Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1941. HITLER’S PUPPETS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 62, Issue 44, 2 December 1941, Page 4

Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1941. HITLER’S PUPPETS.

One of the most interesting international gatherings that has ever assembled was that held at Berlin last week for the purpose of extending the Anti-Comintern Pact. Those present were the representatives of Hitler s satellite Powers and the object could not have been to strengthen the front against the Comintern for Hitler already dictates their policies —so much as to flatter the Germans and impress upon the subject peoples the might and pomp of the Fuhrer. Italy of course was present and those poor puppets, Bulgaria and Slovakia. The presence of Denmark was somewhat of a surprise, her inclusion probably being intended as a graceful tribute to her quick submission to the Nazi invasion last year. But though officially represented, the Danes were by no means an approving people, as is shown by the serious rioting that took place in Copenhagen in protest against participation in the pact. That opposition was based on principle, if the Danes place any reliance in the statement by their Foreign Office that their country’s position as a non-belligerent is not affected. Japan, as was only to be expected, reaffirmed her adherence, her ambassador stating that the new order in the Far East would be reconstructed in the spirit of the pact. But perhaps the most interesting signatory is Spain. The Spanish Government has long abandoned neutrality for non-belligerency, a term new to international law, and indicating in this instance an earnest hope for a German victory and an eagerness to share <n the crumbs from the rich German table. A considerable time ago Colonel Knox (United States Secretary of the Navy) estimated that at least a German division was stationed in Spain, whose value to Hitler as an avenue for men and supplies to French North Africa is clear. Vichy France was not honoured by an invitation to the ceremony. Peace has not yet been declared between France and Germany and, in spite of all Petain’s abasements since the armistice, he has not earned the right to appear at the council table of those pledged to exterminate Bolshevism.