GERMAN HOPES STATED

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 280, 25 November 1937, Page 7

GERMAN HOPES STATED

HITLER’S OFFER TO POWERS NO COLONIAL ISSUE FOR SIX YEARS FREE HAND SOUGHT IN CENTRAL EUROPE (By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright) .Received Nov. 24, 5.5 p.m. LONDON, Nov. 24. The Daily Telegraph’s diplomatic correspondent says that the question of colonies, Austria, Czechoslovakia and the general Central European situation, will be included in London discussions with M. 31. Chautemps and Dclbos. All these questions figured in the talks between Herr Hitler and Lord Halifax. Herr Hitler is believed to have emphasised that if the British and French Governments do not interfere in the Danubian question, Germany will not strive for territorial expansion and will refrain from resort to use physical force. It is understood that Germany is demanding’ immediate recognition of her right to own colonies, but will not press for a return of the territories taken from her, at least until various Central European problems are satisfactorily settled. The diplomatic correspondent of the Manchester Guardian thus summarises the German demands as outlined to Lord Halifax by Herr Hitler:— (1) Germany is willing to rejoin the League on condition that the Covenant is redrafted, the sanctions clauses amended, every connection between the League and the peace treaties severed, the war guilt clause cancelled, and Italian sovereignty in Abyssinia recognised by Britain. (2) Britain to consent to the reorganisation of Czechoslovakia on the model of the Swiss federal system with “Sudetanland” receiving a status analogous with Swiss Canton. (3) Britain to pledge herself to refrain from giving Austria any diplomatic, political or military assistance. (4) Germany pledges to refrain from raising the colonial issue for six years if Britain, in return, will pledge herself to assist Germany in recovering her former colonies when the six years is over. Germany promises not to establish naval or military bases in the former colonies. (5) Germany promises to do her best toward restoring peace in Spain when the British Government has given de jure recognition to the Salamanca Government. (6) Germany promises to do her best toward restoring peace in the Far East. Germany also demands a revision of minorities treaties. Sudetanland is Ihc region inhabited by the Sudetie German minority. “The acceptance of the German proposals,” says the Guardian, “will mean a crisis between the British and French proposals.” In a leading article, the Guardian says: “Britain clearly will not accept a programme under which she is invited 1o barter her interests and duty in Central Europe and she will be less disposed to do so when she reflects on what acceptance would mean to the European countries which still look to Britain as a friend and champion in upholding international right and order. What Germany demands is a free hand in Austria and Czechoslovakia. Although Britain has an interest in both countries, Britain is virtually asked to recognise Austria and Czechoslovakia as German ‘spheres of interest.’ ”

CABINET TO MEET REPORT ON VISIT STATEMENT TO BE MADE TO COMMONS [ British Official Wirelees.] RUGBY, Nov. 23. Lord Halifax had half an hour’s audience with the King at Buckingham Palace after a meeting of the Privy Council. Lord Halifax will report on his German visit at to-morrow’s meeting □f Cabinet, after which Mr. Neville Zhamberlain will make a statement m the House of Commons.

FRENCH COLONIES MARKET FOR GERMANY LONDON, Nov. 23. The Paris correspondent of The Times says that, following a statement by M. Moutet, Minister for the Colonies, that he was prepared to make colonial concessions to Germany conditional on their being of a non-political character, a semi-official communique states that the Government is willing to study the granting of credits by Germany to public bodies in French colonies for the purchase of equipment. These credits would be reimbursed by annuities from colonial produce, thus providing a new market for German goods and making colonial produce more easily available.