Evening star., 1936-12-26

cists would mean an economic victory
for Germany, q Spanish Fascist de-
feat might spell economic disaster in
the Reich.
It could not be learned If France
had made a definite offer for the pos
sible return to Germany Of the
Kameroons, Togoland or a portion
thereof.
But it was understood that France
| favored discussion of the former
German colonies, a general European
security pact and Spanish peace as
interrelated problems.
Thus colonial concessions to Ger
many, facilitating German cooper
alton with France and Great Britain
in the liquidation Of the Spanish con-
fiict, might ultimately lead to q re-
taxation Of the whole European
tension and become step toward the
restoration Of European security.
Odicial sources preserved strict
silence on whether Reichsfuehrer
Adolf Hitler is considering an offer
Of French concessions.
Difficulties Seen.
However, keen observers said the
conditions attached to any colonial
offer might be too stiff for Der
Fuehrer to accept.
They saw these further difficulties
in the path of concessions:
/. The African mandates under
which the colonies are held as League
of Nations mandates, and Germany
is not q member Of the League.
| 2. A proposed German deal with
Portugal for . portion Of Angola Is
said to involve German military sup
port of Portugal on the Iberian Pc
ninsula. particularly because Portugal
is anxious lest Soviet power become
established in Spain.
Acceptance of some other colonial
proposition probably would mean that
the Angola deal would have to be
dropped.
| In his mountain chateau near
Berchtesgaden. Hitler let drop no
hint of his decision in the request
from Gen. Francisco Franco. COM
mander of the Spanish Fascists, said
| to have been conveyed to Der Fuehrer
by Gen. wilhelm Faupel, new Nazi
| Charge d'Affaires in Fascist Spain.
| Informed sources had predicted
Hitler would call a conference Of his
chief political and military aides, but
there was no evidence they had been
summoned to his Bavarian villa.
The German people were almost
completely ignorant Of the grave stu
alton and the pressure brought to
bear upon their leader by France and
England to choose course the de-
mocracies hope will foster peace In
stead of one they fear may lead to
war.
A foreign Office spokesman said he
had no knowledge of any intention of
Hitler to call conference, either
during his vacation stay at Berchtes-
gaden or elsewhere.
Newspapers Comment.
There was no reference at all to
the international problem In Christ
mas day editions of German news
papers and only veiled references to-
day.
Hitler's own newspaper, the Vcel-
kischer Beobachter. commented cryp-
| tically about Franco-British excite
ment" and talk of "demarche on
Berlin" by those countries.
For the first time in q German
newspaper. the Beobachter published
q semi-oficial disclosure that nu-
merous German volunteers were in
the ranks of Frances troops, but it
deprecated their importance to Euro
pean diplomacy.
why all this excitement?" it asked.
so long as one only heard of Soviet
Russian and international bolshevist
volunteers swarming into Madrid the
situation seemed by no means menac-
ing to Western European peace"
Commenting that Great Britain
would not be expected to see a peace
peril because Of German volunteers
with the Spanish insurgents, the
Beobachter accused the Leftist- minded
French Popular Front. especially its
foreign office, of crying alarm"
Also by inference. the Frankfurter
Zeitung referred to the situation with
an assertion France threatened to bolt
Spanish neutrality unless given quick
and effective assurances Of other ma
tons non-intervention.
EUROPE WATCHES HITLER.
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