ARMS LIMITATION

Wairarapa Times-Age, 14 October 1938, Page 7

ARMS LIMITATION

HINTS OF GERMAN DESIRE TO NEGOTIATE PERPLEXITY OVER BRITISH POLICY. REFERENCES TO THE MUNICH RESULTS. By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyrights LONDON, October 13. There are hints from Berlin that Germany would like to negotiate with Britain, France, and Italy for a limitation of armaments. Reuter’s Berlin correspondent reports that political circles are saying that they are awaiting a response from Britain and France to the suggestions of limitations made recently by Herr Hitler. This is puzzling London, as the only German reference recently to this subject was Herr Hitler's Sports Palace speech, in which he repeated a frequent reminder of his efforts toward limitation.

Meanwhile, Press comment in Berlin frowns on British rearmament. The “Frankfurter Zeitung,” as a typical example, says: “It is Britain's own affair if she considers that the international situation warrants rearmament, but it is another question if, the moment peace is signed in Europe, her policy of rearmament is intensified and takes on a feverish rhythm. France, also, is constructing a second and third Maginot Line.

“Such exaggerated efforts perplex Germany, because they are accompanied by agitation intended to undermine the peace labours of the Munich conference. “Mr Chamberlain’s work will lose value in our eyes if we are given the impression that it resulted from British weakness-. We cannot be indifferent to the British and French rearament wave.” ’ FEARS & SUSPICIONS UNEASINESS IN THE REICH. SECTIONS IN BRITAIN WAR PARTY. LONDON, October 13. ! The Berlin correspondent of “The Times” says that reports that Germany is awaiting replies from Britain and France to proposals for an armaments limitation agreement are unconfirmed. Well-informed circles do not Relieve that Germany has made any definite move and the situation appears to be that if there are to be armaments discussions, Germany expects Britain and France to take the initiative. Germany is at present more concerned with the course of British politics as these affect Anglo-German relations, and appears highly dissatisfied with what she sees, especially in the “stiffening of the British public opinion toward Germany,” because of the propaganda sections of the British Press which are connected with circles which Germany feels justified in describing as a “war party.” It is admitted that these circles must not be confused with the British Government, but their influence on British public opinion is considered so strong that Germany cannot ignore them. It is also asserted that anti-German feeling in Britain is being worked up by the circulation of false reports of German high-handedness at” the international commission dealing with Czechoslovakia. DUCE CHIMES IN SAYS BRITISH AND FRENCH • GROUPS DESIRE WAR. LONDON, October 13. The Rome correspondent of “The Times” states that Signor Mussolini yesterday associated himself with Hetr Hitler’s Saarbruecken speech in a statement made through the official "Informazione Diplomatica.” “The incontestable fact is,” says the statement, “that there exist in Britain and France strong groups desiring war, and openly regretting that the opportunity afforded by the Sudeten question, which they considered favourable, was not seized.” The statement added that those seeking a preventive war were now too late because against the Italo-German bloc of 120,000,000 men there was nothing to be done. This bloc commanded imposing geographical positions, strategicallly favourable by land, sea; and air, and the only thing to be done was to accept real peace on the Munich pattern. SUGGESTION REPUDIATED. LORD CRANBORNE’S POSITION. (Received This Day, 10 a.m.) LONDON. October 13. Lord Cranborne, who opposed the Government's policy in the recent House of Commons debate, has repudiated the suggestion that he would have preferred war to acceptance of the Munich terms, but he wondered if it would not have been better from the start not to have interfered or to have sent Viscount Runciman to Prague. As to the future, rearmament would have his fullest support.