SPANNER IN COGS

Wairarapa Daily Times, 20 April 1935, Page 5

SPANNER IN COGS

• GEE-MAN fi7bIGNATIOISr.: " . ■■■ ■ 1 .;. ... . •. ii ; v - . . ' : Press Association Electrie Telegraph—Cop/ngh* Berlin, Friday. The Geneva resolution is regarded as' a spanner in the cogs of European diplomacy, prolonging the tension. It is considered that the League has been used as an instrument of French policy there. There is resentment against Britain owing to Sir John Simon’s' action in ‘ ‘ condemning Germany in matters presumed to have been settled during conversations with Herr Hitler. ” Herr Hitler is conferring with Baron Von Neurath, Foreign Minister, and Herr Ribbcntrop at Munich, and is reported to bo issuing Germany’s answer to the Geneva resolution on Saturday, his forty-sixth birthday. The British Ambassador at Berlin, Sir Erie Phipps, was summoned by Herr Von Bulow, who expressed the German Government’s indignation at the resolution passed by the League of Nations’ Council, and Britain’s attitude in supporting it. • The Berlin correspondent of “the Times” states that the reaction to the Geneva resolution is augCr and exasperation. The League’s condemnation is unlikely to frighten tlio Germans or to make them more amenable. Germany considers her honour slighted, and scornfully rejects the suggestion that tlio resolution leaves the Geneva door open to her. The “News-Chronicle’s” Geneva correspondent says that Herr Hitler piobably would have returned to the League in the autumn if a resolution less severe had been passed. Tho Geneva correspondent of ‘ The Times” says that Germany now is unlikely to attend the Rome conference, which, probably, will result in the other Powers signing a pact of non-interfer-once in Austria. The Romo Conference also is likely to recommend the restoration of military rights _ to- Hungary, Yugo-Slavia and Bulgaria.

HITLER’S THREAT. LONDON, Friday. _ The “Daily Telegraph’s” diplomatic correspondent at Geneva reveals that half an hour before the vote on the resolution, the German Government endeavoured to secure modification of the resolution on tho lines urged by Denmark, namely, the elimination of all reference to the name Germany. Word reached Geneva from the Wilhclinstras.se that if the Council adopted tho resolution as it stood, Herr Hitler would decline to enter any form of international negotiation with other Governments. It remains to be seen whether this threat will be earned out. If it is. Germany will deliberately have adopted a policy of complete isolation. M. LITVINOFF’S ATTACK. GENEVA, Wednesday. The most noteworthy statement before tho League Council was that of M. Litvinoff, Russian Commissar for foreign Affairs. Not specifically mentioning Germany, lie violently attacked “people who announced to the world a revengeful programme of unlimited foreign c.oiiquests,.whereby the independence of foreign States would be destroyed.” He added: “Wliat i be done with a State that brings up people in that spirit? We are happy to have the assurance that they are ready to colaborate in ensuring the collective security of States, including /liemselves. In the absences therefrom we are bound to draw appropriate conclusions.” , . -M. Litvinoff caused perturbation in proposing that the condemnation of unilateral treaty violations should apply to other continents than Europe, obviously hinting at Japan. _ Following warm intervention by bir John Simon, M. Laval and Baron Aloisi, M.- Litvinoff withdrew his proThe discussion indicated the tremendous influence of the Anglo-Franco-Italian unity. The fact that only Denmark, for special reasons, abstained from voting, is regarded as a triumph of the Stresa policy, and a lesson and a warning to Germany. Tlio council concluded by paying a tribute to the British Ministers’ work during their European visits.

BITTER GERMAN COMMENT.

(Received Saturday, 11.30 a.m.) BERLIN, Friday,

From the fact . s tlmt it often reflects Baron von Neuratli’s opinion much discussion has been caused by a bitter article in the “Frankfurter Zeitung, which claims it worked year m and year out for international peace. It then proceeds: “When we note at Geneva M. Laval’s antiquated phrases, Sir J. Simon’s cold lawyer’s words, M. Litvinoff’s gritting insincerities, and Mr Ramsay MacDonald’s protestations of peaceful intent, wo cannot refrain from telling Geneva’s organisers that we are sick of it. This entire rubbish of self-righteousness surrounding Germany becomes doubly painful when expressing itself through Mr MacDonald’s tragic figure. We will not collapso under your verdict. Do not be surprised if some day the whole League breaks down. Do you believe that alliances built on tho quicksands of temporary interest will prove sounder than the right of an oppressed nation which has now come into possession of its true strength.” MUST SHOW A BOLD FRONT. (Received Saturday, 11.30 a.m.) LONDON, Friday. “Tho Times” Berlin correspondent says that the Press points out that Herr Hitler’s birthday coincides with the moment when Germany must show a bold front to a hostile world. SEMI-OFFICIAL VIEW. (Received Saturday, 11.30 a.m.) BERLIN, Friday. A semi-official commentary describes tho Geneva resolution as an unfavour? able omen for successful international negotiations, and asks why if England wished to continue these -with Germany as a partner, she participated in a one-sided gesture at Geneva, but adds, “that Germany will not be deviated by that from peaceful aims.”