Saturday, July 12, 1930

Germany:

Berlin:  Germany submits its official reply to France’s idea for a “United States of Europe.”  Echoing some of the themes of Italy’s reply, Germany asks for a revision of the Treaty of Versailles and “equality” for Germany as a condition of Germany’s participation, as well as general European disarmament.

Meanwhile, Hermann Dietrich, Finance Minister, presents modified tax proposals to the Taxation Committee of the Reichstag which call for helping municipalities provide unemployment insurance to those who lose their jobs.  This would be funded by a poll tax, graduated according to a person’s means, and taxes on alcoholic beverages.  The proposals meet with a rough reception from the committee -- so much so that Dietrich is quoted as saying there’s no point proceeding with them, even though they will go before the full Reichstag soon.
 

Weimar:  Wilhelm Frick, nazi Minister of the Interior and Education in Thuringia, announces he has no plans to discontinue the “hate prayers” being recited in Thuringian schools, despite yesterday’s court decision that they are unconstitutional.
 

Rome – Paris:  The French and Italian governments find themselves in an odd spot – having to deny rumors that Italy had sought assurances of neutrality from Germany in the event of a war between Italy and France, and that France had communicated its displeasure to Germany over the matter.  The story supposedly came from a “high German authority,” who said Italian dictator Benito Mussolini had approached Berlin unofficially through naval and military attaches, asking whether Germany would remain neutral should Italy go to war with France.

“The Berlin story is a base lie and product of the imagination,” the Italian foreign office says.  “Italy has never proposed that Germany remain neutral in case of a Franco-Italian conflict.  France’s acceptance of Premier Mussolini’s proposal of a naval holiday is the most glaring proof of Italy’s desire to maintain the most friendly relations with France.”  France likewise calls the story, “a ridiculous fantasy and another hot weather yarn.”