The Auckland Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, Morning News The Echo and The Sun. FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 1938. THIS WAR TALK.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 65, 18 March 1938, Page 6

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

FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 1938. THIS WAR TALK.

For the cause that tacks assistance, For the icrony that needs resistance, For the future in the distance. And the good that we can do.

There is talk in England, mostly in the Lnbour and Liberal parties, which have not the responsibility of the Government, of the necessity of "making a stand." What does the phrase mean? Agaipst whom, and for what, [should Britain "make a stand"? Germany has occupied and annexed Austria, but Britain is not called upon to "make a stand" against that, because if her "stand" should mean war — land it would mean war —British soldiers would jbe fighting to prevent a German country from becoming part of the German Reich, which would be ridiculous. However, it is true that Germany's actions and methods in relation to Austria have been such as to destroy trust in her, and to make her other small neighbours jfearful. They—and particularly Czechoslovakia—fear that Austria's fate may be theirs. There are over 3,000,000 Germans in Czechoslovakia, and most of them are dissatisfied with their status. It appears that they would rather be with Germany. If that is their desire, would Britain "make a stand" to prevent them? Why should she? It is hard to think of a reason why Britain should "make a stand" in that quarter of Europe, except this: France (as well as Russia) has promised to help Czechoslovakia if she is attacked, and Britain has promised to help France if France is attacked. It might happen (if we assume that Germany is certain to attack Czechoslovakia, which is not certain) that because France was helping the Czechoslovaks, 01* about to help them,' she herself would be attacked. Apparently she would then expect Britain to help her. If Britain did so she would be brought into war because of France's promise to Czechoslovakia. British people at Home and in the Dominions would want a better reason than that for going to war. Then we come to Bpain. There is civil war there, and it seems probable now that General Franco's forces are going to win it. Germany and Italy, particularly Italy, have been helping Franco and are still helping him. The Spanish Government side has been helped from France and Russia, and is still being helped. Britain has been consistently neutral and has tried to keep the other Powers neutral, because she has seen from the first that if they got into competition in helping the rival forces in Spain there would soon be a European war. Now, it is reported, the Freneh Government is disposed to abandon non-intervention, and even wants Britain to abandon it, too. Whether that is true or not, the Opposition in ■ the House of Commons strongly favours that course. The Government has said "No," and the House supported it, by 317 votes to 141. We may be thankful for that.

Those who favour intervention in Spain assert that General Franco's victory will mean a "Fascist Spain." In that event France would be seriously weakened. She would be much less valuable as Britain's potential ally. Also, a Fascist Spain (in alliance with, or subservient to the wishes of Germany and Italy) would make the Mediterranean trade route even less safe for Britain than it is now. These are serious considerations, for, as Britain fears the intentions of the Fascist Powers, and is arming against them, it would be short-sighted to allow them to gain a dominating position, in relation to France and the Mediterranean, if she can avoid it. But are these fears of a "Fascist Spain" justified? All we can say is that Mr. Chamberlain, who presumably knows everything that the Opposition knows, does not think so. The great majority of the House of Commons trusts him and supports him, and the Dominions can do no other. They may feel that his policy of conciliation has been blighted at the beginning, and its future growth is doubtful, but it is at least keeping Britain out of war, whereas the policy of his opponents would plunge her straight into it.