ENGLAND AND EUROPE

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 30, 6 February 1939, Page 4

ENGLAND AND EUROPE

GERMAN VIEWPOINT

EXPLANATION OF POLICY

An interpretation of British policy at long range, of which Germans as a whole have no very clear idea, has appeared in the "Frankfurter Zeitung" from its London correspondent, says.a Berlin message to 'The Times."

The writer complains, of the lack in recent years in -England, of the clear line of policy which alßne secures success. This he attributes to the fact that responsible Ministers regarded public opinion formed by party agitation as more important than trtie statesmanship. The persistence among the general public of a League of Nations ideouogy long after the inadequacy of the League had become fairly apparent was accordingly embarrassing.

The Prime Minister is convinced, he goes on, that the welfare of his people can be secured and promoted only if more peaceful'conditions obtain in the world. His efforts are therefore directed towards creating better international relations and appeasing the present international disagreements. He is trying to do on a grand scale what he did in a small way by reaching agreement with Ireland. The chief aim of British policy today is to fortify world peace. British Governments are today ready to pay a price if they feel that they have thereby contributed towards assuring peace.

Notwithstanding the pleasure and gratitude with which the English people greeted the removal of the threat of war after Munich, they nevertheless felt, the article continues, that their country had not been strong enough in time of danger and had therefore suffered a reverse. In consequence, they demanded a great acceleration of the re-armament programme. Mr. Chamberlain had shown the will to lead on several occasions, but he dare not refuse this demand. Perhaps also he did not wish to refuse it because it tended towards nat: lal revival. After the •mr a period of slumber had set in, thanks to League idealism and- extreme political doctrines, which weakened the State or j ganisations and the national driving power. The awakening began with the first defeat of British foreign policy; since then the idea of re-arma-ment has conquered the whole country.

The writer believes that the mighty machine which the Government are now seeking to establish -will be used by Great Britain only for defensive purposes.

He thinks there is some truth in the claim that England has returned to a policy of isolation seeing that she will fight in future only when her vital interests are endangered. Among these must be included the integrity of certain other nations. The protection of her Empire and of her world trade is England's primary interest, although, in contrast to former periods, she no longer seeks to extend her possessions. Moreover, in present circumstances she is no longer in a position to protect her vital interests alon_. She has, therefore, concluded with France a community of interests which, as Mr. Chamberlain recently said, binds more firmly than a treaty.

The writer is of opinion that England will pursue an elastic policy in order to reach an understanding with Germany and Italy. America urges her to "opt for the Western Powers," but leading British statesmen realise that their country can count upon American help in a European war only after she has already received wounds which could not be healed. She therefore prefers collaboration between the four great European Powers and believes that no secure world peace is possible so long as serious differences exist in Europe. Thus she feels herself weakened in her Far Eastern policy by being constantly forced to pay attention to European developments.

In 1939, the writer concludes, a General Election will takf place. It is to be hoped that it will free Mr. Chamberlain and Lord Halifax in their decisions on foreign policy from the restrictions of home policy which have hitherto prevented any really fruitful co-operation. Fop this the Government would require a closely-knit and determined majority, not an oppressive preponderance which reduces the machinery of Government to indolence and the supporters of the Government to indiscipline.