The Auckland Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED FRANCE'S DEFEAT. The Evening News, Morning News, The Echo and The Sun. SATURDAY, JUNE 22, 1940. FRANCE'S DEFEAT.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 147, 22 June 1940, Page 8

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

SATURDAY, JUNE 22, 1940. FRANCE'S DEFEAT.

For the caute that lacks aocntanoc. For the Krong that reeds resist anoa, For the future in (he distance, A nd the pood that tee ran do.

The full consequences of the military defeat of France are at the moment of writing not revealed. We do not know the nature of the ignominy and degradation which a revengeful Hitler has designed for Germany's traditional foe. The measure of German magnanimity in such circumstances may be gained by those who recall the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk. We do not know, in particular, what is to become of the French Navy, the most potent prize that Hitler and Mussolini may hope to receive as the reward of Germany's colossal preparations for war during the eight months that the late Governments of Britain nnd France spent in half-measures and easy assurances. The possibility that the French Fleet will be handed over to Britain's enemy appears as | the most ominous of all threats to Britain's power. That it will be prevented, if prevention is possible, we may feel sure, as sure as we feel that the British Government's silence on the subject masks the most intense activity, both naval and diplomatic.

Meanwhile, some secondary and expected consequences of France's defeat begin to appear far and wide. Spain, already allowed to control Tangier, wants Gibraltar. Japan, becoming interested in French Indo-China, as a preliminary brings pressure to bear on both France and Britain to cease allowing the -supply of arms through their territories to the Chinese Government at Chungking. In the Mediterranean, Egypt withdraws troops from Italy's Libyan border. The probability of Turkey's adherence to her treaties with Britain and France disappears as it is clear that France can no longer reciprocate. And in consequence of the weakening [of Turkey's position, Bulgaria's hopes rise, for her pro-German attitude is not only expedient but may be profitable. Rumania also falls under German diplomatic domination. From Yugoslavia, prisoner between Germany and . Turkey, nothing is heard.

These smaller countries, looking to their welfare, their own existence, know Germany, and fear a Europe dominated from Berlin, but they must alter their course to the wind. When the wind changes again, they will change. But two major Powers in Europe also fear German hegemony —Italy and Russia. Mussolini's position, apparently favourable at the moment, is difficult. He has hopes of territory in the Mediterranean, even of Italian dominance in the middle sea, but he also used to have hopes in SouthEastern Europe. If Germany should triumph, not only will those former hopes vanish, but - his possible gains in the Mediterranean can be held only at Germany's good pleasure. And Germany's other great neighbour sees that possibility which i Stalin has most reason to dread, the possibility that Hitler will have solved his military problem in the West and will, after all, "turn East." As always, there are many rumours about Russia's attitude. Only this can be said with assurance: Russia, since the blitzkrieg started, has given some cause for suggesting that the Moscow Pact is no more durable than any other. Russia does not wish Germany to win the war; Russia wants it to end with both winners land losers weak.

It is impossible to predict the changes, immediate and remote, which will follow the French capitulation. There is one certainty: Britain, with her Dominions, and with the material aid, and even (as it is possible now to hope) the active aid of the United States, is still immensely strong. Her citadel is being fortified, and it will withstand the expected assault. Her Navy, though presently it may be no longer unchallengeable, will not be beaten. And so long as this is true, no reverse and no loss that the British Commonwealth may suffer in the hard days ahead will be final, and none will be unredeemable.