Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. THURSDAY, AUGUST 24, 1939. HOPES FOR PEACE

Greymouth Evening Star, 24 August 1939, Page 6

Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. THURSDAY, AUGUST 24, 1939. HOPES FOR PEACE

N ow that the first surprise caused by the announcement of the proposed Russo-German non-aggression pact has passed, democratic diplomats are apparently coming to the conclusion that all hope need not yet be abandoned for a peaceful solution of European difficulties. Vatican quarters are reported to see in the pact a possible contribution to peace, while the continuation of the British and French talks in Moscow carries its own inference, lending force to the Soviet argument, to the effect that the agreement with Germany is in no way incompatible with a defensive alliance between Britain, France, and Russia. The jubilation in German official circles may to a large extent be disregarded as typical propaganda, and it still remains to be proved

whether, even with Russia out of the lists, Herr Hitler is rash enough to involve his country in a war which, whatever its outcome, could not fail to be disastrous for all parties. The slogan is still repeated, that Danzig must return to the Reich, but so far the Fuehrer has not disclosed any cards he may hold to bring about such a conclusion. His proposed speech at Tannenburg, on August 27, will be eagerly awaited.

So far as Britain and France are concerned, they are calmly awaiting developments, at the same time taking precautions to meet any possible emergency. The British Parliament has been summoned, but this in itself is not a cause for national alarm, the meeting being for the primary purpose of investing the Government with powers to take measures for emergency use, without further consulting the House. The French Government already possesses such powers, and therefore does not need to summon Parliament. Mr. Chamberlain and Lord Halifax are to make statements in the Commons and Lords, respectively, and it may be expected that these speeches will once more reiterate the British attitude of determination to resist aggression. Meanwhile, the British Government has plainly declared its intention to fulfil the obligations to Poland, in spite of the Russo-German pact, and this declaration has been endorsed by France. Such assurances should do a great deal to counteract the idea, said to be current in Germany, that the Polish guarantors will find it advisable to back down. Poland is reported to have cleared for action, no doubt realising that, if she were to sacrifice Danzig, the Corridor, and Upper Silesia without a struggle, her status as an independent nation would quickly disappear, being replaced by German domination. The promise of “autonomy” is merely another name for the latter.

In the meantime, the “peace front” Powers . are adopting a policy of watchful waiting, pending the result of the negotiations being conducted in Moscow by Herr von Ribbentrop. The bogey of “encirclement” is still being used by the Axis spokesmen, in the endeavour to convince their people that they are menaced by Britain and other Powers. The latter, as has been frequently emphasised, have no desire to restrict legitimate Axis ambitions, but they do wish to “encircle” the avenues for possible aggression. The average German citizen is led to believe that he is being “encircled” to prevent him getting ‘ ‘lebensraum ’’ —‘ ‘living room” —

which figures so prominently in Nazi propaganda, and is persuaded that in the good offices of the Fuehrer lies his hopes for the future. It is questionable whether the Germans as a whole, however, regard war as being in any way justified. As Mr. Chamberlain has said, there are no problems in Europe which are incapable of peaceful solution, given a restoration of international confidence. The question as to whether Herr Hitler really desires a peaceful solution cannot yet be answered. Meanwhile, Europe must remain in a state of nervous tension. Dr. Goebbels has said that “war is least likely when one is armed to the teeth”; in that case, the preparedness of the democratic Powers is a reassuring factor.