALSACE LACK OF FORMALITY FRENCH FREEDOM TO ACT IBy Telegraph—press Association—Copyright; PARIS, Oct. 13. The German Charge d’Altaires calle.,; at the Quai d'Orsay and protester, against M. Thorez's speech. The protest was energetic but its lack ot formality indicates that too much stress should not be laid on it. The demarche was limited to attention being drawn to passages in M. Thorez's speech, leaving France free to take such measures as she chooses to ensure respect for heads of foreign , States. It is understood that Germany not only objected to certain passages in , M. Thorez's speech but chiefly to a caricature of Herr Hitler which was posted behind the platform from which M. Thorez spoke. Parisian newspapers regard the German indignation at M. Thorezs speech as unexampled interference in French domestic politics and declare that it is probably part of a campaign to drive a wedge between France and Russia. Reports from the police show that M. Thorez said nothing really outrageous, and it is claimed that HenHitler said worse things about Russia at Nuremberg. It was reported yesterday that the German Ambassador at Paris had been instructed formally to protest to the French Government regarding the Communist speeches in Alsace on Sunday, chiefly that by M. Thorez, Communist leader, who was alleged to have insulted Herr Hitler and the German people by quoting extracts from Mein Kampf and interpreting them to mean that Herr Hitler was solely aiming at the annihilation of France. M. Thorez also reproached M. Blum for “capitulating to the blackmail of Hitler’s agents" in limiting the Communist meetings, and was alleged to have distorted Herr Hitler’s winter help speech into a declaration that it was wholesome for the worker to go hungry and that by war Germany might have an opportunity of regaining her former position in the world. REGARDED AS CLOSED Received Oct. 14, 11.50 p.m. PARIS, Oct. 13. . The Thorez incident is regarded by both sides as closed. The protest of Herr Forster, Charge d’Affaires, was in friendly terms and expressed confidence that a repetition of such incidents would be avoided. HITLER AND KEY MEN CONFERENCE AT BERCHTSGADEN BERLIN, Oct. 13. It is revealed that Herr Hitler met the key men on October 11 at Berchtsgaden in a final conference before the long autumn vacation and discussed a big building project for Berlin. The presence of the Minister of Education indicates that military and foreign questions were not foremost.