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"ROBBER BARONS."

THE NAZI BANDITS.

RUTHLESS AND FAITHLESS. YELLOW BOOK EXPOSURES. (By PERTIXAX.) PARIS. The great importance of the Yellow Book published by the French Government is not so much to expose the guilt of Germany (is regards the immediate origin of the war (on that point full light has already been shed by the British Blue Book), but firstly fully to lift the veil upon the course followed by Franco-German relations from the Munich settlement to the outbreak of the conflict, and particularly upon the use which the Keich Government made of the Franco-German declaration of DccembcG, 1!):SS; secondly to show the game played by Germany between Poland and Soviet Russia) thirdly, to lay bare the obstinate and violent nature of the German designs for the domination of Europe, ami ucrlmpa of countries outside Europe; fourthly, to make plain to the common man that in order to placate such a wild and astute force concessions ond compromises were of no avail. There existed only for the Western Powers onj single method to save petice: to confront (ho Fuehrer with a defensive system stronger than the material power at his command

Tim Franco-German declaration was signed in Paris on December fi, 103S, by M. Bonnet and Ilerr von liibbcntrop. M. Francois Poneet, the (hen French Ambassador in Berlin (now in Rome), who was approached by (he Fuehrer on (he subject when he took leave of him on October IS, described the proposal as a "lottery ticket." Indeed that expression was rather hyperbolic. As early as December 15, M. Conlondrc (51. Poncet's successor in Berlin) had to wire to Paris that iii (he judgment of the highest Nazi authorities the declaration was nothing more than a device intended to cover Germany in the west while she started '■undertakings in other directions." Germany's "Guarantee." A touchstone, of Germany's sincerity had been provided in (he Munich scUlemciit. Herr Hitler had agreed that the new frontiers on the rump Czechoslovak Stale still left in existence would be jointly guaranteed by France, Britain and Germany. But on December 22, M. Conlondrc, having attempted to remind fieri- von Wcizsackcr, the German Secretary of State, that (he above promise would have (o be fulfilled, only succeeded in drawing from him a cour(eouslv ironical remark, "Would it not he possible quietly (o drop that matter? Because of Germany's preponderance in that part of Europe is it not enough for her to give a guarantee!"

Following upon Lord Halifax's exhortations. M. Bonnet had to instinct M. Coulondrc formally In ask on February S, in:) 0, for (ln> conclusion of a treaty 'embodying tlie Anglo-French-German guarantees. On March 2. Conlondrc met with ii stern refusal. Czechoslovakia was doomed. And on March IS, when the French Ambassador delivered to Heir van Wcizsackcr a note of protest drafted in Paris, tlie latter had the effrontery io refuse to take it from his hand a.nd (old him the French Cabinet had better reconsider the whole question and that France would he sorrv some, dav for what she was clomp. ' It is clear (hat the German Government had always interpreted the Franco-German declaration to (lie effect that France would no longer interfere with Germany's doings in Central and Eastern Europe. The French Government on the contrary maintained that Germany's special interests in those regions of Europe were not (.1 be. con-trued in Mich an abusive manlier as to mean in practice (hat France's alliances with Poland and Soviet Russia had ceased to exist. Attempt to Involve Poland. Those contradictory versions of the treatv of December li are. to be seen at their best in the hitter letters 11. Bonnet and Heir von liibbcntrop bad to exchange on that capital point of July 1:J and 21; as to the manoeuvres carried out by German diplomacy at the other side of Europe, thev can be summarised as follows, from 'the evidence of the Yellow Hook.

In a lirst jicrioil beginning mi Jnnuarv 2fi, 1934, Ilcrr Hitler endeavoured to exploit, the Poli-di-Gcrman declaration signed on tlmt day so as to enlist the services of Poland against Russia and to achieve ill co-operation with her the conquest of the Ukraine. It is reported by the l'rcnch Ambassadors in Berlin and Warsaw that in October, 1935, and ill January and March. 10,' i!), (he Fuehrer or Horr von Uibbenlrop tried to secure Colonel Beck's agreement to a plan of that sort, particularly on January 5 at ISorchostegaden when Ilcrr Hitler submitted to the Polish Minister a map of Europe redrawn according to his own visions. Of course, Poland would have been reduced to the condition of a vassal if llerr Hitler's arrangement* had succeeded. But Polish patriotism reacted vehemently against Germany once the destruction'of Czechoslovakia had become an accomplished fact and what was in store for Poland could not any more be in doubt. Polish resistance erysytlliscd about, the problem of Danzig, quite a secondary one by itself.

Then a second period began on March 2li, the date of (he rejection of German proposals ' regarding the "Free City." '["hen Hcrr Hitler realised that lie could not engage in a war with fair prospects of success as long as it was *Ull possible that Russia might join the AngloFrench alliance. He felt more and more inclined to act upon Hcrr von Ribbentrop's advice, and gradually made up his mind to do what he could'to wean Moscow from the Western Powers. The Turn to Russia. On May 7 and 9, M. Coulondrc sent to Paris the first documentarv warniims that Germany might change her attitude towards ISnssiu. Ineidentallv he records Unit Japans equivocal attitude towards Berlin was a potent reason for Hcrr Hitler to sock for Itussia's goodwill. On May 22, on Juno 13, 21), -J-2 and on

August 15 and 16, M. Coulondre (who spent July in STrance) -continuously hammered on the same theme: bo careful about Russia, do come to terms with her "as soon as possible and. at all costs." To keep tho military leaders within bounds no more efficient means are available. M. Noel, the French Embassador in Warsaw, offered the same advico and so did Sir Xevile Henderson on June 1. The lengthy reports forwarded to the Qtiai d'Orsav'by M. Coulondre on March 14, 10 and 18, describing German policy in action against Czechoslovakia are likely to become classics of'their kind. Brutality mingles with duplicity and cunning'in the way of German rulers. To quote one single detail, Marshal Goe.ring's medical advisers had been convened and were in attendance in Hcrr Hitler's palace when President Dacha of_ Czechoslovakia, was compelled to sign the agreement whereby ho delivered Bolteiniu to the Fuehrer. Everything had been foreseen, even that the old man would faint and would have to be brought back to life with an injection. Hcrr Hitler and his men, rulers of a great empire as they are, can only be compared to those petty chiefs of German tribes in the fifth century who moved front one lobcnsramn to another through slaughter and loot and more often than not set at naught the vigilance and power of the Koninn Emperors ; of the East and of the West.—X.A.X.A. i

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Permanent link to this item

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19400323.2.44

Bibliographic details

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 70, 23 March 1940, Page 6

Word Count
1,190

"ROBBER BARONS." Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 70, 23 March 1940, Page 6

"ROBBER BARONS." Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 70, 23 March 1940, Page 6