The Grey River Argus MONDAY, August 28, 1939. HITLER’S OFFER.

Grey River Argus, 28 August 1939, Page 6

The Grey River Argus MONDAY, August 28, 1939. HITLER’S OFFER.

"When the East European crisis was being reported in the press cables as having reached its most acute stage, it now transpires that a move had been taken which on Saturday placed a more favourable complexion on the situation. Even when that development was first made generally known, the announcement was accompanied with reports of a rather alarming nature, such as the recall or holdup of shipping, a censorship, and military activity in Britain. Thus, it is only prudent not to repose too optimistic hopes in the news of the favourable move in question. This was the initiative of Herr Hitler in sending for the British Ambassador so that he might convey to his Government a proposal for a settlement of the dispute between Germany, and Poland by means of negotiation. Exactly what terms he offered remains in doubt, and the official British announcement says that, the public meantime ought not to credit unofficial versions. However, there comes from Rome the statement that its main item is the union of Danzig with Germany under conditions assuring Poland of her sea outlet, and a free port at Danzig, while Germany wants a broad highway' across the corridor to East Prussia. If these are the actual proposals, they differ greatly from the demands attributed to Germany since the announcement of her pact with the Soviet. It, would certainly appear that Signor Mussolini had poked a big finger into the pie before Herr Hitler saw the British Ambassador, there coming from Berlin a report that diplomatic circles there believed that Italy, in the event of war, would under certain circumstances, remain neutral. If they did not also exert an effect on the Nazi strategists, the messages which President Roosevelt addressed to Germany and Poland appear to have had at least the effect of spread-eagling the plans of the Nazis to justify their taking military action by representing Poland as aggressive. The Poles hastened to reply 7 that they' were and had been always ready for negotiation with Germany directly, and were also ready to accept mediation. Hence the obligation on-Herr Hitler to show that he was not out to impose by' force his will upon the Poles. But the probability remains that there is a measure of-what is called bluff as sociated with the whole course of events in the crisis, though to infer this is not to say 7 that the danger of Avar is not a real danger. The preparations for this latter have doubtless been genuine, but they have been taken in amanner calculated to exert the maximum moral or mental effect, with an eye to finality being- perhaps reached without recourse to war. The propaganda, especially that on the part of Germany, would strongly suggest this. On the other hand, the guarantee for Poland from France and Britain has proven so solid that it unquestionably 7 must be credited with exerting a greater moral effect than any other single factor, except the solidity of Poland itself. One question must now arise. The answer depends upon the result of the negotiations between Britain and Germany. Have France and Britain, by their more determined stand, called an effective halt to German use of force as a policy's If- so, the pact with the Soviet may be regarded as not entirely an ill wind insofar as it has stiffened the democratic stand. Moreover, in that event, a new alignment of European nations might presently emerge, with Italy oji the western side of it- It is, of

course, too soon to speculate much about this. While the. position in various frontiers indicates very impressively that the situation remains most, serious, there a,re pointers the other way. The money market is one. The longer the threat of war hangs fire the greater should be the chance of some other solution. If Poland, willing as she is to .parley, is reassured of her position, with the retention of corridor and a ten-year pact of non-aggression, which Herr Hitler is stated to offer, the only other question, if rumour is right, would be as to how far Britain and other mandatory Powers might be prepared to go in meeting wishes of tiie Germans regarding their former colonics. It has been stated for Britain that she will not go into this matter until the idea of a resort to force has been removed. The question is why HerrHitler should import this issue into that of Danzig. He might do so either to block an agreement, or, on the other hand, to ensure that an agreement would not leave the colonial question in abeyance indefinitely. The next day or so should settle any doubt pn that point. It has been made plain that if there is to be war, no combatant, will emerge from it without the knowledge that it has been a real war, and that it would not be decided only on one front. The latest press comment in London is stated to represent the prospects of peace as brighter, and Iho heartfelt desire of the world will be that those prospects shall soon be realised.