VISIT TO BERLIN POSTPONED

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21416, 7 March 1935, Page 13

VISIT TO BERLIN POSTPONED

❖ SIR JOHN SIMON'S MISSION , HERR HITLER SUFFERING! FROM A COLD CONVERSATIONS DELAYED INDEFINITELY (UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION I>Y ELECTRIC I'LLB'iHAl'il—fOi'VillGllTJ (Received March C, 5.5 p.m.) BERLIN, March 5. The visit of Sir John Simon (Foreign Minister) to Berlin has been postponed at the request of Herr Hitler, who is suffering from a cold. The length of the postponement of the conversations is not indicated. The evening papers publish a photograph of Herr Hitler, hatless and wearing a light overcoat, cheerfully chatting with an official at the motor show yesterday. "Nacht Ausgabe." with unconscious irony, prints the picture next to a laconic announcement of Herr Hitler s indisposition. A London message states that because of the indisposition of Herr Hitler the visit to Berlin of Sir John Sinxin and Mr R. A. Eden (Lord Privy Seal), fixed tor Thursday, has had to be postponed. A communique issued at Berlin says: "On the occasion of his visit to Saarbrucken the leader contracted a slight cold, together with great hoarseness. On his doctor s orders the conversations arranged for the immediate future haw been cancelled in order to spare his voice. "In these circumstances the German Government conveyed to the British Ambassador (Sir Eric Phipps), through its Minister fur Foreign Affairs (Baron von Neurath). a request that the visit arranged for the British Ministers may be postponed." A message has been conveyed to the German Foreign Minister from the British Government through Sir Eric Phipps expressing the regret with which the British Government has learnt of the Chancellor's indisposition and its hope for a speedy recovery. CONTENTS OF WHITE PAPER HITLER'S DECISION AFTER PERUSAL (Received March G, 8.50 p.m.) LONDON, March C. The newspapers almost unanimously deduce Ilerr Hitler's postponement of the conversations with Sir John Simon as due to the contents of the White Paper rather than to his indisposition, though the possibility that the latter has developed is recognised in view of the leader's exposure during his visit to Saarbrucken, when he stood for hours without an overcoat in the rain. It is learned definitely that Herr Hitler's decision followed, and did not precede a perusal of the White Paper. Nevertheless, it is believed that there is considerable disappointment in certain official circles in Berlin, in which the opinion is expressed that the leader had everything to gain and nothing to lose by seeing Sir John Simon. It is believed here that the interview will take place in due course, but the diplomatic ground will require to be prepared anew. TREMENDOUS ISSUES INVOLVED CONFIDENCE AND PEACE IN EUROPE MIITISn OFFICIAL WIRELESS.) RUGBY, March 5. Speaking at Bristol last night, Sir John Simon said that after a long period of delay and disappointment there was new hope for improving the conditions on which the prospects of peace must rest. The action of the British Government in showing itself willing to provide troops for maintaining order in the Saar made a profound impression on Europe, and had undoubtedly contributed to the peaceful conclusion. The recent meeting between the French and British Ministers in London had established a complete agreement between the two Governments, and the proposal for an air convention was welcomed by Germany. Next Thursday he was going with Mr Eden to Germany, and it was right and natural that after the meetings in Rome, Paris, and London a similar meeting should take place in Berlin. He was undertaking the journey fully conscious of the tremendous issues which depended on the conversations now about to begin, and the one wish of them all was that these should prove a contribution to the restoration of European confidence and the peace of he world. [Sir John Simon obviously made his speech before he was aware of Herr Hitler's indisposition.] GERMAN LEADER'S HEALTH CAUSES OF POSTPONEMENT DISCUSSED LONDON, March 5. The "Sun-Herald" News Service says: "While cynics declare that 'Hitler has caught a cold between

the sheets of the White Paper, British official comment is limited to Sir Eric Phipps' telegram which states that possibly Herr Hitler's indisposition is more serious than is generally believed. "It is known that he has been in ill-health for the last year, but he has withheld knowledge of this from the German people. His visit to Saarbrucken at the week-end, where he stood without an overcoat in drenching rain ; may have aggravated the trouble. "On the contrary, if the White Paper is responsible for the postponement of Sir John Simon s visit, the British Government will take a most disquieting view, realising that nothing is likely to emergf from consultations because they might constitute a further German attempt to create a cleavage between France and Great Britain." KNIVES, FORKS, AND SPOONS. Don't spoil your table with shabby cutlery. Minsons sp icialise in these goods and can save you money. Reliable Sheffield makes <t keenest prices. Get their quote and be your own judge. —6