BRITISH GOVERNMENT PERTURBED

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 135, 24 June 1937, Page 5

BRITISH GOVERNMENT PERTURBED

-. (Seceived 21, 8.45 Eum.) LONDON, June 23. The first misgivings of Germany 's ttiiplomatic offensive are regarded with * .the grayest misgiying in Londou, especially as it was coupled with such an abrupt snub as the cancellation of the proposed visit to London of the German Foreign Minister, Baron von Neurath, who was required in Berlin because of compkeations in the Spanish eivil war situation; Germany can hardly expect the invitation to be renewed. It is pointed out that Germany 's attitude contrasts with that of Britain and Franee which made similar inciflents such as the mining of H.M.S. Hunter on liay 14, and the machiuegunning of a -French passenger plane on May 2 ti the subject of peaeeful repreeentations. Moreover, as the Times points out, a ehadow of doubt hangs on the alleged attack on the German cruiser by a eubmarine of Spanish origin. The Times emphasises that Germany herself condemned on June 15 the rumours that the Leipzig had been attacked as "un■crupulous inventions." The Times adds that when discussions between Britain and Germany held the prospect of deeper etability for Europe, germany had chosen a curious moment to magnify the Spanish incidents. It will be small wonden if some suspect does not seek to take advantage of the French political confusion. The Times wonders if Germany, repeating her past errors, is succumbing to the temptations of uncovenanted opportuniam for making hostility to other nations the price of German friendshdp.