Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 23, 1939. CRITICAL DAYS.

Greymouth Evening Star, 23 August 1939, Page 6

Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 23, 1939. CRITICAL DAYS.

“PCIIOES of rolling gunwheels and marching men, is a significant description of the present condit ions in Central Europe, and fears are increasing, that at any moment the guns may speak, and that peace may receive a deathblow. The German propaganda organisation continues to put in its deadly work, while German troops are reported to be massing on the Polish frontier. Ostensibly, these military movements are in the nature of ordinary manoeuvres, but there is every indication, that the Fuehrer has sinister motives. It may be that the latest developments are part of the “war of nerves.” and are calculated to bring about a bloodless concpiest of Danzig, as the result of some dramatic move by Herr Hitler. Strenuous efforts are being made to create the impression that Britain and France will not enter a war on behalf of Poland, in the hope that such an impression will weaken the resolution of the Poles. Danzig, which may be regarded as being partly German already, may not in itself be a sufficient reason for major hostilities, but the real point is that Danzig is merely an instance of the German policy of domination by force, which the democracies have resolved must be resisted at all costs. The history of the past twelve months has shown that, if allowed to take an inch, Germany demands a yard, there being no apparent limit to her ambitions. It is evident that Europe is equally as near to being plunged into warfare at present, if not

nearer, than it was in September last. On that occasion, the Munich Conference resulted in a postponement of the evil day, and Herr Hitler was given a splendid opportunity to prove his sincerity. Subsequent developments have proved that no reliance is to he placed on his assurances of goodwill, (f Hie latter were genuine, there is no doubt that the Danzig problem could be settled on a local basis, but it is seemingly being used to camouflage larger schemes. Any attempt to put these into operation will find Poland ready to fight for her independence, and the nation is reported to be united as never before in the determination to die rather than submit to German domination. The Poles have seen what has happened to the Czechs, and they have drawn the obvious conclusions. What may be described as the “cast-iron.” guarantees given by Britain and France must have had considerable influence in stiffening the Polish attitude, and no effort has been spared by the two Great Powers to stress their intention of carrying the guarantee into effect. German hopes are apparently being centred in the belief that the Poles could be rendered helpless, before assistance arrived, but it should not be forgotten that the democracies have had ample time, since last September, to make arrangements for instant action.

Meetings of the British and French Cabinets indicate the importance attached to the international situation, and it may be taken for granted that every effort, will continue to be made, to avert a conflict. Signor Mussolini has, to the present juncture, been regarded as a force for peace, and a brake upon German ambitions, but the report that he will refuse io act as mediator on the Danzig issue would appear to give reason for the belief that he has been persuaded that Herr Hitler is not prepared /to give up his claims on the Free City and the Polish Corridor. In the event of hostilities, it must be assumed that the Axis Powers will present a solid front. His Holiness the Pope is known to be on the side of peace, and an appeal is also being prepared by the seven signatories to the Oslo Convention, led by Belgium. The German reaction to the proposed conference is not promising, however. while, France is not inclined to give her approval to what is feared would be another Munich. The most important development of Ihe past few days has been the announcement of the non-aggres-sion pact between Germany and Russia, a development which must be regarded as a serious setback for democratic diplomacy. If Herr Hitler really intends to bring about a European “showdown” by force, it is difficult to imagine a. time more favourable than the present. The die must be cast, for peace or war, before - the passing of many more days.