Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE TUESDAY, APRIL 19th., 1938. THE NEXT CHAPTER.

Greymouth Evening Star, 19 April 1938, Page 6

Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE TUESDAY, APRIL 19th., 1938. THE NEXT CHAPTER.

’’J’HE Anglo-Italian agreement is but one chapter in the serial of diplomatic negotiations between European Powers, and, indeed. cannot be sufficient in itself, as both signatories have to take into account the effect of the new pact, on their relations with other countries, friendly or otherwise. Italy early emphasised that she had done nothing -without consulting Germany. For her part, Britain has kept in close touch with France. It is claimed that both Germany and France approve of the Anglo-Italian agreement. So, | too, apparently, does the U.S.A., with which country British foreign policy is designed to cooperate. . The French' Premier and the Foreign Secretary having over-, come for the lime being, a. crisis at home, are to visit London, to! discuss international affairs. The conversations will be important,l but then* is no suggestion that Britain is . . sacrificing French friendship for Italian goodwill. The Anglo-French understanding is strongly established, each Power realising the value of co-opera- 1 tion. The British navy and the French army, together with the respective aerial forces, make a

combination that commands respect and is the strongest factor,

to-day, for the preservation of de-

mocratic liberties. King George and Queen Elizabeth are to visit France, in June, when there are certain to be demonstrative scenes of welcome. The Royal visit, would not have been arranged had there been any misgivings about the solidarity of Anglo-French relations.

One question of concern is how Germany will respond to rhe latest developments. Britain is keen on securing a Four-Power Pact, to include Germany, but at the moment, Anglo-German relations are not cordial, following Hitler’s seizure of Austria. The method rather than the action itself is what Britain condemned, ami there are fears that similar aggression may be fried against other neighbours of Germany. Czechoslovakia, Poland, and Denmark are among the lands anxious about the future, ami it is significant that Polish-Italian relations are becoming unusually friendly. Hitler’s resolve to ‘‘protect” all Germans outside Germany, gives him an excuse to interfere whenever he thinks the occasion is opportune.

It is difficult to know just what German foreign policy is. apart from the blunt fact that she wants all her demands granted, but it is stated on good authority that generally, the German standpoint to present day problems is as follows: —(1) No return to Geneva or to the method of collective security. (2) Mistrust of political and economic conferences of any kind. (3) An increasingly emphatic demand for colohial possessions. “the only subject of dispute between Germany and England.” (4) The repudiation by Germany 'if any form of political bargaining between States. Germany will offer nothing in exchange for her demand for colonies. (5) Germany. in collaboration with Italy and Japan, will continue to oppose “Bolshevik destructiveness.” (6)

The general rights of the selfdetermination of peoples beyond (lie frontier must be respected, since they framed one of President Wilson’s 14 points, and were Ihus the basis of the 1918 Armistice. This outline does not make it appear that negotiations to bring Germany into the European peace-fold, will be easy.