The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1936-03-27

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.
The Franco-Russian treaty came up
in the French senate and was ratified
by a 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.
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 a 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 councils 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
it 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.
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 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 a
warning that Germany may repudiate
her foreign debts If she Is penalized
for the rearmament of the Rhineland.