COLONIAL CLAIMS

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 446, 31 May 1937, Page 5

COLONIAL CLAIMS

GERMANY AND PEACE ADMISSION OF BLACKMAIL Frenchmen Astounded By Dr. Schacht’s Statement Press Association —Coo/rlgnt(Recelved ID 5 a.m.) Paris, May 30. Dr. H. G. H. Schacht, German Minister of Economics, speaking to the Franco-German Society to-day, said l : “The newspapers criticise Germany because she always aaks and never offers. I agree that the poor can do little more (than ask, but Germany does offer a firm guarantee to European peace in return for a reformed League. “She is also prepared to discuss armaments.,” he continued. “Germany is accused of blackmail by making an offer conditional on colonial outlets. I plead guilty. It Is blackmail, but peace -must be strengthened even It blackmail is used.” French personalities present were astounded to hear blackmail, probably used for the first time in history, thus proclaimed as an instrument of international goodwill, but consider Germany is not as interested in colonies as Dr. Schacht's speech Suggests. On the contrary, Germany is inclined to drop ithe subject to conciliate England, though for internal purposes the subject of colonies will still be raised in orations. A tangible result of Dr. Schacht’s visit has been the arrangement of a Hratfco.German trade agreement