Help For Germany

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 21, 26 January 1937, Page 7

Help For Germany

In Return for Arms Convention

FRANCE MAKES BID FOR PEACE United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. LONDON, Jan. 24. An indirect offer of assistance for Germany in return for an Arms Convention was made by . the Premier (M. Blum) at a banquet presided over by M. Herriot and attended by 3000 supporters of the Popular Front. M. Blum said he did not wish to offend Germany by a blunt bargaining offer, but an inescapable connection existed between economic collaboration and the organisation of peace. Any general settlement depended essentially on was impossible to aid any Power if there was a fear that the help would be used to increase military forces. “But if Germany demonstrates a desire to collaborate, we are ready to work with her,’’ declared M. Blum. M. Blum asserted France’s opposition lo Herr Hitler’s method of bilatera' pacts with his neighbours, thereby isolating the other nations. He reiterated France’s loyalty to the League in order to settle European problems, including the Franco-German problem. This was possible if all the European nations acted in the equal good will, but, as Mr. Eden pointed out. it depended essentially on Germany.

GOOD SIGN FOR FUTURE

Received Monday, 7.50 p.m. LONDON, Jan. 24. The Daily Telegraph’s Berlin correspondent says the official news agency considers that M. Blum’s statements, although they contain nothing to hurt German feelings or doubt Hitler’s good intentions, ure unlikely to ensure successful negotiations. It was France’s friends and allies who had misused international collectivism and obtained rearmament loans. Germany cannot agree that bilateral agreements are unrealistic because agreements with Poland, Austria, Italy and the AngloGerman Naval Pact had eliminated many elements of danger. However, M. Blum’s readiness for conversations with Germany was a good sign for the future.