Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-02-10
GERMAN FOREIGN
POLICY OUTLINED
CurtiuS Says Nation viii Pay
Under Young Plan as Long
as Possible.
By the Assoclated Press.

By the Associated Press.
BERLIN. February 1o.--Reminding
the world that Germany never Ruaran-
teed her ability to fulfill the Young
plan, Julius Curtius, the foreign minis
ter. today told the Reichstag that the
nation Is determined, nevertheless, to
live up TO It's provisions as long as pos
sible and to try to change it only by
legal means.
In his first appearance before. the
Parliament since he returned from the
League of Nations discussions at Geneva
he outlined in detail the German for
eign policy and described the world dis
armament conference called for next
February as the "touchstone Of the
efficacy Of the League of Nations"
Opposes League Withdrawal.
He dwelt upon Improvement In
Franco-German relations as a pivotal
problem of European statecraft. at the
same time emphasizing that Germany
Will not be showed to one side. Herr
Curtius expressed satisfaction that Tur-
key and Russia had been invited to
participate in the pan-European eco
nomlc conference, and vigorously op-
posed suggestion that Germany with
draw from the League of Nations.
An unbiased panel Of judges and his
torianS, he told the Reichstag, would
have no difficulty in disproving the
thesis that Germany alone bears the
guilt Of the World War.
The reparationS question" he said,
forces itself as an unbidden guest into
all International gatherings. This spec
ter Will not be laid and world economy
viii not be free until economic common
sense and Justice finally have their way.
This question Is the greatest factor in
disturbing the peace Of the world, and
It Is paramount problem Of Germany's
foreign policy"
Hits Lack Of Cooperation.
The economic position of the whole
world has shifted since the Young
plan was adopted, he said, and the
nations are more inclined now to apply
common sense to the reparations prob
lem
But little has been shown of the
spirit OF international cooperation
which would make the fulfllment of
our obligations easier" he declared.
This, coupled with our financial needs
this issue into the foreground of our
foreign policy. Our opponents know we
VIII not renounce the Young plan ana
our creditors know we never viii give a
filled"
AS Tor disarmament, he said. the
natlonS VIII have to show their hands
at the conference next February.
AT That time the case for which
We nave been pleading for years before
tne par OF public opinion will be
PIC Drougnt TO a definite issue. We shall
see tnen Wether there will be dis
armament or not. As for me. viii
not make any prophecies.
Our viewpoint is simply that wa
nave q clear legal title to demand zen
eral disarmament and that we can no
longer stand for delay in its achieve
ment."
Socialists Leave Chamber.
Before Curtius began speaking most
OF the National Socialists and Nation.
allstS marched out Of the chamber with
declaration that they would not re-
turn until some important vote de-
manoed their presence. But rrolln of
them came back shortly after the
speech began es -
Germany has reached the point where
she demands deeds to supplement the
words OF disarmament discussions, Cur
We demand the same degree Of Sc
curly Wnlch other nations demand.
The League of Nations Is facing the
gravest problem in its history. Its yery
existence would be endangered If it
should prove unable to solve this prob
lem: Not only for us but for the whole
Worlo disarmament Is the touchstone
Tor the League of Nations"
He referred to economic and political
relations with France as a pivotal issue
In the structure of Europe, asserting
that although during the last months
OF last year We suffered some setbacks
In the development of those relations.
we hope they soon viii be overcome
On the other hand, he went on.
never can q country IN position like
ours hope to reach its goal through
any one-Sided policy. We must ALWAYS
and everywhere operate for our own ad-
vantage when our aims and interests
run parallel with those of another
country"
Tribunal to Judge War Guilt.
He recalled statements by President
Won Hindenburg and other German
statesmen denying the thesis Of Ger
many's responsibility for the war and
predicted that "the day is not far dis
tant when a tribunal of judges and
historians will come together to pro-
nounce a final verdict based on truth
and Justice" Meanwhile, he said, the
German government will continue its
efforts for removal of the stigma Of
war guilt from the German people.
Curtius expressed satisfaction with
the settlement of the Polish differences
which came out of the League Council
and repudiated radical demands for
withdrawal from the League of Ma
tons.
'AS Hans Luther said when we en-
tered in 1926, Better inside than out
side" he declared, that's what say.
Criticism Of and disappointment with
the League was not necessarily euuivs-
lent to q necessity for giving up our
membership and our fight"