The Hawera Star WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1935. EUROPEAN TENSION RELIEVED.

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 27 February 1935, Page 6

The Hawera Star

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1935. EUROPEAN TENSION RELIEVED.

Delivered every evening by 5 o'clock in Hawera, Manaia, Kaupokonui, Otakeho. Oeo, Pibaina, Opunake. Eltham. Ngaere, Mangatoki, Kaponga, Awatuna. Te Kiri, Mahoe, Ijowgarth, Alanutahi, Kakaramea, Alton. Hurleyville, Patea, Wbenua kura, Waverley, Jlokoia, Whakamara. Ohangai, Meremere, Fraser Hoad and Ararata.

The news that the necessary documents have been signed, formally handing the Saar back to the control of Germany, closes an unfortunate episode in the history of international politics. It removes from Europe at least one smouldering casus belli imposed by the Treaty of Versailles and renders the atmosphere of the future loss tense. Viewed from the perspective of sixteen years distance, the Treaty of Versailles is'difficult to understand as a peace making instrument. One can excuse it only on the grounds that it was evolved by representatives of war weary nations at a time when German war guilt was taken for granted. Lloyd George won his 1918 election on the slogan of “Hang the Kaiser,” thereby exhibiting his knowledge of the national mind at that time, but it is doubtful if he ever meant a word of his fiery denunciations. The fact, however, remains that the Saar region, definitely German in its nationality and aspirations, was separated by the Treaty of Versailles from its parent country and placed under the jurisdiction of an international commission. The ostensible reason for this was

ttr errable -Frarrc^-to'develop the eo-al mines which had been absolutely ceded t-o her in part payment for the destruction of French coal mines during the war. No doubt it became necessary to remove German governing influence for the area in order to allow France to explore the mines adequately, but it must be regarded as an unnecessary complication, following in the wake of an unwise arrangement of reparations. Europe can most certainly thank j the international commission, and especially its British chairman, for the wise administration which avoided causes of friction and bloodshed amongst a totally unsympathetic population. It had an extremely difficult job, especially that of conducting, without ' patriotic hysterics, the plebiscite which was to de.cide whether the Saar would revert to Germany, continue under the League of Nations, or declare for French oycrlorclship. It. is difficult to imagine how anything other than an overwhelming majority for Germany was ever visualised. One of the strongest emotions in the human breast is that which centres round the love of country—“lbis is my own, my native land”—and the Saarlanders were no exception to the rule. The world may be thankful that the Treaty of Versailles did not go the “whole hog” in annexing the Saar to France, and thus lay the foundation of another FrancoGerman war.