Evening star., 1936-04-02
PARIS TAKES STEP
. To NULL|FY HITLER
Powers Will Be Summoned
to Parley to Hear Plea
to Reject Proposals.

6AC n hGnoOND-
The long-dtDdited counter pro-
posdl OF Reichstuehrer Hitler to
the demand that German troops
Dtthdraip from the Rhinelund tods
deliuered yesterday in London.
Hitler suggested neutral zone
10 miles deep along both French
and Belgian frontiers. ,Oith each
nation agreeing not to increase
present military strength In zones.
To assure compliance, he sug-
gested q commission OF three, one
from Britain, one from Italy and
one from a non-LocGrro potDer to
act as observers.
Copyright, 1885, by the Associated 1ress)
PARIS. April French officials
said today that the French govern
ment probably will ask for a speedy
conference with Great Britain, Italy
and Belgium and will enter the con-
ference with the demand that Reichs-
fuehrer Hitler'S proposals be rejected.
They stated that France would IN
sist upon this rejection on the grounds
that Hitler was attempting to dc
tate to Europe in the same manner
that he employs in his own country"
The French cabinet will meet Mon
day. and it was stated that the call
for a Locarno signatories' conference
would probably follow Immediately.
Ambassadors Summoned.
France was massing her diplomatic
resources today for a counter-attack
against Germany's Locarno plan.
Foreign Minister Pierre-Etienne
Flandin summoned the French Am
bassadors in London, Berlin, Brus-
sells and Rome to come to Paris for
twofold campaign.
First, informed sources said, the
government resolved to presen a
strong attitude against Germany's
violation of the Locarno pact by re-
militarization Of the Rhineland until
after Frances parliamentary elec-
tions April 26 and May 3.
Second, these sources said. the gov
ernment would employ tactics of de-
lay while searching for peace plan
more favorable to France.
While waiting for the ambassadors
to arrive, Flandin and Premier Albert
Sarraut analyzed the German pro-
posals in preparation for a cabinet
meeting tomorrow.
Rightists Exert Pressure.
The stern opposition to Germanys
treaty breach came, informed sources
said, while RightiSt leaders were uti-
lizing the governments failure to
punish Germany as evidence that
Hitler had outmaneuvered France.
Under new peace plan, these
sources said, France would seek espe-
cially a method for limiting Ger
many's Notifications in the Rhine
land.
Such fortifications. if constructed
would make it difficult for France to
aid her allies comprising the ring OF
steel" around Germany.
French sources saw Hitlers pro-
posals for new peace system as a
cunning plan" to split the Locarno
powers and to make Der Feuhrer die
tator of Europe.
Sarraut and Fqandin, after spend
ing part of the night studying the
Hitler memorandum, met to decide
upon steps to frustrate the Reich
move by preserving a united front Of
the Locarno nations.
Seeks Assistance Pacts.
| The French government also was
expected to insist upon an exchange Of
mutual assistance agreements, pro-
vided in the original London plan Of
the four Locarno countries, on the
basis Of Hitler's rejection Of this pro.
gram in his counter proposals.
French officials and press alike
agreed that acceptance of Hitler's pro-
posals would mean an end to Frances
present role in Europe and doom hel
to rapid isolation.
Hitler's program, if carried out, un.
doubtedly would plunge Europe intt
blood and fire." the noted foreign
affairs expert Pertinax wrote in an in.
depreciation representative of the bulh
of informed French comment
At both Rome and Brussels today
1t was intimated that Hitler's pro.
poSaS were worth examination"