Evening star., 1935-03-20
Allies Discuss
Reich Arms
Saturday.
SIMON MAKES
TRIP SUNDAY
Flandin Calls for
"Vigilance'' by
French.
tcopyright. 1885. D, ;he Associated Presso

-ASSSNAS'N~N'
PARIS, March 20.-France today
sent note of protest to Berlin against
Germany's rearmament, decided to ask
the League of Nations to take action.
and was warned by Premier Pierre
Etienne Flandin that she must be
"vigilant" in the face of a rearmed
Germany.
The French government succeeded
in arranging tripartite conference
Saturday in Paris between representa-
tives of France and of Great Britain
and Italy and it was learned au-
thoritatively that a similar conference
has been arranged for an unspecifled
place in Northern Italy after Sir John
Simon. the British foreign secretary,
has had chance to talk to
Reichsfuehrer Hitler in Berlin next
week.
French authorities said they be-
lieved that Sir John. while in Ber-
lin, would learn exactly what Hitler
intends to do about peace pacts and
the League of Nations and likewise
would be able to estimate whether
Germany's military preparations were
dangerous.
Flandin Before Senate.
Premier Flandin went before the
French Senate. gave it description
of Frances military power. and said
he had complete confidence In the
country's fighting strength"
Our soldiers" he declared. would
be filled with the same spirit Of sacrl-
Ea1 in nf they
were in 1914"
Replying to friendly Interpolation
designed to give vote OF commence,
the premier said that German rearma-
nent imposes upon us the duty to be
vigilant as was stated in the British
white book"
Flandin defended the lengthening
of French military service by decree
as a quicker method avoiding long
debate" He justified keeping the army
at its old strength because OF unset
tied conditions, and declared ''if our
concern was legitimate March Is how
much more so it ought to be since the
proclamation of obligatory service in
Germany"
The premier rejected the idea that
Reichsfuehrer Hitler was spurred to
action by the British White Book. say
ing "Germany's u army corps and 36
divisions already existed. Moreover,
eight days earlier the official decision
to create military aviation was made
public"
The conference, advocated by the
French since Monday when Great
Britain delivered what the French
regard as its mild" note to Berlin.
was finally arranged shortly: before
noon today
Eden, British lord privy seal, prob
ably will represent the London gov
ernment in the belief that it might
be undignified for Sir John Simon
to appear to be taking orders from
other powers before going to Berlin.
Suvich Represents Italy.
F'uloio Suvich, Italian undersecre- !
tary for foreign affairs, will represent
Italy, and Pierre Laval, French for
eign minister. will represent France.
The French note of protest, which |
will be delivered in Berlin late this |
afternoon through the French en-
bassy. specifically mentions the return |
of CONSUMPTION in Germany, Ger |
manys resumption of freedom of ac- |
ton in armaments'' and Germany'S I!
new air force.
The government was understood to !,
expect nothing satisfactory from Sir
Johns visit to Berlin, but the three
power meeting was planned in the |
hope that the British attitude can be |
stiffened before he goes there.
Soviet RuSsia'S friendship, which |
becomes all the more attractive in the !
face of Reichsfuehrer Hitler's attitude, !
is to be cultivated by visit of Pierre |
Laval, French foreign minister, to
Moscow. !
The cabinet formally approved this /
visit today and decided that he should |
go as soon as possible
The note was telephoned to Ambas-
sador FranCoiS-Poncet in Berlin early |
this afternoon for delivery in the Will |
helmStrasSe later, but its publication,
it was said, might be postponed until !
tomorrow morning
While officials guarded the COM
munication's contents closely, 1t is
known to be a firm proteStation,
calling Germany's attention sharply
to the clauses of the Versailles treaty
which have been violated.
Holds Reich Still in League.
France is taking the position that
Germany still is technically a men,
Der of the League of Nations, since its
resignation. made less than two years
ago. still is not effective, and that
therefore Germany remains under the
jurisdiction of the League. Germany
left the League October IA, 1888, but
under the Leagues regulations the
necessary two-yearS' notice has not
yet expired.
While the cabinet still was in ses-
sion on the subject of the note, the
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