RANDOM NOTES

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 1, 26 September 1939, Page 6

RANDOM NOTES

Sidelights On Current Events ’(By Kickshaws.) Napoleon bitterly regretted his approach and retreat from Moscow, aud we wonder if history is going to repeat itself. It took just a sufficiency of common cents to bring* the shipping strike in America to an end. ♦ * * Hitler recently informed the British Ambassador he was by nature an artist, not a politician. His previous friends may perhaps recognize certain characteristics of a quick-change artist. ♦ * “May I draw on your inexhaustible fund of information to convince a sceptic that I am not talking through my hat when I assure him that, years ago at least, John Street in AVellington was somewhere in the vicinity of Molesworth Street?” writes “H. 8. “My contention is that John Street, Wingfield Street and Fraser’s Lane formed almost three sides of a square. He declares that the only John Street AVellington can boast of is, and has always beefi, in AVellington South. If, through your column, you will advise on the subject I shall be obliged.” [The Post Office Guide gives only one John Street. It is about the fourth street down Adelaide Road from the Basin Reserve. Wingfield Street, Guthrie Street, Aitken Street and Molesworth Street form a square, but there does not appear to be any John , Street in the vicinity. Maybe old residents in that area could throw light on the streets in the early days.] » * » Mussolini has stressed so frequently and so ardently a desire to remain neutral in the present conflict, one can but begin to believe that he must be sincere. If that be the case, it is unfortunate that he did not make up his mind before his pal Hitler took him for the usual walk up the garden path. Maybe, as a result, however, Italy will remain neutral. Mussolini, when he reflects on the glorious partnership between him and Hitler, must begin to feel that it has been rather one-sided. Italy has got nothing out of the axis, 'and Hitler everything. The Italian people may well 'be asking themselves when Italy is going to cash in on the axis alliance. The huge publicity which surrounded the incredibly * one-sided friendship between Mussolini and Hitler has rebounded in a curious way. The Italian people are in the process of discovering that what the Italian people are going to get from Hitler is just plain nothing. » » » There is nothing more galling than being made the dupe of some other party. Musfeolini must be’feeling the international situation acutely at the moment. Indeed, but for the insincereties of the axis propaganda Hitler could not have done what he has done to make Europe an unbearable place. It will be remembered that some years ago. when Hitler suggested walking into Austria Mussolini wisely put down his foot good and hard. Hitler decided to take a walk elsewhere. The key to Austria was Italy. At that time Mussolini was wise enough to see that a German occupation of Austria would seriously affect Italian vital interests. While this wisdom persisted Europe was safe. Hitler could do nothing except talk. The Abyssinian campaign, however, was used by Hitler as a means to cement a bond of friendship- The “haves” had wanted to prevent Italy getting away with Ethiopia. Moreover, the fact that Italy did get away with Ethiopia opened Hitler’s eyes. He winked at Mussolini, and the two became thick. It would be an exaggeration to call them friends. Hitler’s usual methods are to promise the next victim but one a share in the spoils of the victim of the moment. This worked with Poland over Czechoslovakia and at other times. In the case of Italy Hitler promised Mussolini all sorts’ of things in the Mediterranean if only he would not make a fuss when Hitler occupied Austria. The bait was tempting. Unfortunately, Hitler occupied Austria, but when Mussolini’s kite ran up with his Mediterranean claims it had to be taken down again. Hitler had made a pledge he could not honour. Nevertheless, Hitler had got Austria. This territory was the key to Europe. Mussolini can now contemplate the use to which the key has been put. The fall of Czechoslovakia was inevitable. Poland stupidly started to take a few pickings, instead of guarding her own vital interests. Italy got nothing because Hitler did not uow require Italian help. The £4,900,000 that Italy paid to occupy Albania can not be considered as part of the 'pickings. Mussolini is now confronted with Hitler’s European war, that affects him and his nation vitally. * * * The position of the Italian nation in their adventures in Europe as tbe dupe of Hitler has never been a happy one. All through the association Germany had been waging an increasingly successful trade war in the Balkans and South-east Europe at Italy’si expense. The fall of Austria made the victory in this trade war inevitable. The only thing that united 1 the two dictators was a mutual sense of frustration. Hitler has only increased it. Italy is now more frustrated than ever by Hitler’s unwelcome embroilments. Between the policies of Hitler and Mussolini there have always been greater divergences than was ever made public. Moreover, little' was to 'be expected by Italian association with a semi-bankrupt nation. It became apparent in diplomatic circles last year that the only way for Hitler to escape utter catastrophe was to admit defeat, devalue the mark, drop the war idea, cease rearmament and make agreements with those countries who 'had' the money to help put Germany on her economic feet.. Mussolini has failed to make Hitler see reason. Hitler has gone the way of all adventurers confronted with the age-old impasse.

As regards Italy’s own strategic position, the world has always heard a great deal of the Italian point of view, but very little of the other point of view. Her dependence on sea-borne supplies is great. Over three-quarters of her essential supplies come by sea. Indeed, there is no alternative route. Her supplies of coal, oil and iron are largely imported l by sea. It is obvious that the closing of her sea routes would ihake her existence in war very problematical. If blockaded it is the considered opinion of many experts that she-could not keep going. It is therefore probable that Mussolini has long pondered the fact that the British navy is nearly four times as strong as his own. There is also the French naw to consider. The fact that ‘Hitler’s Russian pact, with all its secret clauses, angered possible participants in the anti-Comitern pact, left Italy in a very dangerous position. Many of her armies were at the eml of long sea routes. There has been smouldering revolutior in Ethiopia ever since the Abyssinian campaign. There is nothing more certain than the fact that if Italy came II conflict with a first-class naval Powe’ her vital communications would l be cut at their most sensitive pointe.