The Charg' d'Affaires in France to the Foreign Ministry - About the attitude of France to the Rhineland.
Source: Documents on German Foreign Policy , vol. V, p.320. Telegram No. 173 of March 26
PARIS, March 27, 1936 - [9:00 a.m.]. II R S21.
Received March 27 - 11:20 a.m.
The present situation in France presents uncertainties, both abroad and at home. On the one hand there is, in particular, uncertainty about the attitude of Britain, Italy and the League of Nations; to the other hand there are internal differences over the attitude to be adopted towards Germany and Soviet Russia, besides aversion to war, the pressure of the economic and financial situation, and the election campaign. Nevertheless, it is still possible to discern certain principles governing the French attitude towards the Rhineland conflict, which, in my view, may be expected to hold good not only for the present Government, but also, in so far as it is at all possible to discern anything today, for any subsequent Government. They also appear to me to be of importance in judging the question of how France may be expected to react to the new German proposals. 1. France takes the view that the abrogation of the Locarno Pact by Germany constitutes an action the outcome of, which will be decisive for her future and her honour too. She is therefore determined not to accept it without more ado. The view that Germany has thus once again thrown down the gauntlet at France's feet, and that, this time the challenge must be accepted, is widely held in leading political and military quarters. 2. These quarters see in the abolition of the demilitarised zone the penultimate link in the chain of faits accomplis , which constitute the preparatory steps for future unilateral German action on the eastern frontier. The link would automatically unleash war. They therefore believe that they cannot accept recognition of remilitarization and that they cannot rest content without a clear disavowal, in some form or other, of Germany's action in the Rhineland. 3. France holds the view that military situation in the event of warlike complications on Germany's eastern frontier would be rendered considerably more difficult once remilitarization had been completed. In this connection the question of fortifications is of particular importance to her. The construction of a German line of fortifications in the Rhineland is regarded here today not only as a serious obstacle to the fulfilment of France's alliance obligations in the event of war in the East, but also as basically imposing limitations upon her position as a European Great Power. France will therefore most determinedly oppose it. 4. The idea of later entering into negotiations on the German proposals for pacifying Europe is viewed here with hesitation by some, but is completely rejected by the great majority. Mistrust of any treaty offers coming from Germany is at the moment strong even among those elements, which tend to be friendly towards Germany. The endeavours of authoritative circles are at present directed primarily towards strengthening France's position vis-a-vis Germany by measures at home (uniting and guiding French public opinion, military preparations, etc.) and the building up of diplomatic-military alliances; in this connection hopes are also still held of Britain in particular, despite deep hesitations, because the French feel that in the Locarno Pact they have a powerful lever where Britain is concerned. Whether this feeling can be changed and an atmosphere of trust favourable to fruitful general negotiations be created cannot at present be foreseen, because for France the satisfactory... (group mutilated) and conclusion of preliminary negotiations are a precondition for this.
