PEACE OR WAR?

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 58, 9 March 1936, Page 7

PEACE OR WAR?

SEQUEL TO CRISIS.

Possible Outcomes of Gesture From Hitler. PACIFISTS HOPEFUL. United Trass Association. —Copyright. (Received 1 p.m.) LONDON, March 8. The Sun-Herald news service says the consequences of Herr Hitler's action cannot be even dimly foreseen. The situation to-day is that London is calm and cool, that Berlin is solidly behind Herr Hitler, that Paris is planning her next move for Geneva, that New \ork is determined to "keep out of Europe's mess," and that the other European capitals are anxiously awaiting a lead from London and Paris. All reports from Paris agree that France will demand international sanctions against Germany at the League Council. This would place Britain in an unenviable position, having led the sanctions movement against Italy. Ardent pacifists like Sir Philip Gibbs and Mr. George Lansburv believe that Herr Hitler's action will possibly bring peace. Sir Philip, writing in the "Sunday Chronicle," says: "Herr Hitler gives a new hope to humanity. His seven points are inspired by a most generous spirit of peace. If accepted, they will surely blow away the dark fears haunting the world's soul. Refusal would be a criminal act against humanity." "Those who desire peace should take Herr Hitler at his word," said Mr. George Lansbury. "Europe and the world are reaping a harvest of the bitterness, hatred, distrust and disillusionment sown by the penal peace treaties. Britain and France do not need any mobilisation other than the mobilisation of common sense. Any attempt to gain security by universal slaughter will fail." The "Observer" says: "We must keep cool heads and just hearts. Britain's first need is to repair her own defences. Her second is to consider Herr Hitler's brilliant and timely proposals in a spirit of sympathy, good will and sober realism." Acid Test of Sincerity. Mr. Lloyd George said: "I hope we keep our heads." Viscount Snowden said: "Herr Hitler's statement has transformed the European situation. It is the acid test of sincerity of every European statesman. His previous peace overtures have been ignored, but the peoples will not permit this offer to be ignored or rejected. A conference of the nations should be called immediately." The "Sunday Express" says: "According to the written policy of the Government, Britain is bound to take action if the League tells her to do so. The British public may vote for the League, but will not march to war at its direction on such a trivial pretext." The "Sunday Dispatch" says: "Germany has brought to a clear single issue the tangled sophistries of diplomats. Given wise handling by the nations, Herr Hitler's intention may be justified by results." Mr. Anthony Eden and M. Corbin, French Ambassador, conferred at the Foreign Office, otherwise all was quiet at Whitehall and the German Embassy, but there was considerable activity at the French Embassy. The French Cabinet sat in Paris for a long time, and decided that Herr Hitler's statement was unacceptable. A meeting of the Locarno Treaty signatories is to be called for Tuesday. M. Flandin will ask that the League Council be convoked. Ho has approved military measures 011 the French frontier, and has authorised the Ministries of War, of the Army and of the Air to prepare supplementary measures. The Chamber will meet on Tuesday, when the Government will make a statement. Nervousness at Vienna. The Vienna Press is nervous. The "Tagcblatt" says: "We miss something vital from Herr Hitler's declaration, namely, an offer to respect Austria's integrity." The "Reiclispost" regards the offer to rejoin the League as aimed at placating Britain, where, the paper thinks, action will be considered most important 011 account of the ItaloAbyssinian dispute. Unofficial circles in Moscow regard Herr Hitler's actions as a last desperate attempt to bluff France into non-iatifi-cation of the pact with Soviet. Critics, characterising Herr Hitler as "the madman of Europe," recall M. Stalin's recent remark, namely, "Nowadays wars are not declared, they simply start." N Messages from German correspondents in London emphasise the "cold-blooded-ness" with which Herr Hitler's declaration was received in England. It is true that the statement was received calmly in England by the Press and the Government is most reserved. If it is possible to summarise the general feeling it may be said that the statement presents an opportunity for averting a threatened world war, but this is dependent on the French attitude.