GERMAN STATESMEN

Otago Witness, Issue 4031, 16 June 1931, Page 23

GERMAN STATESMEN

THE VISIT TO ENGLAND AUDIENCE BY THE KING. RUGBY, June 8. The German statesmen, Dr Bruening (Chancellor) and Dr Curtius (Foreign Alinister) this morning received an audience by the King. It is the first time since before the war that a member of a German Cabinet has been received at Buckingham Palace. Later they were the guests at a luncheon of the AngloGerman Society, and afterwards attended a reception in their honour at the Royal Institute of International Affairs. In welcoming them, Sir Neill Alalcolin said he accepted their presence as an indication of approval of the work of the institute in stimulating the scientific study of international affairs in the hope that it might contribute towards the removal of international misunderstanding and promote the welfare of the world. Dr Bruening, replying, expressed warm appreciation of the work of the institute. Referring to the friendly talks at Chequers, he said that mutual co-operation between all the countries concerned to try to improve the existing economic situation was agreed upon. He was sure that the spirit of understanding would find an echo in the public opinion of the world.

REVIEW OF REPARATIONS. LONDON, June 8. The IJaily Telegraph’s diplomatic editor, in outlining the conclusion of the Chequers conversations, says: “ Those who took part in the conversations came to the conclusion that the time was not ripe for calling a fresh international conference to examine anew reparations, still less war debts. The key to the whole situation is whether America would agree to a suspension of the Allied debts during the next few years. It is realised, both in London and Berlin, that it would be an invidious and inopportune step to make a formal request for America’s assent, especially in view of the prevailing economic crisis in the United States.” AMERICA’S ATTITUDE. WASHINGTON, June 8. The official attitude of the United States towards the new German reparations development is that primarily it is a European problem. Washington is prepared to wait and see. It does not much care what the other Allied nations do about reparations, but the United States is concerned with the payment of war debts.

A semi-official statement comes from Senator Borah (chairman of the Senate’s Foreign Relations Committee), who flatly favours revision of the German reparations agreement. When asked whether the United States should share in the good work by making it easier for the Allied nations to forgo their reparations by cancelling the war debts, he replied in the affirmative, but with the reservation that Europe should reduce its armaments in a large way.

SATISFACTION IN BERLIN. LONDON, June 8. Interest in Berlin centres on the question whether the emergency decree will operate as it stands or come before an early meeting of the Reichstag. It is the opponents of democracy who are demanding the latter course, hoping that the decree may somehow be vetoed and the Government overthrown. Well-informed people agree that this would lead to a most serious situation, possibly entailing financial chaos. DEPARTURE FROAI ENGLAND. RUGBY, June 9. Before the visiting German Alinisters embarked at Southampton on their return to Germany Dr Bruening telegraphed co Air AlacDonald thanking him for “ the most charming hospitality extended to Dr Curtius and myself,” and expressing gratitude for the warm reception accorded by the British Government and people. Dr Curtius sent a similar message to Air Henderson. Appropriate replies were sent by Air AlacDonald and Air Henderson.

INVITED TO BERLIN. LONDON, June 9. It is officially announced that the Prime Alinister (Mr Ramsay AlacDonald) and the Foreign Secretary (Mr Arthur Henderson) have accepted Dr Bruening’s invitation to visit Berlin. The date has not been fixed. AIR MACDONALD QUESTIONED. RUGBY, June 10. Answering a question in the House of Commons regarding the Chequers discussions with the German Alinisters the Prime Alinister (Air Ramsay AlacDonald) said that as regards the scope of the discussions he could not add anything to the communique. He added that the German Chancellor had invited him and the Foreign Secretary to pay a return visit to Berlin, and the Government had great pleasure in accepting the invitation, but no date had yet been fixed. In reply to a supplementary question Air AlacDonald said he did not think that a debate on the present position in relation to reparations and interAllied debts would be helpful.