The Auckland Star WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, Morning News, The Echo and The Sun.

THURSDAY, JULY 30, 1936. DANZIG NEXT?

For the cause that lack." assif.iancc, For the wrong that needs resistance, For the future in the distance, And the good that we can do.

The freedom of the Free City of Danzig has long been precarious, and recent reports suggest that this creation of the Versailles Conference and ward of the League of Nations will shortly be taken back by Germany, perhaps in circumstances similar to those in which the Rhineland was reoccupied by German troops. The city was formerly the capital of West Prussia, and the military headquarters of north-eastern Germany. Its population, about 90 per cent German, is increasingly Nazi German, and if Herr Hitler should decide soon that the time has arrived for its restoration it is difficult to see how that could be prevented. The League of Nations has lost nearly all its moral authority, and Britain and France, which were unable to agree upon measures to counter the Rhineland move, would be still less likely to support resolute action to protect the nominal independence of a city remote from them both.

There is a strong body of opinion, in Britain if not in France, which is disposed to the view that the more artificial creations of the Versailles peace-makers cannot in any event survive, and that areas such as Danzig, where the population is predominantly German, must revert to Germany. Unfortunately for Europe's security of mind, Germany lias learned that the shortest way to gain her ends in these matters is to ignore the League of Nations and specific treaties, and to confront the other Powers with an accomplished fact. Her inoccupation of the Rhineland produced a diplomatic sensation, much nervousness in France, great calmness in England, a hurried meeting of the League Council, and an exchange of views between London, Berlin and Paris, but —German troops remain in the Rhineland. There appears little reason to expect that decisive German action in Danzig j would produce anything more serious. j

Sooner or later the Powers and small nations which have watched the German expansion movement with increasing distrust must agree either to unite in checking it or to invite Germany to a conference at which her claims will be discussed on their merits, as Turkey's claim respecting the Dardanelles was discussed. Acquiescence in treaty-breaking simply gives encouragement to its repetition, and the end must be international anarchy. Britain, France and Belgium, at their recent meeting, agreed to invite Germany and Italy to a conference with the object of framing "a new Locarno," but Mr. Eden has emphasised that a great deal of preparatory work must first be done. The experience of recent years suggests that while the other Powers are pondering Germany acts. Danzig may provide the next example.