Evening star., 1935-03-18
View of Policy
on Security
Sought.
SIMON VISIT
in BALANCE
Regret Expressed
at Unilateral
Action.
By the Associated Press.

LONDON. March 18-Great Britain
called on Reichsfuehrer Hitler in a
note today to explain, authoritative
sources said, the meaning and extent
of Germany's conscription move and
to state the Reich's future policy to-
ward the proposed European security
system
Great Britain was understood to
have made it clear that the scheduled
visit of Sir John Simon, foreign secre-
tary, to Berlin depends on whether
Hitler wants to enter the system on
the full basis of the original proposals,
including mutual peace guarantees
and return to the League of Nations.
The note expressed Britain's regret
that Hitler saw fit to take the
unilateral action for which sregret
already had been expressed here I'M
officially through the press.
Minimized as Protest.
An official, asked if the note were
tantamount to protest said:
The protest angle necessarily is a
minor matter at this time. The pri-
mary matter is obtaining information
as to what Hitler is going to do re-
garding the proposed peace system
and whether Sir Johns trip can take
place as scheduled.
This important information is
necessary to govern our other sigma
tories future action in this situation.
Even as Europe speculated over the
contents of the note. not Immediately
divulged, a war Office official asked
the House of Commons to look after
the defense preparedness of England's
shores.
Sir John Simon, foreign minister
told the House of the British note and
said it would be presented to the
German government by Sir Eric
Phipps, British Ambassador.
Arms Debate Opened.
While the House seethed with in
terest in Reichsfuehrer Hitlers an
nouncement of mandatory military
service in Germany. Douglas Hacking,
financial secretary of the war Office,
opened the debate on increased esti-
mates for the British Army with the
statement:
In view of yesterdays news. We
are faced with at least one extra COM
mitment-the provision and organi-
zation of adequate coastal and anti
aircraft defenses for the home
country"
Sir John declined to reveal the con-
tents of the note until it is received
by the German foreign minister but
he promised that when Foreign Min
lister Won Neurath had read it its con-
tents would be published in London.
1t follows close on Reichsfuehrer Hit
ler's announcement of German con-
script army.
Italy and France Consulted.
He stated that the decision to send
the note was taken after consulta-
tions with Italy and France.
In reply to question by George
Lansbury. Labor Party leader, the
foreign secretary said the British gov
ernment was considering consulting
with the United States and sigma
tories of the Versailles treaty and
also considering asking the Assembly
of the League of Nations to deal with
the situation.
Sir John was preceded on the floor
by Capt Anthony Eden. lord privy
seal. who declared Great Britain had
not given France a promise to join
her in the proposed aviation defense
pact in the event the general Euro
pean peace scheme falls through.
Jolted by Hitler's announcement OF
a conscript German Army, the British
cabinet met earlier today and. when
the session ended at noon, it was
learned authoritatively that a formal
joint protest to Berlin by a group of
Versailles treaty signatories also was
being considered.
Protest Would Include Three.
The protest would include France.
Italy and Great Britain.
It was understood the cabinet was
hopeful of being able to avert a
drastic formal protest. hoping that in
quiries to Germany from the powers
separately for a statement of Ger
many's intentions would clarity the
atmosphere sufficiently to lead to
new basis for the discussion of a
European peace system.
Informal inquiries already are under
way through the diplomatic repre-
sentatives to Berlin, but so far, high
source stated, none of the countries
has received any indication of any
sort from Hitler himself
After the cabinet adjourned. Sir
John and Capt. Eden remained with
Prime Minister Ramsay Macdonald
and Stanley Baldwin. lord presidnet
of the council, to frame the govern
ment's statement to be made later IN
the House of Commons.
Official and unofficial British quar-
ters said that Germany's intention OF
having an army of 100000 soldiers
gave Germany superiority and not
equality in the actual European area.
Fortifying Now Expected.
In Paris, Brussels, Rome and Lon
don fear has been expressed that
having torn up the military clauses
of the Versailles treaty, der Reichs-
fuehrer now will boldly press on by
refortifying the Rhine frontier.
Even taking at face value Hitler's
repeated protestations that German
conscription is no wise belligerent,
that 1t is merely for the purpose of
retrieving German honor from the