The Grey River Argus FRIDAY, August 25, 1939. IN THE SHADOW OF WAR.

Grey River Argus, 25 August 1939, Page 6

The Grey River Argus FRIDAY, August 25, 1939. IN THE SHADOW OF WAR.

As the week end draws nearer, when the psychological moment is expected to arrive, the seriousness of the European crisis shows no sign of lessening. Yesterday s developments in Europe . were more warlike than those of. any previous day. Four countries, at lesat, were being placed more or lt\ss upon a war footing, though Germany and Poland already had reached that stage, while France and Britain were coming gradually into line. The further that the Soviet-German pact has been disclosed, the more docs it seem to have been framed to facilitate German designs, although it has seriously to be borne in mind that the Italians deny its character is to increase in anywise the danger of war. As against this, the developments in Poland, which is equally with Germany the most vital indicator, point more definitely to the imminence of war, since to-day will see there no fewer than* two millions of men under arms, including halt a million reservists who were yesterday called to the colours. The French, whose Army may be reckoned second in efficiency to none in the world, have taken the most characteristic steps to' prepare lor the worst, a decree having placed at the disposal of the State all property that may be considered necessary in the emergency. It is also reported that the general impression, of 'the French public is that the world is on the brink of another great war, and that this feeling is shared by the foreign diplomats in Paris. In Britain, apart from the War Office call for transport facilities, and the summoning of various reserve classes, a very significant item of news is the Government interdict against the exportation of essential commodities, and particularly the holding up of half a million sterling’s worth of copper and rubber which, on Saturday last, was bought at high prices on account of Germany. Finally, there comes the report that, following on the neutralisation of the Soviet, the German Army, already on the alert, and in the course of being augmented by a midnight mobilisation on Wednesday, is apt at any moment to receive orders to march against the Poles. In the light of all of these preparations, it is not easy to preserve an optimistic outlook, but it has still to be remembered that a great deal of activity is proceeding which is receiving little or no publicity. It is, of course, most probable that the degree of mobilisation in both France and Britain is known only to the General Staffs and the heads of the Gov ernments. If the press, however, had a free hand in reporting these tilings, it can be believed that the picture presented would in that respect be still more alarming than the one which is actually presented. But the press is nevertheless at no pains to allay public fears; rather is its tendency to make the most of everything calculated to create a sensation. It may be that the evident deter mination of France and Britain to stand by their guarantee to Po land will yet make the Germans pause ’ere they precipitate a conflict such that no human intelligence can foresee the end of it. The memory of the last great war remains sufficiently vivid and widespread to make the prospect .of a repetition after only a generation dreadful to contemplate, and it may confidently be concluded that no effort will be spared to avert the catastrophic by all those in high places who have power to intercede or intervene. All of the small Powers of Europe arc on the side of peace, though some are unwilling to risk anything towards that object. Two heartening developments are the reaction of Spain and Japan to the mew situation created by the Soviet’s reversal of policy. Spain has declared herself neutral, and the Axis Powers therefore cannot

count upon any aid from that quarter. Japan, while officially loth to condemn Germany. shows; signs of disappointment, as might have been expected in view of her traditional rivalry with Russia. Thus, should war he averted, the existing situation will develop into one very different from that recently preceding it. However, the main consideration is not the remote, but the immediate future. The next day or two are fraught with momentous possibilities, but all will hope that this may yet prove the darkest hour that pro cedes the dawn.