MIDDLE EUROPE

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 4 August 1928, Page 11

MIDDLE EUROPE

ENURING a recent visit to Berlin, Dr. k] Bones; Foreign Minister for ‘ Czechov Slovakia, stated that he favoured a

union between Austria and Germany under the condition that such a union should merely form part of a Central European Union. He did not mention the names of the other States, which he considered should be included in such a union, but he indicated that CzezehoSlovakia should certainly be one of them. Incidentally, Dr. Benes disclaimed any hostility towards Hungary or Italy.

Referring to the matter recently, the Brussels correspondent of the London “Daily Telegraph” stated that Dr. Benes had frankly discussed Ihe matter with the Permanent Head of the German Foreign Office, Herr von Schubert. Dr. Benes did not conceal for a moment that he was hostile to such a. development, if confined to Germany.' and Austria only, basing his opposition on- general European considerations, and not on the specific interests of his own country.

“In the first place he urged,” says the correspondent, “that the ‘Anschluss’ would be impossible without a war, which would once more imperil the work of reconstruction now at last happily proceeding in Europe. He also, however, represented that, the absorption of Austria by Germany would revive the old antagonisms between the latter country on the one hand and Great Britain and France on the other, and in that way would also Introduce an element of unrest and anxiety into the European situation.

“His recent experiences in London and Paris were adduced as proofs that in both these capitals Germany is no longer looked upon as a recent enemy, bnt solely as a partner in the grand task of re-erecting the mined economic structure of Europe.

*‘ MID-E[JROPA ’’ PLAN

“In one event, however, Dr. Benes said he would not'raise serious objections to the union of Germany and Austria. If the two States were to coalesce inside a Central European combination that would naturally change altogether the attitude of Czecho-Slovakia towards the ‘ Anschluss. ’

“And, with respect to his plans for Central Europe, the Czech Foreign .Minister was also exceedingly open. He said that, to begin with, he was aiming only at economic combination, but his ultimate object was that eventually a political federation of some kind should follow. Further discussion of this point revealed complete agreement between his views and those of the Wilhelmstrasse. For instance, he declared that, according to his plan, Germany would as a, matter of course, be included in any Central

PROPOSED NEW PACT

DANGEROUS ASPECTS

European Zoilverein (Customs Union) or political union.

“He was also quite as positive in liis assurances that schemes directed against Hungary or Italy were quite remote from his intentions. Indeed, he expressed the confident hope that, acute as might be the existing differences of opinion between his country and Hungary, they would, like those dividing Italy and Serbia, culminate in a peaceful and lasting settlement.” Apparently the Czech Foreign Minister left behind him in both Berlin and Brussels, very agreeable impressions with regard both to his own aspirations and to the general outlook in Europe. England, however, does not appear to share the same optimism, but at the same time is*apparently keenly interested in the outcome of the conversations between Dr. Benes and Herr Schubert. The diplomatic correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph,” who is so placed as to be able to listen to the merest whisper of diplomatic circles in England, said that some of the remarks ascribed to Dr. Benes were “rather startling.”

“The Franco-Czecho-Slovak Pact was especially concluded for the purpose of opposing Austro-German re-union, both diplomatically and by force of arms,,” he writes. “Yet it is stated that Dr. Benes assured Ilerr von Schubert that he personally had no objections to the

‘AnschlusU except that it might precipitate a European war. True, the qualification is such as to reduce the suggested absence of personal objections to a mere phrase, pleasing to Berlin and Vienna.

“What, on the other hand, is novel and might easily become serious is the idea of a Central European Customs Union, which would include the Reich as well as some of the Austrian Succession States, and might even ultimately lead 10 a political federation. France no doubt has always favoured a fresh Danubian Federation, but without Germany. .For, once Germany entered it, she would dominate it economically, and in time politically.

“From a British standpoint such a scheme would be no less objectionable from the economic standpoint. To Italy, however, it would be even more dangerous, both economically and politically. Italy has ever been averse'to a Danubian Federation, even when there was no talk of the Reich’s inclusion. She would be yet more alarmed, and rightly so, at a federation dominated by Germany.

“It may be of interest to recall the rather pointed warning to Dr. Benes conveyed in a leading article in “Le Temps” recently. In this the French semi-official organ intimated that, while the idea of a German-Czeeh rapprochement ought to be sound, it should not lie carried too far.”