ANXIETY NOW AT BERLIN

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 331, 12 January 1937, Page 5

ANXIETY NOW AT BERLIN

FRANCO-BRITISH ACTION GERMANY UNEASY Alertness Of France And Britain May Not Be Bluff. Press 'Association—Copyright. London, January 11. Alarm at Paris and London over the Moroccan situation has caused surprise and anxiety at Berlin, says the correspondent of The Times. Official quarters are uncomfortable at the impression created by the news that M. Vienot, French Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs, held a General Staff conference, especially as it was soon after the visit of Mr. A. Duff-Cooper, British Secretary for War, to Paris, to which political reasons are attributed. Mr. R. A. Edens’ interview with M. Charles Corbin, French Ambassador at London, is also regarded with nervousness, which has been increased by the French naval precautions. “This Franco-British alertness shakes the opinion that France would not openly intervene in developments arising through the Spanish war or, if it did, would not he supported by Britain,” the correspondent adds. “The first reaction seems to have been a combination of uneasiness, anger and determination to pursue the Spanish policy unswervingly in face of what may be only bluff, with the conviction that any chance of agreement on the basis of the ItaloGerman replies regarding volunteers is doomed to failure. “Meanwhile, in addition to denials, a counter-campaign has developed, alleging that France, using Abdel Krim, has planned a coup to prevent Spanish Morocco remaining in General Franco’s hands, thus depriving him of success in Spain.”