MUCH SPECULATION

Wairarapa Times-Age, 26 April 1939, Page 5

MUCH SPECULATION

OVER BRITISH AMBASSADOR’S RETURN TO BERLIN Desire for Peace and Opposition to Policy of Force GERMAN OFFICIALS SAID TO BE PUZZLED By Telegraph —Press Association— Copyright. - LONDON, April 25. Much speculation has been caused by the unexpected return to Berlin of the British Ambassador io CTeimany, bn Nevile Henderson. One report says it is understood that Sir Nevile has been instructed to see the highest Nazi leaders, including Hen Hitlei, to emphasise, first, that Britain wants peace and is willing to see changes in the European map made by peaceful negotiation. Secondly, it is stated, Sir Nevile will inform the German Government'that Britain, will not participate in any plan to “encircle” Germany, and, thirdly, that she is prepared to fight by every means in her power and to go to any lengths, including conscription, if other nations insist on a policy of. force. The diplomatic correspondent of “The Times” says that Whitehall is chary about revealing- the instructions given to Sir Nevile but it seems clear that they were given as a result 1 of the Government’s wish that the German leaders should know how closely it associates itself with President Roosevelt’s eleventh-hour warning, also how determined Britain is to resist further aggression and to undertake all the necessary measures for defence.

THEORIES IN BERLIN. The Berlin correspondent of “The Times” says that Sir Nevile’s return has caused surprise in official circles there, which are obviously puzzled. Among the theories suggested is that it is in connection with the impending establishment of conscription in Britain. There is good reason, however, to believe that this is not absolutely correct. Another suggestion is that the Ambassador has been sent to anticipate a demand from Herr Hitler that the democracies shall prove that questions such as colonies, Danzig, and the Polish Corridor can be settled by negotiation instead of force. The newspapers regard Sir Nevile’s return as a sign that Britain is returning to reason. In the meantime, the formation of a German-Italian-Yugosiavian-Hungarian bloc is regarded in Berlin as being a good counter to British diplomatic efforts, and the Reich is concentrating on this.

Sir Nevile Henderson will listen to Herr Hitler’s speech in reply to President Roosevelt’s appeal in the Reichstag on Friday, and will immediately report to Whitehall.

MORE REPLIES TO GERMANY. ■Further replies have been received in Berlin from the smaller nations mentioned in President Roosevelt’s appeal to the German Government’s questions as to whether they feared aggression.

Reuter learns that Rumania replied that it was difficult to answer whether she feels threatened as she had no common boundary with the Reich. She expresses the opinion that the answer would best be supplied by Germany herself, but that Rumania does regard the general situation in Europe with apprehension.

Norway and Denmark replied that they did not consider themselves threatened. The Norwegian reply added: “Norway, of course, knows that, in the case of a general war, the country would be in danger.”

Greece, Yugoslavia, and Bulgaria replied that they did not feel themselves menaced.

Egypt is believed to have replied that, while deeply interested in safeguarding her independence and integrity, she would naturally welcome a non-aggression undertaking.