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Anglo-German Relations.
The British reply to Herr Hitler's denunciation of the Anglo-
German Naval Treaties was recently handed to the German Government,
in the form of a long and important memorandum, by the British
Ambassador in Berlin. Apart from the technical aspects of the
matter immediately concerned, the memorandur: discussed the general
question of Anglo-German relations.
British readi-
The German charge of a British attempt at "encirclement" was
denied. There is in Great Britain no hostile intention towards
Germany. Such hositlity could only be aroused if Germany were to
attack another country, and British guarantees to other countries
would operate only in the event of such an attack.
ness to negotiate and to develop more friendly relations with
Germany cannot overlook certain significant facts. Germany has recently incorporated certain territories in the Reich by force or
by the threat of force, and this has undoubtedly resulted in a
great increase of anxiety in many quarters.
Provided that other countries' rights are respected, Great
Britain is quite ready to establish mutually respectful relations
and to trade with Germany. Indeed, a considerable supply of free
British exchange has been made available to Germany for the
acquisition of raw materials. Great Britain is also willing to
negotiate a new Naval Agreement, but before negotiating any such
agreement, the British Government would like to know how the German Government would propose to ensure that any alteration or denunciation of a future Agreement should carry the consent of
both parties.