GERMAN MENACE

Greymouth Evening Star, 12 February 1936, Page 7

GERMAN MENACE

ANXIETY AT WHITEHALL BRITAIN’S RESPONSIBILITY [BY CABLE —PRESS ASSN. —COPYRIGHT,] (Recd. February 12/ 1 p.m.). LONDON, February 11. The “Guardian’s’ 2 diplomatic correspondent says: Government quarters take a most serious view of German re-armament. Though they never regarded it lightly, they did not foresee how all the moral and material resources of the nation would be subordinated to it. It is now thought in London that the British re-armament must be hastened, as a matter of the gravest urgency. The weakness of the collective system makes it necessary that Britain should be able to

repel an attack from the strongest European Powler. Simultaneously, every effort will be made to strength the collective system. . Britain is deeply involved in European affairs- than at any time since the end of. the war. The general opinion at Whitehall seems to be that if Britain remains aloof rom Europe, a general war is inevitable. War may be averted if Britain is sufficiently strong, and also takes an active part in the consolidation of colleative security. Close Britishrelations and the signs of concord'feetween .England and Russia havQWlreaidy Roumania is not the shaky structure it formerly appeared.

Germany is losing a belief she can expand by dealing piecemeal with neighbours, whom she is now realising are parts of a system to which Britain also belongs. This has caused the deepest disappointment to Hitler, whose declared policy has been to detach Britan from Europe. Germany’s foregn policy is likely to become more cautious. The indications are that she will first raise the question of colonies which does not concern raw materials but prestige, but the British official opinion is that Germany has not the slightest chance of recovering a single colony. Germany is also likely to decide the most effective way of recovering the demilitarised zone before the end of the year, as she cannot expand eastwards or towards Austria, until she <has secured her rear by fortifying the demilitarised zone.

MINISTRY OF DEFENCE GOVT. NOT IN FAVOUR RUGBY, February 11. The private member’s bill for the creation of a Ministry of Defence will come up for second . reading in the Commons on Friday. The bill proposes that the Ministry should consist of the principal Secretary of State, who should be president of the Defence' Council, and the Secretary of State and the Under Secretary for each of the three service departments., Admiralty, War Office, and Air Ministry, for purposes connected with the development and mainten aiice of the three fighting services in up-to-date and efficient condition.

The Minister of Defence would be responsible to the Government for proper consideration of all strategical and tactical questions bearing on the defence of the realm and for proper equipment of all arms of the three fighting defence services. Among other provisions, the bill empowers' the Government to appoint such representatives of the Dominions as their Prime Minister may select to sit upon the Council. It is expected that after full discussion of the objects of the bill, it will be withdrawn before a division on the second reading is challenged.. The Cabinet at its weekly meeting, to-morrow will probably decide the attitude which it will assume towards the measure. “The Times” understands that the Government, while they agree that closer co-operation than exist at present are desirable, are convinced that the creation of a special Ministry is impractical.

ITALY AND GERMANY. LONDON, February 11. The possibility of an understanding between Italy and Germany continues to be discussed. The “Daily Mail’s” Paris correspondent emphasises that it is growingclearer daily that Signor Mussolini may be forced by the League’s con tinned hostility, to declare that Italy no longer can guarantee the Locarno Pact, thus enabling Germany to claim that the whole Locarno Treaty has lapsed.- M. Flandin realises the danger, but he is still hopeful that he can manoeuvre to maintain the vital link, with London without estranging Rome. He also is apparently optimistic that there will be some early acceptable settlement between Italy and Abyssinia, enabling the speedy reestablishment of the front. If this is not done, adds the correspondent, there are many who believe that the next move will be some working agreement between Rome and Berlin. The “Daily Mail’s” Rome correspondent says: “It is officially denied that Italy is negotiating any understanding with Germany, and it cannot be doubted that Italy will prefer to keep the Stresa front in existence if possible. Nevertheless, it is asserted that Italy cannot, indefinitely keep up even the appearance of friendship with the nations that are doing their utmost to prevent the successful solution of the conflict between Italy and Abvssinia. The Italians consider that they have been betrayed, and this feeling will probably continue to rankle, long after the East African campaign has finished. The interruption of Italian trade with England and France has already intensified the Italian commercial relations with Germany, and commercial relations are often a forerunner for close political relations. It is declared that the day may' not be far distant when Italy will be obliged to adopt an official policy that is more in keeping with the realities of the present situation.

AUSTRIA’S POSITION. LONDON, February 11. Discussing the future of Central Europe, Prince Starheniberg,' in an exclusive interview with the “Daily Telegraph’s” diplomatic correspondent, said his most serious concern was that the weakening of Italy by the Abyssinian war might disturb the balance of power in Europe. He still feels that the Italian Army consti-

Itutes the only substantial force to J which Austria could look for succour in the case of a German attempt to over-run her. , He said: "Austria to-day is content with its present borders. Its people ask only security against aggression. Our need is for increased confidence among the Danubian peoples, so that we may approach the ideal of a United States of Central Europe. It is for this reason that we resist the Nazi theory of “one race—one fatherland.” That policy would lead to two opposing camps—pan-Germanism versus pan-Slavism—and would in the destruction of xuurope.” Prince, Starhemberg denied that the youth of Austria were strongly proNazi. He said that the young and the older people realise that the Aus- ’ trian can be a good German without being a Nazi. It. was only a certain section, between the ages of 26 and 35, who had Nazi sympathies. They had acquired these views during the years when the newly-founded Austrian Republic was unable to supply all of their wants.