PLAYING WITH LIRE

Waikato Times, Volume 113, Issue 18944, 15 May 1933, Page 7

PLAYING WITH LIRE

HITLER’S ATTITUDE.

WARLIKE PREPARATIONS

TENSE FEELING IN EUROPE.

ADDRESS BY VON PAPEN. United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright. (Received May i 5, 11.30 a.m.) LONDON, May 14. The tension in Europe was referred to by the Sunday newspapers. The News of the World warns Herr Hitler from playing with Are, and says that Germany is not only threatening to re-arm despite the Powers hut is understood to be actually making warlike preparations. If she persists In defying the League and flouting the Versailles Treaty July may witness the march of French troops to the Rhineland, threatening a European war. BERLIN, May 4. “ A foreign political ring resembling that of August, 1914, is built around us. It would be childish to close our eyes to the danger threatening our national life,” declared Herr Von Papen at a joint Stahlhelm and Nazi demonstration at Munster. “Wo who have freed ourselves from obsolete ideas are not understood by those Governments which are still waddling in the tracks of the French revolution, The world may be convinced when the Reichstag meets that a great people cannot long be robbed of their vital rights. DEADLOCK At GENEVA. COMPROMISE IMPOSSIBLE. ON EFFECTIVES ISSUE. (Official Wireless.) (Received May 15, 1-2.45 p.m.) RUGBY, May 14. The rupture of the disarmament negotiations at Geneva has been temporarily averted by the action of Mr A. Henderson in calling a meeting of the General Commission for a general discussion. The Times, in a leading article, examining the prospects of the discussion, says: ‘‘Whatever compromises may resolve' the difficulties on other points, the issue of effectives is capital.

“ There oan be no compromise In respect to the retention of a longservloe professional army by one State while others reduce their foroes to a status of a shortservloe oonsorlpt militia.

“ The key point of the draft convention —already accepted by all delegations in principle—is the placing of all European Continental armies on a basis of defensive militia. On that sole basis a table of relative strengths was drawn up, and It is quite impossible to suppose that one country, Germany, could be allowed to retain a home force of veteran soldiers constituting an instrument of potential aggression, while no such soldiers in other countries were to be allowed, except in colonial service, and on condition of being quartered oversea.” The Times emphasises that no mere chance procedure at Geneva can avail, unless there is a change of temper, oi which there is little sign in the controversial statement foreshadowing rearmament just issued by the German Foreign Minister. Recalling the concessions made In Sir John Simon’s official statement on German claim to equality last November, the paper saiys: ‘‘The trust and good-will which these concessions connoted have now been Swept away.

11 Since the advent of the Hitler regime, with Its elevation of might over right, and Its glorification of militarism, opinion In this country has hardened absolutely against any strengthening, even relatively, by the diminution of that of others, of the military power of Germany.”

The Manchester Guardian says Baron Von Neurath's article is a plain threat o fthe coming of rearmament implying' repudiation of the Treaty of Versailles, which last year’s recognition of equality of status on certain conditions does nothing to justify. The delay secured by Mr Henderson gives Germany another opportunity to thinli again.” The Morning Post says: “Until the disarmament clauses of the Treaty of Versailles have been abrogated by the consent of all the treaty partners, they remain absolutely binding. The machinery for achieving such consent was provided in the British draft disarmament convention which would have placed Germany on* the same footing In principle as every other country. Lord Hailsham was voicing the unanimous opinion of the British people when he declared that the rearmament of Germany would constitute a' breach of the Treaty of Versailles and would call into operation the sanctions which the Treaty provides.

“ If Herr Hitler sincerely wants peace and gives practical evidence of his Intention to maintain It as a settled policy, then he will not bo denied peace with honour.’’ GRAVITY OF POSITION. REALISED IN FRANCE. United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright (Received May 111, 1.45 p.m.) PARIS, May 12. France is aware of Ihe gravity of the position at Geneva. Lord Ilaiisham's and Lord Cecil’s speeches have made a deep impression, and led M. BoncoUr to inform the press that these speeches justified France's atlilude at Geneva. Britain has milled with France in saying that It will he owing lo Germany's obstinacy if Ihe conference fails to secure a general convention on armaments reduction. The Versailles Treaty will still be enforced if the conference dues faM