HITLER'S COUP.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 90, 18 April 1939, Page 8

HITLER'S COUP.

U.S.A. NOT SURPRISED.

THE PRESIDENT'S WARNING

Shocked as is the United States by the Hitlerian, suppression of Czechoslovakia, it did not share the surprise with which the news was greeted in Europe, even in Italy. Some such coup had been expected. Before going to the naval manoeuvres three weeke ago (wrote the New York correspondent of the London "Observer" on March 19), President Roosevelt had publicly expressed his forebodings about the idee of March. In London and Park he was thought to be unduly alarmist and behind the newe. In turn American_ officiate expressed perturbation over the facile optimism registered in London's buoyant markets, and brought to this country in the Press and by word of mouth that there would be no spring crisis.

The fact is that Americans, from President down, have never overcome their dubiety over appeasement on the Munich model. It is curious that the country which has traditionally velied on hope and good intention* should turn out to have been most realistic. With the country at large, to which domestic are now secondary to foreign affairs, in marked contrast to 1914. Mr. Roosevelt ie following events abroad with avidity. The chief source of what he calls lite "intake" is reputed to be Ambassador Bullitt. Mr. Bullitt, who as a stripling State Department official attained renown as shrewd observer in the World War, kopps in constant telephonic contact with the White Houee.

Both he and Ambassador Kennedy reported recently to Washington a* prophets of gloom. So full of dark prognostications were they that they aroused the ire of Senators, who accused them of tryiiwr to stampede the Senate into anti-aggreeeor action.

"Mein Kampf ,, Widely Read,

The people rer|HJre<? no official tip, however. After Munich they had made up their minds that the world had to cope with a paranoic Caesar, to whom both Pan-Germanism and anti-Semitism were camouflage. Those of them who met or heard Dr. Benes and M. Jan Maearyk found ample confirmation for their fears. At private affairs the former Czech President, who feels that the great mistake in Franco-British statesmanship wa« the lack of confidence in Russia and Rumania, dated the next move for March.

A final source of popular misgivings was the widespread reading of the unexpnrgated "Moin Kampf," over which, incidentally, the publishers are waging a "Kampf" of* their own. In the Welles statement the United States does not conceal its disgust with Xazi tactics, and in private conversation the language is more acrid. "Go and eee a. real man," a high official advised the correspondents when news was brought in of Czech Minister Hurban's flat refusal to turn his Legation over to the Germans. Hurban is becoming a hero to a people who etill feel a paternal Interest in Czechoslovakia.

The mo.«t extraordinary part of ttie Welle* statement i* the emphasis* on the "temporary" nature of the Czech overturn. It is the President's firm conviction that totalitarianism of the Nazi variety is a passing phenomenon. But that ie a long-term view. Immediately the Washington view is that the obliteration of Czechoslovakia, is merely a scheduled signal of a greater storm to blow over Europe, thi* time without a breathing spell. Herr Hitler, as one observer puts it. is bidding for the mantle not only of Mittcl Europa but of Europa herself.

Ready for Emergencies,

Since Munich the realisation has been creeping over Americans that it cannot contract out of a. common destiny with Europe. What happens in Eastern Europe would not goad America if Britain and France remain nnimplicatcd. It is in the fate of the Mediterranean that Washington senses entanglement. At the same time there is no more tendency now than before (subject always to the qualification that the White House is occupied by a quick-change President) forehandedly to meet the menace, though anxiety remains unabated to galvanise other democracies to do so.

However, alive to the nature of the trouWe, the United States has been putting itself vigorously in readiness for emergency ever since Munich. This week's event* have speeded the special defence measure. The project to more or less fortify Guam will be revived in a more euphemistic Rivers and Harbour* Bill. The move to Tevise the Neutrality Statute ie etill hanging fire. But it was sidetracked this week by the more urgent Pittman resolution to authorise navy yards here to build warships for South American republics. The breach of Munich has given most fillip to the new plan of American policy. What riposte to the actual coup is available is in process of development. There is no Ambassador to call back, but Czech goods ■nill join German goods on America's black list; that is, they will be subject to least-favoured-nation duties and the demand for further economic sanctions has been rekindled. Talk is also heard of impounding the gold and credits earmarked here for Czeehoslovakians if Minister Hurban is not able to do so.