Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. SATURDAY, MARCH 14th., 1936. EUROPEAN CRISIS.

Greymouth Evening Star, 14 March 1936, Page 6

Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. SATURDAY, MARCH 14th., 1936. EUROPEAN CRISIS.

I ATEST reports indicate little easing in the tension sei up by the German military re-oeeupation of the Rhineland, but it is obvious that the calm stand taken by the British Government has had its effect upon France, discouraging the latter’s tendency to regard the action of Herr Hitler as (‘ailing for drastic reprisals. The immediate demands made by France gave the i alternative to the Locarno Powers, of asking Germany to withdraw I her troops, or, if that request were >

hot complied with, to proceed with the application of Sanctions. According to reports from Berlin, the withdrawal of the forces occupying the Rhineland is out of the question. It can easily be imagined what the effect of Sanctions, if the latter were applied, would be; such an action would probably result in a prompt resort to hostilities, on the part of Germany. It must be admitted, considering Franco-Ger-man antipathy, that Heri’ Hitler s action could not fail to arouse keen resentment in France. To British diplomacy must he given the credit for doing a great deal to avert any precipitate action on the part of

the French. It has been unanimously agreed by the signatories to the Locarno Treaty, that the German reoccupation of the demilitarised zone constitutes a clear violation of the Treaties of Versailles and Locarno, and the situation is now to be considered by the League Council. Herr Hitler insists that the reoccupation is merely a symbol of the re-establishment of German sovereignty in the Rhineland, but, if French estimates are to be taken as accurate, the presence of 90,000 troops in the zone appears to be a great deal more than “symbolic.” If Herr Hitler is really desirous of

preparing the way for a settlement, it is rather surprising that he did not comply with Mr. A. Eden’s suggestion, that the majority of the troops should be withdrawn, at least for a period sufficient to allow negotiations to be conducted. Compliance tvith this appeal would doubtless have been followed by favourable reactions; but, on the contrary, Herr Hitler has declared that absolutely nothing will induce Germany to relinquish the

.sovereignty of the Rhineland, lhe German threat to withdraw the offer of re-entry to the League, unless her proposals are sympathetically considered, is not calculated to evoke the sought-for sympathy, particularly as the offer to re-enter the League was made without conditions. It is regrettable that Herr Hitler has adopted militarist jnethods, by sending troops into the Rhineland, when, at the same time, he is declaring that none desires peace more than Ger-

many. It was hoped, in some quarters, that a way out of the impasse might possibly bo found by inducing France not to ratify her pact with Russia, but the result of Herr Hitler’s policy has been to co-or-dinate French opinion, and the Senate has ratified the pact, by an overwhelming majority. If Germany could be persuaded to evacuate the Rhineland, and thus afford evidence of her sincere desire for peace, then' negotiation of a new treaty would be simplified. On the other hand, if Germany'is obliged, by threat or by force, to withdraw her troops, French apprehension will not be allayed. 4s Mr. Eden has phrased it, “the transition from a bad past to a better future will be an arduous and hazardous enterprise.” It is to be hoped that the meeting of the League Council will result in some definite contribution to a settlement, and that the confidence expressed by M. Flandin, in the ultimate issue of the conversations, will be justified.