REVIEW OF THE YEAR

Evening Star, Issue 23461, 29 December 1939, Page 7

REVIEW OF THE YEAR

1939 The year that has pa'ssed will be remembered for all time as that in which the “white war,” the “ war of nerves,” of threats and intimidation and mounting armaments which Hitler had waged for »t least three years against the ■democratic Powers, merged into the “ red war ” of destruction which he invited, hut probably does not relish so much. On September 3, 1914 was back again. The British Empire, France, •nd Poland were at war with Germany ' —a Germany bent on the same aim as twenty-five years before, world dominance. Pan-Germanism had been reborn as Nazism —stronger after 'sis years of propaganda which gave it an irresistible appeal to youth, weaker only in the economic condition of the German nation and by divisions, difficult to measure, of the older generation .which its methods of domestic tyranny had induced. Actual hostilities were ■ begun too recently to require recalling, except in the most general aspects, hare, but something must he said of provocations preceding them. First, however, it is essential to point out that-when the year began the warfare in Spain wap still proceeding, That was an ideological war, according to - the Italians and Germans who assisted Franco—a war against Communism.- Russia had given earlier help to the Spanish Government. Hitler, who denied his aid most of the time, boasted of it, as given in that sacred cause, when his airmen returned to Germany. On January 26 Barcelona fell, and the rest of Catalonia was soon overrun by the Nationalists. On February 27 Great Britain and France recognised the Franco regime as the de jure Government of Spain. On March 28 Madrid surrendered, and there was no more resistance to that Government. On March 15, in contravention of the Munich agreement, German troops invaded Bohemia and Slovakia and entered Prague, whose Government, under coercion, was made to acknowledge the . independence of the latter country. The Czech people were proclaimed to he under the protection of the Reich, with false guarantees for the autonomous development of the Czech national life. So the Slovaks and Czechs, in effect, were both added to the Reich, under the pretence, in the first instance at least; of self-determination. The pretext of racialism, used earlier to incorporate the Austrians,, was thrown overboard. At the same time Ruthenia was allocated with German 1 consent to Hungary, - whose troops - had invaded that -country. ; Britain, France, Russia, and America refused to recognise the German ocupation of Czeeho-Slovakia.

On March 22, under threat of force, the Lithuanian Government surrendered Mem%rito Germany. were, heard of German pressure on Poland, and on March 31 Mr Chamberlain announced that, pending the completion of negotiations between the demo-, cratic Powers and Russia for a common front against aggression, “ in the event of any action which clearly threatened Polish independence andl which the. Polish Government accordingly concidered it vital to resist with its national forces, the British Government would feel bound at once to lend the Polish Government all support in its power.” France joined the pledge with Britain, and Russia approved. On April,7, following negotiations between, Italy and Albania for the strengthening of a treaty between the two countries to give Italy more influence, an Italian fleet, with aeroplanes and. troops, made a descent upon the chief Albanian ports, and troops quietly occupied the country. The Albanian Parliament had declared the demands unacceptable.. King Zog was proclaimed an outlaw and forced to lake refuge in flight, and Italy declared i provisional protectorate over Albania. A new incentive was given to the democratic Powers to form a united front against aggression, and the guarantee given to Poland was extended to Greece and Rumania.

At the end of April Hitler denounced the German-Polish non-aggression treaty when only half its ten years term had expired, on the ground that Poland had accepted a guarantee of her independence from Great Britain. At the same time V limited measure of conscription,, was adopted by the British Parliament as a preparation for the Worst, and also to convince the world that Britain was in earnest in her fledges. German intrigues against Danzig went on. Arms were smuggled Into the Free City, where the Nazis held the governing power, with pretence of atrocities by the Poles and propaganda against everything British. Repeated attempts of President Roosevelt to have issues referred to peaceful arbitrament were rejected by Berlin. On May 22 a military pact was ngned between Germany and Italy providing for permanent contact on all Questions and full military support on ■land, sea, or in the air if either should be involved in warlike complications With another Power or Powers.

On May 31, an Anglo-Turkish treaty was announced by which the two countries pledged themselves, in the event of an act of aggression leading to war h the Mediterranean, to co-operate effectively and lend each other all issistance in their power. The agreement was extended to France.

Finally, while the Frnnco-British delegates were in Moscow pursuing long-drawn-out negotiations to bring Russia into the Peace Front, it was innounced—August 21—that Russia ind Germany had made a non-aggres-kion pact. Immediately before this— August 18—it was reported that Germany had taken military possession of Slovakia, extending her encirclement >f Poland. On August 31 Hitler announced sixteen conditions for peace, beginning with the immediate return of Danzig to the Fatherland. No opportunity for the consideration of these

was given to the Poles. Instead German troops entered Poland, and on September 1 Herr Forster, who in contravention of the Danzig Constitution had proclaimed himself head of the Free City, pronounced its incorporation in the Reich. Gdynia was bombarded, and on September 3 Britain and France were at war with Germany. The pact by which Russia chose to share in the fruits of aggression rather than resist it had the effect of disrupting Germany’s anti-Comintern pact with Japan, who declared her neutrality, as did Italy.

To resist the heavily mechanised German armaments Poland, depending largely on cavalry, needed a wet winter to make her bad roads quagmires. She got the driest season, it has been said, for fifty years, and the entry of the Russians, who cut off their eastern retreat to claim their own share of Poland, completed the debacle. In eighteen days the country was conquered. Great Britain got a larger Army across the Channel in shorter time than in the last war, but there has been little fighting on the western front. Siegfried and Maginot walls were accounted too formidable for early assaults; the time was winter; the Germans may haver wanted to augment their petrol supplies before using those up too fast in land warfare. Having got her plunder in Poland, Germany, abetted by Russia, made ft great hid for peace—until the next time. The Allies stood to their pledge to continue the war till they had removed the German grip from both Poland and Czeeho-Slovakia. A blockade was imposed on Germany at full strength from the beginning—in the last war full strength was only reached after three years—and no fear has been caused that the U-boats will not be successfully countered. There has been lively war in the air—satisfactory up to this stage to the Allies—but not on cities, opart from Warsaw, which the Germans did not spare. It was known that the Poles could not retaliate.

Advantage was taken by Russia of a troubled world to press claims for military stations and other concessions, greatly strengthening her position in the Baltic. By Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia they were conceded. Finland refused to make concessions of the same kind, which she held would be threatening to her independence. On December 1 Russia attacked Finland by air, sea, and land, and large forces were massed against the small defendant. In imitation of the German technique a socalled Finnish Government was set up by the invaders, with jurisdiction extending only a few miles from their guns, by which all their demands were conceded. The constitutional Government declared resistance, and while fighting continued appealed to the League of Nations, which strongly condemned Russia’s aggression and declared that, by her actions, she had put herself outside its membership. The disposition of the Russian armies makes a bar to the German southeasWard'majfch,' unless' it is made in concert by Russia and Germany.

In February a conference of all the parties interested, including representatives of the adjoining Arab States, was held in London, to reach a solution of the Palestine question. No agreement was reached, and the British Government issued a White Paper setting forth that it would stand for the establishment within ten years of an independent Palestine State, with Great Britain retaining responsibility for the government of the country during the transitional period.

On March 2 Cardinal Pacelli, Papal Secretary of State, was elected Pope, taking the title of Pins XII.

An outstanding event of the year was the visit paid by the King and Queen t'o Canada and the United States. Their Majesties left Portsmouth on May 6in the Empress of Australia. Owing to fog and ice experienced on the voyage they did not reach Quebec till the 17th. Enthusiastic receptions were given to them everywhere during a journey across Canada and again in Washington and New York, and they arrived home again on June 22. The gracious qualities of their Majesties made a profound impression wherever they went, and the visit to the States was especially timely in confirming bonds of friendship and of understanding such a short time before the outbreak of Great War No. 2.

The year has had its full toll of disasters, only dwarfed by the supreme one of the war. Submarines seemed to be under a “ hoodoo.” On, May 23 the new American underwater boat Squalus sank off Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Thirty-three, men were saved by means of the rescue chamber and brought to the surface, 26 being lost. On June 2 the submarine Thetis failed to rise off Birkenhead during her acceptance trials, and despite all efforts to save her was lost with 99 of her crew and technicians on board, only three escaping. On June 15 the French submarine Phenix, with a crew of 61, sank during exercises off the coast of Indo-China. On August 20 it was reported that 10,000 persons had been drowned in floods at Tientsin, and on December 14 1,000 were killed by an explosion in a cellulose factory at Zarnesti, Transylvania. On December 27 an earthquake in Anatolia was reported to have caused over 8,000 deaths. The war between Japan and China has dragged on throughout the year. In May a Government loan of four and a-half millions was offered to the public of New Zealand. The nominal rate of interest was 4 per cent., and the issue price 96 for stock maturing in 1958, with an offer to redeem at par at any time after May 31, 1954. Alternatively investors were offered stock to mature in 1948 at an issue price of 99. The loan was substantially over-subscribed.

At the end of April the Hon. Walter Nash (Finance Minister) left for London to discuss with the British Government problems connected with the state of the oversea funds, the 17 millions of loan money falling due next month, and defence. On July 21 it was reported that the British Government had

agreed that the facilities of the Exports Credits Guarantee Department be made available to assist in financing imports of United Kingdom origin, and that credits up to £5,000,000 be made available under approved conditions for purchase by the New Zealand Government. Short term export credit facilities up to an amount of £4,000,000 would also be made available under suitable conditions to cover approved exports from the United Kingdom to importers in New Zealand other than the Government, Mr Nash undertook, is circumstances permitted, to do his utmost by relaxation of restrictions to ensure maximum expansion of United Kingdom-New Zealand trade consistently with the maintenance of sound economic conditions in New Zealand and the Government’s obligation to existing industries. He also agreed that licensing would not be used to foster uneconomic industries.

On July 27 were announced the arrangements for the loan conversion. Applications were invited for £16,000,000 New Zealand conversion stock maturing in 1945. New Zealand undertook to provide redemption from funds accruing from export sufficient for instalments of £2,000,000 in 1940 and £3,500,000 each of the four following years. The issue price was £99. Holders of 1940 stock might exchange their holdings, receiving cash payment of £1 per £IOO. The balance of the total of £17,172,000 outstanding was held by New Zealand institutions, and it was announced that other arrangements would be made for its conversion on due date.

After much inconvenience and anxiety caused by the import restrictions the difficulty of the sterling funds, with the advance of the export season ajd higher prices for products, along with remedial measures adopted, promises now to right itself. Hon. P. Fraser went Home, after the outbreak of the war, to confer with the Government on war co-operation, and especially on the great plan for training airmen in Canada. On March 20, its concession having expired, the Dunedin and Kaikorai Tramway Company agreed, after prolonged negotiations, to sell its interests to the City Council for a maxinium price of. £8,500. Transfer of the service took place on May 23. DEATH LIST OF THE YEAR The year has taken its full toll of celebrities and prominent citizens. A great Pope died with the demise of Pius XI. Royalties who have passed away included Princess Louise, fourth daughter of Queen Victoria, King Ghazi of Iraq, and the Gaekwar of Baroda. Mr W. B. Yeats leaves no successor of his own stature as a writer of English poetry, /and other losses to literature have been those of Mr Leonard Merrick (novelist) Dr H. Temperley (historian), Mr Henry Havelock 'Ellis (essayist and sex psychologist), , Mr Llewellyn Powys (novelist), Mr Zkne Grey, and, great in popularity if unappreciated by the exacting, Miss Ethel M. Dell. A great scientist passed away in Dr Sigmund Freud (founder of psycho-analysis), a fine artist in Mr Elioth Gruner, of Australia (born in New Zealand), one of the best known of all archaeologists in Sir William Ramsay, and two men. who did much for afflicted humanity in Dr 0. H. and Dr W. J. Mayo, surgeons, of the Mayo Clinic, U.S.A. Statesmen who have ceased to strive include Mr J. A. Lyons, Prime Minister of Australia, Mr Albert G. Ogilvie, Premier of Tasmania, M. Calinescu, Prime Minister of Rumania (assassinated), Lord Allen of HurtwOod, Sir Philip Sassoon, British First Commissioner of Works, and Lord Howard of Penrith, ex-Ambassador to Washington. To these can he added the names of Sir Henry Deterding (oil magnate), Brigadier-general C. G. Bruce (Himalayan climber), General Sir Tom Bridges, Marshal Wu Pei-fu (Chinese war lord), Commander Frank Wild (Antarctic explorer), and Cardinal Mundelein (Chicago). The New Zealand list includes Dr J. S. Maclaurin (ex-Dominion Analyst), Dr E. Kid Son (Government Meteorologist), Mr E. J. Howard (Chairman of Committees, House of. Representatives), Sir Thomas Wilford and Mr T. Buxton (ex-Ministers), Hon. J. Trevethick, M.L.C., Mr J. S. Dickson, Mr David M'Laren, and Mr Taite Te Tomo (ex-M.Ps.), Dr H. T. J. Thacker (ex-M.P. and ex-mayor of Christchurch), Miss Iris Wilkinson (“Robin Hyde ”), poet and novelist; Sir Edward Chaytor (commanded third South African Contingent and the Mounted Division in Palestine), Rev. J. A. IRyhurn (Presbyterian), Rev. John Paterson (Presbyterian), Sir William Hunt, Mr A. B. Lane (ek-manager, Press Association), Professor Egerton, Mr Robert Ayson (Toiro), Major Norton Francis, Mr W. T. Batana (Maori “ prophet ”). Specially associated with Dunedin were Lady Allen, Miss Winifred Boys-Smith (inaugurated Home Science Chair, Otago University), Mr (R. S. Black (ex-mayor). Dr James Kelly (ex-editor ‘ New Zealand Tablet’), Mr John Moloney, Mr Ernest Harraway, Mr P. Y. Wales, Mr C. W. Rattray, Mr Walter Ibbotson, Mr D. Phillips, Mr A. J. Allen, Dr S. W. Currie (Presbyterian), Mr A. Washer (ex-mayor of Roslyn), Mr James Evans, Mr ■ Leslie D. Mac George, Mr Robert Duncan, Mr James Quaile, Mr William E. Reynods. Mr W. L. Logie, and Mr ■E. T. Moller.