GERMANY'S ACTION

Hokitika Guardian, 16 October 1933, Page 5

GERMANY'S ACTION

WORLD CRISIS

WITHOUT EQUAL SINCE 1914

(United Press Association—By Electric

Telegraph—Copyright)

(Received this day at 10.30 a.m.)

LONDON, Oct. 15.

The world to-day is face to (face with a crisis perhaps unequalled since 1014. Without a word of warning or the slightest preliminary hint in the whole press of Europe, Germany dramat’caily withdrew from the Disarmament Conference and from the League of Nations Itself. The German Government has- dissolved the Reichstag and ordered a now election, while Chancellor Hitler has launched statement after statement throughout the day, railing against the Powers of [Europe, and demanding the right to equal armaments. All that appeared •lacking was a formal declaration of war.

The news at first stunned all the nat'on. Then for a time, it roused the fiery passions. Nazi brass bands inarched to the Enter den Linden escorting crowds cheering the decisions.

j Evening papers in Vienna and Paris indulged in a war scare, until later in the day, calmer counsels prevailed. League headquarters at Geneva were shaken to their foundations. Mr Ramsay MacDonald received the news at Chequers. It is not clear whether Chancellor Hitler, knew the contents of Sir John Simon’s speech before r :t was actually delivered, but it is certain that events could hardly have moved faster. It is difficult to believe that the German plans were not- already cut and dried, waiting only such confirmation of the Power’s attitude, as the speech could afford. No decision bv a Great Power has caused such a sensation since the war years.

The British Unted Press Berlin correspondent says: “As Sir John Simon spoke at Geneva, so the German Cabinet sat around the table and read yt-he details Feeling slowly mounted, and suddenly the decision was taken to cut adrift from the League of Nations.

GERMANY AND THE LEAGUE

ELECTIONS IN NOVEMBER

(Received this day at 10.30 a.m.) LONDON, October 15

Twenty -minutes’ radio silence followed Hitler's broadcast. It wfU be bjoticed that the elections are fixed for the day after the armistice air liivevsarv.

Lord Inskip, in a speech at Rowland iOiigtle, said the League would survive. Germany’s departure ns it did von Papetus, but no doubt it would be. weaker. The League would never survive the departure of Britain.

Mr Gilbert Murray emphasised that Germany cannot leave the League for ■two years. She can only give notice of withdrawal. Meanwhile, much may happen if Germany does not gain her freedom, as it is inconceivable that the League will allow her to re-arm and centime leadline her voutli that war is their natural aim and .ambition. Tt- is believed in some quarter’s that 'the general commission of the (Disarmament Conference on Monday will continue its work to draw up .a resolution or convention on the lines of Si 1 ’ John Simon’s speech, which +l ’ will ■adopt without Germany’s vote, one way Op the other. Alternatively, a convention o r a solution may be presented to- Germany for acquiescence. If she rejects, and remains in isolation, the powers will then stand move fir ml v than ever by the Treaty of Versailles. Others -believe the conference will adjourn indefinitely, leaving the problem of disarmament to be dealt with through diplomatic channels.

"GERMANY VERSUS TILE WORLD

LONDON, October 15

Mr Henderson called a meeting of the British, French, American and Italian delegates on Sunday to examine the position. Mr •MacDonald is returning to London to confer with hig colleagues. Similar ccjaferences of, Ministers in Pit&is and other capitals are being held.

Mr Henderson’s reply to' Berlin will be brief, and will possibly merely acknowledge the receipt of the to’ew Il’ich he will submit to the bureau.

'l’he -‘Sundae Times” in an editorial

civs; "Go-rmany’.s self isolation and the colossal .blunder of her decision i s a defiance of the world nml a blow at v,onsiructive effort everywhere. "Germany versus the world.” is ,how the ‘‘Observer’’ describes-the situation, which i s causing alarm and 'aster isum cut worldwide, notably in Italy where the officj.Vs are bewildered.