The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1936-03-20

'%uo" ringing speech In
the hastily summoned reichstag, elo-
quently defending his action.
At the same time Hitler was sending
into the formerly demilitarized strip
along the Rhine some 25,000 troops of
all arms. This he declared was a
symbolic" army, and in his public ut
terances he asserted that Germany was
not thus making warlike move and
did not desire war, but was determined
to defend herself. He upheld his uni
lateral abrogation of the Locarno
treaty on the ground that France had
already violated it by making a mutual
assistance agreement with Russia,
which pact Is pending in the French
senate. To show his desire for peace,
he offered a plan which includes: A
demiltarized strip of German, French
and Belgian land; a 25-year non-aggres-
sion treaty among Germany, France
and Belgium, with Great Britain and
Italy as guarantors inclusion of the
Netherlands in the system of pacts;
and air pact with the western powers;
a non-aggression pact with Germany's
eastern neighbors, including Lithuania;
and return of Germany to the League
of Nations after her equality is estab-
lished and her sovereignty restored.
Reaction in the capitals of Europe
was quick and in some cases almost
violent. Premier Albert Sarraut of
France appealed to the League of Ma
lions, asking that sanctions against
Germany be applied. He also called
a meeting of the signatories to the
Locarno pact. In radio address he
warned Hitler that France would not
stand for his action, and asserted that
the reichsfuehrer's new plan was not
at all acceptable Meanwhile there was
intense military activity along the
eastern frontier, and within few
hours the Maginot line, that wonder
full system of border Notifications built
since the World war, was completely
manned.
Italy's position in this squabble was
interesting. Called on by France to
support the protest against Germany,
Mussolini took full advantage of the
situation to get all he could for his
own cause. He promised to stand by
France and uphold the Locarno pact
If the league would slacken the sane
lions that were imposed on Italy as
a result of her Ethiopian adventure.
Poland gave assurance that she would
carry out faithfully her obligations I'M
der the Franco-Polish accord; and the
nations of the little entente not only
promised support but warned France
that if she did not bring Germany to
time they might be forced to abandon
their alliance with France.
Now it devolved on Great Britain,
real arbiter of peace or war, to define
her stand, for France demanded full
support in return for the assurances
she had given when trouble impended
in the Mediterranean. The British
statesmen refused to get excited over
the affair and it was left to Capt. An
thony Eden, youthful foreign secre-
tary, to set forth his governments po-
sition. After consultation with Prime
Minister Baldwin and others of the
cabinet, Eden appeared before the
house Of commons and declared that
any attack on France or Belgium in
violation of the Locarno treaty would
force Great Britain to go to their as
sistance. He added, however, that he
was thankful to say there was no rea-
son to suppose 1.-The present German
action implies a threat of hostilities."
Eden said he had already protested
to Ambassador Won Hoesch against the
military re-occupation of the Rhine
land, telling him the effect on Brit
ish public opinion would be deplorable.
"The abrogatien of, the Locarno pact
and the occupation of the demilitarized
zone" declared Eden, "haye profoundly
shaken confidence in any engagement
in which Germany may in the future
enter. 1t strikes a severe blow at the
principle of the sanctity of treaties
which underlies the whole structure of
International relations"
Eden indicated Great Britain was
willing to consider Reichsfuehrer Hit
ler's proposals for new peace cove
nants.
Belgium Joined France in the appeal
to the League of Nations, and ses-
sion of the league council was called
for March 10. ASA.
Senators in Washington who ex-
pressed any opinion were unanimous in
saying that the United States must be
kept out of any European war, regard
less Of developments.