PEACE IN EUROPE

Evening Star, Issue 21786, 31 July 1934, Page 9

PEACE IN EUROPE

BRITAIN HOLDS THE KEY PRESENT SITUATION REVIEWED 1 Prttt Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, July 30. Mr G. Ward Price, in an article in the ‘ Daily Mail,’ says: “ France, which is now at the peak of her military strength, fears war, but does not fear Germany. France would take part in any war which began by Germany attacking a Western European Power, and she wants Britain to guarantee Holland’s neutra ity in addition to that of Belgium, enablin Holland to allow its aerodromes to be used by. the British Air Force as bases for counter-attacks against Germany if necessary. France does not think Germany wants war because her preparations are incomplete, though she is convinced that Germany has a concealed- air force capable of inr stant and formidable offence agajnst France or England in mass formations, against which no great city can be defended.”

Mr Price points out that small States round Germany believe that she would annex first Austria, then Czechoslovakia, and then drive through Yugoslavia to the Adriatic. “ However, events like the Dollfuss assassination may lead Germany into courses Herr Hitler is anxious to avoid, Austria leans heavily on Italy, yet the latter alarms her because if the Austrian Nazi Legion entered Northern' Austria from Germany, Italian troops would simultaneously enter Southern Austria. Prince Starhemberg is courageous, but impetuous, and is lacking in knowledge and statesmanship. Ton years ago he supported the Hitler putsch at Munich, but now leads a Government which believes Herr Hitler is its worst enemy. Many people regard Royalist restoration as the best pledge of peace, as neither the Hohenzollerns nor .the Hapsburgs would again risk / their thrones by warfare. England holds the key to the situation. Hesitation, obscurity, and reserve by the British Government would help and not hinder the crash.” 1 < •