WAR CLOUDS OVER EUROPE.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 3 July 1936, Page 7

WAR CLOUDS OVER EUROPE.

<By Telegraph-Press Assn .-Copyright) Received Friday, 2 a.m. LONDON, July 2. The Manchester Guardian's Paris correspondent says wellinformed diplomatic quarters believe Germany has approved of the restoration of the Hapsburgs and as a preliminary thereto Dr. Schuschnigg (Austrian, Chancellor) proposed an amnesty in the next few weeks for Socialists and Communists. Dr. Schuschnigg aims at securing German approval for the xestoration, in the hope that if the Hapsburgs are backed by Germany the Little Entente is less likely to mobilise as they previously threatened. Austria -would thus technically remain independent though with a strong German influence. A Geneva message says Yugoslavia has resolved to invade Austria if the Hapsburgs are restored, whereupon Italy will attack Yugoslavia. Britain and Prance are most apprehensive over the situation, «,s neither are willing to be plunged into war on account of the Hapsburgs. They are also disappointed at Dr. Schuschnigg's rejection of a somewhat peremptory Anglo-French invitation to come to Geneva. Force Not Right, Says Blum NEW LANGUAGE TO GERMANY. GENEVA, July 1. Addressing the League Assembly, M. Blum (France) asked to be excused ii' he spoke frankly, and said he fully .realised that France's iniluence in European affairs had waned since heassumed power. The recent strikes £,nd occupation of the Ehineland gave the impression that France was declining, but public opinion was wrong. There was never the slightest possibility of the strikes leading to civil ■war. The occupation of the Rhin eland had been wrongly interpreted as -in j tiieatiiig that France was tolerating anything. On the contrary, France had not mobilised, as she remained loyal to Locarno and the League, but if the soil of France or of those to whom France had obligations were violated France's reply would be different. The strikes should not be taken as a sign of French weakness in face of possible aggression.

The atmosphere nwver before had been so heavy and this was rendered still more oppressive on nccount of the mystery in certain countries regarding re-armament. War was considered to be a definite possibility for the iirst time in eighteen years. The most .alarming symptoms had been the growing impression that countries were ignoring pacts and obligations to gain advantage over those faithful to the Covenant.

"Shall we be able to resist the imccess of tihose who are discarding obligations '{" he asked. "My Government denies that war is a legitimate method of settling international disputes. France wants peace, but will not remain silent before force or recognise victories gained" by force. Covenant Not at Fault. "The League certainly has experienced failure and has proved powerless to stop aggression or end a war of- aggression, but this is not due to faulty drafting of the Covenant, but to uncertain and belated application of it. France will not permit weakening of the League. On the contrary, she is prepared to consider any scheme to' tighten up the Covenant and will not spare any effort to restore international confidence.'' M. Blum concluded With an exhortation to general disarmament by meajis of progressive reduction. M. Blum's speech was disappointing and was regarded, as over-idealistic. He addressed Germany in a language ■which she does not comprehend. M. Blum barely mentioned the Abyssinian problem.

Critical Position in Austria.

If Hapsburgs Return.

NAZI COUP EEARED,

HIGH COMMISSIONER SUMMONED TO GENEVA. Received Thursday, 9.20 p.m. GENEVA, July 2. The League Council decided to discuss Danzig owing to the gravity of the situation. Mr Eden has asked Mr Sean Lester, the High Commissioner at Danzig, to come to Geneva. LONDON, July 2. The Daily Mail's Geneva correspondent says Mr Sean Lester has been summoned to Geneva, ostensibly to explain the incident in which the captain of the German cruiser Leipzig, when visiting Danzig, is reported to have slighted Mr Lester by failing to pay a courtesy call. This coincided with newspaper attacks on Mr Lester, both in Danzig and Berlin newspapers. However, it is suggested there is a more substantial reason for the summons —namely, the tears of an imminent Nazi coup in Danzig. Large concentrations of German forces are reported as occurring on the Eastern frontiers.

The Manchester Guardian's Warsaw correspondent says Mr Lester's sudden summons to Geneva caused consternation in Nazi circles in Danzig, which did not expect so quick a reaction from the League to recent events in the city, which are causing alarm in Poland.

The Kuryer Warzawski says that a sudden, blow at Danzig would endanger Poland's very existence.