Free Rhine Evacuation

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 516, 20 November 1928, Page 9

Free Rhine Evacuation

BARTERING RESISTED Arms and Reparations (United P.A.—By Telegraph Copyright) (Australian and N.Z. Press Association) (United Service) Received 10.6 a.m. BERLIN, Monday. SPEAKING in tlie Reichstag for the first time since his breakdown in health in June, Dr. Gustav Stresemann, German Foreign Minister, discussed the evacuation of the' Rhineland, disarmament and reparations.

He said not only the Germans, but also many foreign observers considered that the retention of foreign troops on the Rhineland was a contradiction of the recent trend of international affairs. All the foreign Governments concerned had now agreed to open negotiations concerning evacuation. Germany would unswervingly maintain that she was entitled to complete and immediate evacuation, also that evacuation must not depend on the solu-. tion of any other I problem. Germany’s rights were being

violated as long as her claim was not fulfilled. “We cannot assume a political burden the effect of which will continue beyond the term of pledged reparation. We will not enter any financial engagements as the price of military evacuation." Regarding disarmament, Germany’s Geneva policy must continue because it safeguarded Germany’s western frontier. It was the only possible policy. “In view' of Germany’s military helplessness, news of the AngloFrench compromise had caused anxiety, because it foreshadowed a possible new grouping of Powers to Germany’s detriment. “We shall stand by the policy laid down by Chancellor Mueller and Count Bernstorff at Geneva.”