HITLER READY to Join World Conference

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 80, 21 April 1937, Page 5

HITLER READY to Join World Conference

Telegraph— Press Assn.-

. - jm in • * economic matters Result of Mr. G. Lansbury*! Negotiations REACTIONS AWAITED

(By

-Copyright.)

BERLIN, April 19. Herr Hitler had two hours* secret conversation with Mr George Lansbury, the British Labour M.P., after which Mr. Lansbury stated that Herr Hitler said Germany was willing to participate in a conference on economic cooperation and mutual understanding if President Roosevelt or the head of another great country would take the initiatire. This statement was agreed 'to between Herr Hitler and Mr. Lansbury after discussion of the entire international situation. Mr. Lansbury submitted to Herr Hitler a memerandum proposing a new world conference, and told him th© purport of talks he had with President Roosevelt, M. Leon Blum, the Freneh Frime Minister, M. Paul Van Zeeland, Prime Minister of Belgium, and the Scandinavian Prime Minister, non© of whom had rejeeted the proposition. "I got what I wanted from Herr Hitler, namely, that Germany is willing to go into such a conference with a good heart," said Mr. -Lansbury. "I

was impressed by the fact that Herr Hitler knows what he Is talking about, The question of Russian participation was not Taised." The keenest interest has been created throughout Europe by Mr. Lansbury Js discussion with Herr Hitler. Althougk the story has been published elsewhere, no statement has yet appeared in the German Press, and apparently the w* aetion of foreign nations is, being awaited. Broadcasting fiom Berlin to Britain to-night, Mr. Lansbury said: "President Roosevelt 's name was specifically mentioned becanse he was the first head of a Government with whom I dis« eussed the holding of a conference. Th© United States is logicallv the nation which should take the lead, as she is 'above this battle.' I would like Mr. Roosevelt to call a conference, bnt I ax» not sure that he will." Mr. Lansbury afdded that the more he • saw and heard of people in other landa the more convinced he was that they all longed for peaee. ''Now we must redouble our efforts throughout the world to ensure a conference as soon as possible," he said. ;