STRICT SAFEGUARDS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 7 December 1938, Page 7

STRICT SAFEGUARDS

GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER’S VISIT TO PARIS

NOT TO BE DRIVEN THROUGH STREETS.

DISCUSSION IN FRENCH PRESS.

Bv Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. LONDON, December 6.

Extraordinary police precautions arc being taken in Paris to ensure the safety of the German Foreign Minister, Herr von Ribbentrop, when he arrives at Paris today to sign the German agreement with France. The whole police force has been mobilised this morning and similar precautions will be taken tomorrow and on Thursday. The entire programme of the visit will be kept secret. Herr von Ribbentrop will not be driven through the streets of Paris on his arrival. He will arrive at the Gare du Nord at 9.45 a.m., and his coach will be shunted to the Invalides Station, which is next door to the Quai d’Orsay and the German Embassy. It is not expected that he will wear the Nazi uniform.

One hundred German refugees who are regarded as suspects will be kept under surveillance during the visit. Herr von Ribbentrop will have a large retinue.

The Berlin correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph” remarks on the inclusion of Dr Wiehl, head of the German Economics Department, as significant.

The French Press continues to give the coming of Herr Ribbentrop a mixed reception, conservatives’welcoming the gesture as possibly improving the atmosphere and the Left Press declaring that it is ill-timed, marking a loss of French prestige after the signing of the Munich agreement. The Paris correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph” says that the visit causes several embarrassing problems one of which concerns the Colonia] Minister, M. Mandel, and the Minister of Education, M. Zay, both of whom are of Jewish origin. Neither at present has been invited to the official lunch and dinner or to the German Embassy reception on December 7. Therefore, it will not be surprising- if other Ministers return their invitations from the German Ambassador.

“I COME FOR PEACE” RIBBENTROP WELCOMED IN PARIS. (Received This Day, 9.25 a.m.) PARIS, December 6. “I come for peace between France and Germany,” declared Herr Vor. Ribbentrop upon his arrival. He was greeted by the Foreign Minister, M Bonnet. Thousands of Mobile Guards placed a cordon round the station. He lunched with the Prime Minister, M. Daladier. The pact is to be signed a 3.30 p.m.

PACT SIGNED RENUNCIATION OF WAR. RECOGNITION OF EXISTING FRONTIERS. (Received This Day, 10.0 a.m.) PARIS, December 6. Herr von Ribbentrop and M. Bonnet signed the No-War Pact, which states that: —“The French and German Governments, convinced that friendly and good neighbourly relations are one of the most essential elements for the consolidation of good relations in Europe for the maintenance of peace, will do all in their power to safeguard such mutual relations. Both countries stale that there are no more questions of a territorial kind between the countries and they solemnly recognise the present French-German frontier. Both are resolved, without prejudice to their relations with third Powers, to remain in touch regarding all mutual problems and to negotiate if problems lead to international difficulties.” ,

Silent crowds lined the unbeflaggec streets through which Herr von Ribbentrop drove, heavily guarded.