The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1936-03-26

M r'aho'n economic and possibly
military, be imposed by the League
of Nations. Great Britain trying hard
TO keep the peace, reproving Germany,
supporting the French demands in
great measure, but urging that Hitler's
proposal of new non-aggresSion pacts
be given consideration. Reichsfuehrer
Hitler reviewing his forces in the re-
occupied territory and receiving the
loud plaudits of the inhabitants for re-
storing their military sovereignty.
That in a nutshell was the perilous
situation in Europe as the representa-
tives of the Locarno nations and the
council of the league assembled in
London to consider what to do next.
Foreign Minister Pierre-Etienne Elan
din of France was there with the full
support of Premier Sarraut for his de-
mands that immediate action be taken
to bring Hitler to time. He was rep
resented as almost convinced" that
preventive war" now would be prefer
able to carnage two years hence" and
in Paris it was disclosed that France
counted on having at her disposal,
from her own forces and those of Rus
STA, Poland and the little entente, a
potential army of about 100000 men.
1t was said 100000 could be modified
in 4S hours and 100000 were trained
reserves; and that 5000 airplanes and
a million tons of warships were ready.
The Franco-Russian treaty came up
in the French senate and was ratified
by huge majority. 1t is this pact
that Hitler gave as his excuse for re-
militarizing the Rhineland, asserting
that it was a violation of the LocarnO
treaty, being aimed at Germany. 1t
is the final link in the Iron ring"
around the reich which France has
been forging.
Great Britain, France, Belgium and
Italy, signers of the Locarno treaty,
agreed that Germany had violated that
pact and the Versailles treaty and re-
ferred the matter to the council of the
league. But Britain, still striving to
find the peaceful way out of the row,
was averse to the immediate imposi-
ton of sanctions, and naturally Italy,
herself suffering from that form of
punishment, felt the same way. For
eign Secretary Eden of England con-
tinued his efforts to persuade Hitler to
withdraw the troops from the Rhine
land pending discussions, and urged
upon Flandin the ACCESSIBILITY of con-
sidering the German chancellor's pro-
posals for 25-year peace pact.
Cooperating with the British for
peace, the league council invited Hit
Ter to send a representative to its
meeting. His reply was considered
unsatisfactory" by the British and
enraged the French. He said, in eff
feet, that he would send a represent
alive to the "9uncil's deliberations only
on condition that the other powers
meet it there on basis of full equal
ity and promptly consider new treaty
negotiations to replace the Locarno
pact
French Premier Sarraut and his
cabinet, according to officials in Paris,
at once instructed Flandin to fight to
tho bitter end for the punishment of
Germany, deciding that it would be
better to take such a stand, even If
1t wrecks the league" rather than
bargain away "the nations just right"
by accepting Hitler's proposals for a
new Locarno. Sarraut was reported
to be ready even to quit the league,
taking Frances allies with him. if the
council did not accede to his demands.
At first the British governments re-
spouse to Frances demands for full
support against Germany was ambigu-
Gus and not satisfactory to Sarraut and
Flandin. After conferences with Prime
Minister Baldwin and other ministers,
Capt. Anthony Eden, the young foreign
secretary, appeared before the house
of commons and declared any attack
on France or Belgium in violation of
the LOcarno pact would compel Britain
to go to their assistance. He added,
however, that there was no reason to
suppose 1.-The present German action
implies a threat of hOstilities." Then
he indicated Britain was willing to con-
slider Hitler's proposals for new peace
covenants.
Germany's army day" celebration
was much quieter in the Rhineland
than had been planned, owing to the
tense situation. Troops at Frankfort
were inspected by War Minister Werner
Won BlOmberg and there was a speech
by Hitler; but the military parades and
other features were Cancelled. Else
where in the reich the day was duly
observed. but the feeling of anxiety
was general and unconcealed.
The Frankfurter Zeitung, which like
all German newspapers is under close
government supervision, published
warning that Germany may repudiate
her foreign debts if she is penalized
for the rearmament of the Rhineland.