The Auckland Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, Morning News, The Echo and The Sun. TUESDAY, APRIL 11, 1939. A THREATENING OUTLOOK.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 84, 11 April 1939, Page 8

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

TUESDAY, APRIL 11, 1939. A THREATENING OUTLOOK.

For the cause that lacks assistance, For the rerong that needs resistance, For the future in the distance, And the good that tee can do.

Less than a month ago the British Government professed to be hopeful of the European outlook and Mr. Chamberlain is reported to have summoned the political correspondents of London newspapers especially to inform them of the grounds of his optimism. Since then both the Government and that section of the people Avhich was disposed to place its faith in friendly-seeming speeches of dictators have been thoroughly and finally disillusioned. German troops motored into Prague on March 15, and the German Government flatly rejected British and French protests against an action which Sir John Simon described as " terribly and wholly indefensible." On March 18 the British Ambassador to Berlin was summoned home for consultation. The German Ambassador in London was similarly called home. Neither has returned. The American Ambassador to Berlin was recalled months ago, and after March 15 it was intimated that he would stay in his homeland indefinitely. Thus the normal diplomatic relationships of the two greatest Powers in the world with the third are suspended. Such a condition is a surface symptom of the distrust which German actions have driven deep into the consciousness .of her neighbours, near and far. Every country is now uncertain of what the morrow may bring, and in consequence we are now witnessing that massing of forces which, save for a dramatic initiative by Germany and Italy in favour of peace—and it is from them, now, that any such initiative must come—will ultimately have its climax in ■ war. The British Government's action in calling Parliament must be considered in the light of the fact that previously, when the outlook has appeared black, the Government has resisted demand* that it meet the House. On those occasions there Avas a. sharp division of opinion, both in Parliament and the country. To-day the ranks are closing. The undertaking of a commitment to Poland, with all its risks, was approved with something approaching unanimity, because, apparently, all parties thought that it was inevitable that it should be undertaken. Since then Italy has subjugated Albania, for reasons which clearly have as much to do with the strategy of the axis Powers as with Albania itself. The axis Powers have the habit of responding with actions to the democratic Powers' speeches. But the field for actions which can be safely taken is now extremely narrow, and Mr. Chamberlain later this week may be expected to* define its limits. So much is. unknown concerning the progress of British negotiations with Continental nations in recent weeks that the Prime Minister's statement will v be awaited with the keenest interest and anxiety. He will be comforted in advance by the knowledge that Parliament will be with him, and that the nation's araied strength is far greater than it was in September.