BEFORE THE BREAK.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 210, 6 September 1939, Page 8

BEFORE THE BREAK.

HITLER'S TERRORISM.

(By PERTINAX.)

PARIS, August 17.

The only definite information brought back from Berclitesgaden iby Professor Burckliardt, who was received there on Sunday, is. that Herr Hitler could have either a change of views or a conference between the principal European Powers, which would transcend the problem of Danzig and aim at 'bringing about a European settlement. For the rest Professor Burckliardt has only vague "words from the Fuehrer to report, for instance that his purpose is to uphold and vindicate German honour, «tc._ The inference to be drawn from these indications is that Herr Hitler is inclined to try again to have his programme fulfilled iby diplomatic measuring. But why did Herr Hitler think of making use of Dr. Burckliardt. whose functions before they were emptied of their substance consisted of nothing more than to mediate in a conflict that might arise between the Free City of Danzig and the Polish Government? The answer is that the Italian Government made a suggestion to that effect. Dr. Burckliardt always had friends among the Italians. Moreover, at the present moment, the Fuehrer and the Duce, when thev want to move on the diplomatic plane, have no longer a. large choice of interlocutors and intermediaries. Finally, it must 'be oWrved that Herr Hitler and Signor Mussolini are very careful not to commit themselves personally to any step likely to be interpreted as indicating that it is 'beyond their power to hold fast and that notwithstanding the terrorist treatment meted out to the peaceful nations internal weakness can be detected on their side. On the Polish Front. Xow -were such negotiations as the Fueirer has in view to ta'ke shape, it would very soon be discovered, and nobody here doubts it. that Germany expects to be left a free hand in Eastern Europe as against the promise to reach ai\ agreement with Poland about Danzig, and that she is ready to give a pledge of nonaggression to France and England subject to the conclusion by tln-e Powers of a satisfactory arrangement, with Italv. In short, the appeal to Dr. Burckliardt does not initiate on the part of Germany what can be called a new policy. No lea f is 'being turned in the old -book. If the old illusion of Mr. Chamber- ; lain and M. Bonnet were revised, a beginning could be made with an all-round negotiation. I the dislocation of the "peace front*' would quickly come about, and perha|>s in addition ! the splitting up of the body of public opinion j in France and England which now is solid in | favour of resistance to the totalitarian States, j

But the Burckliardt matter can be regarded closed. Professor Burekhardt has disappointed both Germans and Italians through refusing to go to Geneva and London. Upon him the curtain is probably about to be dropped. But will not Italian diplomacy, the true instigator of the move, attempt to set' the Vatican in motion? Let us remember that in his public address on June 2, Pius XII. insisted that the possibility remains for him to renew the proposals he put forward at the beginning of May for a conference of the five Powers, Poland, and not Russia, beinsr the fifth.

Full details have become available of late weeks about what passed over three months ago 'between the Holy See and Signor Mussolini and Herr Hitler. Signor Mussolini saw the Pope first, twenty-four hours before any other Government. He could therefore have stopped the whole undertaking. He did not. Monsignor Burgonciui Duea, the Papal Xuneio who saw him, was able to tell the Holy Father that nothing was in the -way. "I am not in a hurry, I can afford to wait." said Signor Mussolini to him. As to Herr Hitler, he told Monsignor Orsenigo that he eould reach his. goal without waging war. In the end both dictators formally rejected the Vatican's suggestion. hut not before they had ascertained that resistance to them by France and Poland was certain. With the Dictators.

Since last May, Pius XII. has moved still further away from Pius Xl.'s political doctrines, points of view and methods. The Apostolic Visitor to Prague (amounting to a de facto recognition of the accomplished fact in Bohemia) and his instructions given to the "Osservatore Romano"' to refrain from publishing anything too unpleasant to the dictatorial regime are cases in point. Indeed, Pius XII. advances now on lines more or less parallel to those which on August 1. 1917. in the midst of the Great War. had led Benedict XV. to the proposals for a blank peace, which would have confirmed Germany in her positions in Eastern Europe.

Such is the activity that can be perceived behind the scenes. My own impression is that it will mine to very little and perhaps to nothing, first. because France and Great Britain arc pledged to comply with Poland's decision about, what must be done for the defence of Polish national interests, which ienough to exclude a compromise. and. secondly, because France and Great Britain are practically bound to Russia not to enter into any important negotiations with the dictators except with Russia',? approval and participation. If tiic military negotiations in Moscow ended in failure, all tho«-e diplomatic schemes of Heir Hitler and Signor Mussolini might have a chance. But the Western Powers will do their utmost to make them a success — (X.AJN'.A.)