European Crisis

Wairarapa Daily Times, 20 March 1936, Page 5

European Crisis

GERMANY A CULPRIT LEAGUE COUNCIL FINDING Press Association Electric Telecr«ioh—Copyright . (Received Friday, 9.20 a.m.) LONDON, Thursday. The League Council carried unanimously the French-Belgian resolution, finding that Germany had committed a breach of the Locarno and Versailles Treaties. The League Council A-oting Avas 11 to. nil. Chile abstained from A’oting, and Ecuador Avas absent. The ayes consisted of Argentina, Australia, Denmark, Britain, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Roumania, Russia, Spain and Turkey. Mr Stanley Bruce then inA T ited the parties to the dispute to register their votes, Avhieh he said, Avould not, lioaveA;er, be recorded. France and Belgium voted in the affirmative, and Germany in the negative. Herr von Ribbentrop has issued a statement, regretting the result, and declaring that'it would not have been that decision if members of the Council had had time to study his observations. A French delegation communique says the four PoAvers made great and satisfactory progress towards agreement. The position at present is that the delegates drafted among them a text, Avhieh is being put in the form in. Avhieh it is to be submitted to the. respective Governments. The communique is taken as indicating that agreement has been reached, pending ratification by the English and French Governments. M. Flandin left for Paris by air. ' THE GERMAN VIEW. ABLY EXPOUNDED. (Received Friday, 10.10 a.m.) LONDON, Thursday. Herr von Ribbentrop declared that Germany Avas attending the League Council in an endeavour to contribute to the clearing up bf the existing political situation. He said: —“I haA r e undertaken this mission Avitli real satisfaction, fully convinced that the Council Avas never presented Avith a cause more righteous, also hoping that this first resumption of relations betAveen Germany and the League Ayill mean a turning point in the history of Europe. After the manifold confusions of the post-Avar years, the Locarno Treaty left one of the most important and most populous portions of Germany Avithout military protection. From the standpoint of higher justice, such a limitation of sovereign rights would in the long run prove an intolerable condition, yet Germany obserA'ed it, expecting that the other Locarno PoAvers would as faithfully observe their obligations. France, hoAvever, has concluded a Fran-co-Soviet Pact, an alliance Avhieh is most serious for Germany, because it brings together 275,000,000 people. The contracting PoAvers, each by themselves very strong military PoAvers, are in an alliance exclusively directed against Germany.’ Russia, through a similar alliance Avith Czecho-Slovakia, has advanced her boundaries to the German frontier. France and Rusia, in certain circumstances, could name the aggressor Avithout referring to the League of Nations, and thus make - Avar against Germany. Her von Ribbentrop added: “If the present situation had existed Avhen the Locarno Treaty Avas signed, it is impossible to believe that Germany Avould have undertaken the obligations of the Pact. Germany at present Avas Avithout military alliances, and AA'ould be at a terrible disadA T antage in the eA T ent of trouble; nevertheless, she had accepted the Franco-Polish and Franco-Czccho-slovakian treaties, but none could expect her to tolerate a Franco-SoA'iet pact. The Franco-Soviet alliance constitutes a complete upsetting of the former European balance of poAver. It also sets aside fundamental, legal and political premises, on Avhieh the Locarno Treaty Avas concluded. Because France has failed, Germany has been compelled to reach equality in armaments in her oaa’ii fashion, Herr Hitler could not remain inactive, especially as he had held out the hand of reconciliation to France on numerous occasions since he assumed poiver, yet all his offers of pacification had been refused. Germany must therefore reject as incorrect an unjust accusation that she had violated the Locarno Pact. ”1 must explain, in the name of the German Government, that if the accusation of unilateral action is raised, Germany Avill be obliged to reject it, because it Avas not also raised against France.” ' > It is understood that Herr von Ribbentrop, after his speech, asked for a secret session of the Council, preceding the public meeting, to force an immediate A-ote, as he considered it AA 7 as not leaA’ing members of the Council sufficient time to deliberate, and expressed .surprise Avhen the Council refused. Herr von Ribbentrop’s move embarrassed Mr Stanley Bruce, but M. Flandin came to the rescue and moved that the Council should be adjourned until the. afternoon, saying that the vote could then be taken. He added: “I am too courteous, eA 7 en to Germans, to im- ’ pose an immediate A’ote.” Members of the Council noted that Kerr von Ribbentrop persistently described the Franco-Soviet Pact as a Franco-Soviet military alliance. German circles emphasise that, as Herr von Ribbentrop is in constant telephonic communication Avith Herr Hitler, the statement A\-as made Avith the full backing and approval of the Chancellor.

LOCARNO POWERS’ SESSION. PROGRESS ANNOUNCED. LONDON, Wednesday. The meeting of the Locarno Powers ended at 2 a.m. A communique says:—"The meeting examined the draft of a general agreement subject to the reservation of certain items requiring further examination. Notable progress has been made.” Messrs Anthony Eden, Ramsay MacDonald and Neville Chamberlain and Viscount Halifax held a conference after the meeting. It is understood that tlie Locarno Powers have already reached an agreement on three points, namely:— Firstly, that there shall firstly be

an appeal to The* Hague Court regarding the compatibility of the Franco-Soviet Pact Avith the Locarno Treaty; Secondly, a demilitarised zone only , on the German side of the frontier, policed by international forces; Thirdly, an agreement regarding collaboration betAveen the British and French General Staffs. NEWSPAPER REPORT. GERMAN OBDURACY. LONDON, Wednesday. The “Daily Telegraph’s” diplomatic correspondent understands that Herr von Ribbentrop’s hands are tied. He is unable to take any step Avithout telephonic communication Avith Berlin. German circles state that no compromise is possible on tAvo points—Germany will not agree to the reference of the Franco-Soviet Pact to the Hague Court, or to the tvithdraAval of troops from the Rhineland. “HERALD OF PEACE.” HITLER’S POSE. BERLIN, Wednesday. Amid wild enthusiasm, Herr Hitler delivered an election speech at Konigsberg, in Avhieh he confessed he had not wished to be a dictator, but could not ‘ otherwise have assumed responsibility. He described himself as a herald of peace -in Europe, and sounded the customary note about fighting for German equality in the comity of nations. He emphasised the impossibility of basing the League of Na'tions on dictates, adding that he might have taken things more easily, remained in the League, submitted to Germany’s inequality in armaments, and steered a comfortable course. He might steer it even noiv. Nevertheless, nobody would understand Germany’s arguments unless she stood, up for herself, but she did not Avish to harm anyone. No power on earth, however, could deter him from the decisions he had taken. Germany must support him to the utmost of her poAver. Her democracy was different from the democracy of other peoples, and she had no intention of imposing a specific German democracy upon them. CHAIN OF FORTS. SWISS PRECAUTION. BERNE, Wednesday. The GoA'ernment Avill erect a chain of forts along the Savlss Rhine to the Bavarian Alps. Preliminary surveys have been completed and barricades and mines prepared at the most vulnerable spots on the frontier, and guards have been strengthened. BRITISH M’S.P. CONFER. SUPPORT FOR GOVERNMENT. RUGBY; Wednesday. Nearly 200 members of the House of Commons attended a meeting of the Foreign Affairs Committee 1 of supporters of the National Government last night, Avhen discussion on the European situation Avas continued. A variety of vieAvs Avas expressed. The meeting Avas agreed as to the objects to Avhieh British policy should be directed, and as the discussion proceeded it became more and more agreed as to the methods to be employed. All speakers laid stress on the importance, of restraint in dealing Avith the present crisis, as Avell as on the necessity for loyally abiding by obligations defined bv treaty. The meeting Avas satisfied that the Government is acting on these lines. —British Wireless.