Geneza deklaracji londyńskiej z 3 lutego 1935 r.
Streszczenie
The aim of this paper is to present the circumstances, which led to announcement of
London Declaration and British diplomacy’s part in this regard. London communiqué
exemplified another attempt of solution issue of German “equality of rights” demands in
armaments and French “security” postulate. This iunctim has been included in Powers
Declaration from December the 11th 1932. British diplomacy directly contributed to recognition
of this principle, because the British had recognised German thesis morally and politically
correct. There existed, as well, the fear of Germany’s withdrawal from Disarmament Conference
and open rearmament.
“ Equality of rights” in diplomatic vocabulary meant rearmament. The British diplomacy
tried to limit extent of German armaments through disarmament convention (MacDonald’s
Plan of 15th March 1933), and after withdrawal of Germany from Geneva and breakdown
of the Disarmament Conference, through arms convention (Disarmament Memo of 29th
January 1934). For this reasons the British feigned ignorance with regard to German violation
of the military provisions of the Peace Treaty.
On 17th of April 1934, French diplomacy refused further negotiations on legalisation of
German armaments, due to lack of security guarantee. However, the British diplomacy, in
sequel, intended to bargain with Hitler and to reach agreement on armaments, although
Defence Requirements Committee recognised Germany “as ultimate potential eneny”. But attempt to find solution in connection with negotiation on Eastern Locarno, during the
summer 1934, ended with failure.
At least, in November-December 1934, the British cabinet took the decision about final
solution of the problem of the illegal German armaments, which was regarded as an
accomplished fact. According to reports from British Embassy in Berlin, there were the threat
that Hitler as first, at the beginning 1935, would propose to resume negotiation on armaments
or else would present ex-Allies with a fait accompli. The British intended to take over the
initiative and establish common standpoint with the French and propose to change Part V of
the Treaty return for some preconditions earlier. On 22nd of December Pierre Laval, new
French Foreign Secretary, accepted provisionally this proposition. The fundamental part of
the formula declaration has been established through diplomatic means at the end of January
1935. Final arrangements on condition of the cancellation of the disarmament clauses ensued
during visits of French ministers in London at the beginning of February 1935.
Anglo-French declaration of 3th of February was the attempt to reach of a general
settlement, with Hitler, and proposed negotiation: of the armaments question, Germany’s
participation in Eastern, Danubian and Air Pact and Her return to the League of Nations,
simultaneously. Hitler provisionally agreed to talks, but only with England and merely on
Air Pact he voiced favour. Soon chancellor presented the ex-Allies with a fait accompli and
British aims: limitation of armaments and Germany’s return to Geneva was not realised
although individual parts of London declaration were discussed until autumn 1935.
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