VERSAILLES TREATY

Waipukurau Press, Volume XXX, Issue 63, 19 March 1935, Page 6

VERSAILLES TREATY

“Flagrant Violation” GERMANY’S DANGEROUS ACT BANISHES SECURITY By Telegraph—Copyright —Press Assn. LONDON, March 18. “The Times’’ says: If Herr Hitler’s move is simply a rather crude method of asserting German equality then no irreparable harm has been done and the negotiations can go forward and Sir John Simon’s visit to Berlin can be paid. The purpose of a British policy is to organise a collective system of security for Europe, but it is of urgent importance to know from Herr Hitler himself whether Germany intends sincerely and wholeheartedly to join in an equitable plan for general limitation of armaments. So flagrant a violation of the treaty can hardly be passed over in silence and may properly give occasion for a formal protest by other signatories. The manner of the denunciation of the treaty is characteristic of the methods of the Dictator. The French extension of conscript service is calculated only to maintain the total of military effectives, which otherwise would be halved in the next few years in consequence of the de. clino in the birthrate during the war years.

The “Daily Telegraph’’ in an editorial says: Obviously, if Germany claims an army of half a million there is no hope whatever of an arms agreement, between France and Germany, and security vanishes again into the mists. There can be no thought of the British Government condoning this violation of the treaty. The “Financial Times,’’ dealing with the financial aspects of the Hitlerite declaration, expresses the opinion that it must bring uncertainty to markets, but there is no cause for alarm. The crucial fact which the city should grasp is that Herr Hitler has not changed the actualities of the international situation and it is unlikely to involve punitive action. The financial machine will be slowed down, but it must not be overlooked that a satisfied Germany is more likely to contribute to the international re-settlement than a great nation suffering a sense of grievance. Tho “Mornifig Post” says: Nothing short of war will establish the armament clauses of the Treaty of Versailles and not even pacifists are io foolish as to propose war for such purposes. It seems a sounder and possibly safer position to rest upon the old naked realities.

Cabinet Conference The “Daily Telegraph,’s” diplomatic correspondent says: The three National Government leaders, Mr Ramsay MacDonald, Mr Stanley Baldwin and Sir John Simon, conferred to-day on the need for a prompt and unequivocal statement regarding the British attitude. During the day Sir John Simon prepared a draft note to the German Government, which Cabinet will consider on Monday morning. Ministers evidently consider that Germany, by taking the law into her own hands, has destroyed the basis on which the direct Anglo-German discussions were to have been held at Berlin. The talks were intended to establish a legal basis for German re-armament within a general European security system. Security was to have been given by pacts within the framework of the League and by fixing levels for national armament. This system, by common consent, was to supersede the special limitations under the Versailles Treaty. Germany, having chosen to fix her own armament level in advance, will now be asked to explain what basis remains for the talks she so eagerly sought.

French Suggestions France has suggested that the changed situation demands fresh French, Italian and British consideration of the Anglo-French declaration. Britain is unlikely to delay for any such formal meeting. The Government feels that Europe is awaiting a. clearcut British statement of policy. Poland and the Soviet are specially interested. The latest developments invest Sir 'Anthony Eden’s visit to Moscow with increased importance, as Poland’s future policy will be greatly influenced hy Britain’s. Claims to Superiority The French Government considers that the repudiation of the Versailles Treaty could properly be considered by the League Council. Britain and France are in complete agreement that the German figures could never be accepted. Claims to equality have given place to the German assertion of the right to superiority. France could not

i even equal German strength. Britain I never contemplated the German army exceeding 300,000. The “Daily Herald’’ counsels the country to keep a cool head and says: There will be voices enough to shout panic*. Saturday’s declaration was clearly foreseen several years ago. It is the logical and inescapable consequence of the tragic history of the Disarmament Conference. European powers can either plunge along with Germany into hopeless competition in armaments or they can make this the occasion for a new effort to secure allround limitation. Sanity can turn Herr Hitler’s declaration from a great disaster into a great opportunity for increasing the authority of the League of Nations, making it an effective instrument for restraining a would-be aggressor. The Belgian Cabinet will consider the situation late to-day. The newspaper “Nation Beige,” describes Her Hitler’s decree as “a monument of impudence. ’ ’

Effect on Conversation The proclamation was issued eight days before the date fixed for the arrival in Berlin of Sir John Simon and Mr Eden for conversations with Herr Hitler and members of the German Government. The basis of those conversations was to be the Anglo-French declaration of February 3, issued after the London talks. That declaration which stated that the object of the London meeting had been “to promdte the peace of the world by closer European co-operation in a spirit of most friendly confidence and to remove those tendencies which if unchecked were calculated to lead to a race in armaments and increase the dangers of war,’’ among other things stated that the French and British Ministers were “agreed that neither Germany nor any Power whose armaments have been defined by the peace treaties is entitled by unilateral action to modify these obligations, but they further agreed that nothing would contribute more to the restoration of confidence and the prospect of peace among the nations than a general settlement freely negotiated between Germany and the other Powers.’’

The situation created by the German proclamation was considered at a meeting of Ministers in London This morning. The Prime Minister and Sir John Simon at once returned from the country to-day. Views were exchanged between London, Paris and Rome.

London newspapers regard the development as very serious. The “Sunday Times” says That Britain’s policy is to work for a system of collective security through the League of Nations and expresses the view that collective security certainly is threatened by Germany’s new departure, since it causes alarm, increases uncertainty and further alienates her neighbours.

A statement on German conscription will be made in the House of Commons This is expected to be an announcement whether Germany’s decision will lead to the abandonment or fulfilment of Sir John Simon’s visit to Berlin. The question is whether the basis of the Anglo-German negotiations can be reconstructed.

Serious Implications Herr Hitler’s decision has serious implications, particularly regarding ’he Anglo-French declaration of February 8, aiming at the resettlement of Europe, because the decision departs entirely from the basis thereof. A disturbing circumstance is that German effectives will number 500,000, whereas with the increase of compulsory service France would maintain her effectives at the old figure of 400,000.

“An armaments race is a fact as plain as a pikestaff,” said Mr Herbert Morrison, speaking at St. Helens. “British Socialists had better harbour no illusions about Hitler Nazis being friends of peace. Germany’s repudiation of Versailles and adoption of conscription will add another tragic sequel to the war.” Sir Phillip Gibbs, introducing an. official war film at Croydon, said: “People said in .1918 good-bye to all that and resolved to do everything possible to avoid a repetition, but the hope that sanity would re-enter the world is fading. Last night’s news does not encourage the conviction that peace will remain. The world is going mad again. Youth has not marched on to what we older men hoped for. The same old minds which arranged the last war are, I fear, busy arranging the next.” The “Daily Mail” says: There is no reason for hysteria or panic at Herr Hitler’s action. Closely examined in involves only a change of labels. It is far better that each Power should create the defences it considers necessary for security than keep the world in a state of anxiety and unrest by fussy and futile negotiations. The “News-Chronicle’’ says: Ger-

many’s announcement is even more ill-timed than the issue of the British White Paper, but there are some mitigating features leaving sufficient hope to justify resumption of the Berlin negotiations. What will ultimately be necessary is a conference of responsible heads of all States chiefly concerned.

CLAIMS BY TURKEY EQUAL RIGHTS TOO By Telegraph—Copyright —Press As. GENEVA, March 18. Dispatches received here suggest serious danger now that Germany has denounced the military clauses of the Versailles Treaty—that Austria, Hungary, Turkey and Bulgaria will renew their claims to equal rights. It is recalled that Turkey always has protested against the creation of the demilitarised zones at the Dardanelles and the Bosphorous. The Soviet, now Turkey’s ally, is supporting the latter’s right to fortify the Dardanelles, which the British and Italians have consistently opposed on the ground that the Turks and Russians would thus dominate the Black Sea both in peace time and in war time. Hungary always has protested against being allowed an army of only 45,000 though surrounded by Little Entente countries able to muster 4,500,000 trained men.

WORSHIP OF FORCE VERSAILLES A SCRAP OF PAPER PARIS, March 17. The Government is presenting a Note to Britain setting forth France’s views and suggesting an immediate consultation, which may result in a protest, possibly to the League of Nations. The Press is not surprised at Herr Hitler’s action, but protests aerainst its brutality.

The “Excelsior” says “Versailles is a scrap of paper” and urges the conconclusion of Franco-Italian and Franco-Russian ententes.

“Le Journal” says: An act in violation of sworn faith is an outrage only explicable by the worship of force. “Pertinax,” in the “Echo de Paris,” hopes England will cancel Sir John Simon’s visit, which now can only be an act of weakness. Though the Chancelleries of Europe are excited over Herr Hitler’s announcement, the Franco-German Association football match, which Germany won by 3 to 1, was played in a most sporting atmosphere. A crowd of 40,000 French people stood silent and bareheaded as the German team and 1500 supporters song “Deutschland Über Alles.” The Germans were equally respectful when the French sang the “Marseillaise.” The crowd cheered the visitors’ clever play.

“WAVERING POLICY” RUSSIA BLAMES BRITAIN kjjjj ———— MOSCOW, March 17. The Press blames wavering British policy for German conscription. The “Pravda” says: The Wilhelmstrasse, encouraged by the softness with which British diplomacy reacted to Herr Hitler’s light cold touch, declares the Versailles Treaty a scrap of paper LITTLE ENTENTE’S STAND BUCHAREST, March 17. Members of the Little Entente refuse to permit Hungary and Bulgaria to follow Germany’s rearmament. The pro-French Press says that Herr Hitler’s actions will cement existing alliances. Rumania relies on Anglo-Franco-Italian accord.

JAPAN MARKS TIME • TOKIO, March 17. The Foreign Office, commenting on Herr Hitler s action, indicated that Japan, while a signatory to the Versailles Treaty, remains a distant nation geographically from the European muddle and will await concrete developments before participating in a conference if called.

WITH SUDDENNESS BERLIN, March 17. With characteristically dramatic suddenness, Germany has reintroduced conscription. ■ The first intimation was made at a gathering of foreign newspapermen late this afternoon, which Dr. Goebbels (German Minister for Propaganda) summoned. He announced that Hitler had returned from Bavaria yesterday and discusssed the international situation with his Ministers. He had summoned a special meeting this afternoon, which passed

a Bill entitled:— “Law for . the reconstruction of Germany’s defence force,” containing three articles:— Firstly: Service in the German armed forces on the basis of general compulsory service. Secondly: A large peace army to consist of 12 corps, headquarters and 36 divisions. Thirdly: The Minister of Defence to be responsible for carrying out the provisions.

PREVIOUS DEMAND EXCEEDED LONDON, March 17. It is understood that Baron von Neurath informed Sir Eric Phipps that Germany’s armed forces under a conscription basis would number (500,000. This compares with Germany’s previous demand for 300,000. The British armament sub-commit--tee wifi meet on Sunday afternoon.