PRESS OPINIONS

Hokitika Guardian, 9 May 1936, Page 6

PRESS OPINIONS

OF WORLD AFFAIRS.

INVASIONS, NOT MUTUAL,

LONDON, April 27

What is meant by France’s counterproposals, to Germany’s is that fortifications will prevent France from invading Germany on behalf of “collective security.” It is quite true that they will for this reason make it easier for Germany -to wage- war in the east, but France does not seem to see the difficulty of saying permanently to Germany (or to England or any other Power): i “We must have fortifications lest you invade uk/yind you must not have - fortificao we should be unable to-in-vadM you.”—-Manchester Guardian (iffral). . ; Mg-. - |jp. TO, PEACE OF EUROPE,.'

If the ’League, in face of Mussolini’s challenge, .should yield, if it should abandon the number it is sworn to protect, if it should condone the ng--gression and agree to reward the aggressor, then its authority is dead. . 'And in. that event, neither •French’' plan nor . German plan, nor any- other plan,, will*-be’ of the least use. ; For-il) the Covenant iuself is to be a “scrap of paper” of wbat worth is any subsidiary and subordinate,pact?

/ At this) moment the key to the peace of Europe lies in Abvssiniai— i)ai 1 y.\ Herald (Labour). )' >">

(ROTTEN” PACT WITH DENMARK, - The B|ick Pact with Denmark ex*- . in |june. English farmers'* dared to hope if would not be renewed.' Now Fjbmes bad news; a new pact, with but -insignificant , concessions)'--lrom >; ‘the Danes. 1 '• J “ . • Trade Under tlie Black Paht benefits Denmark 70 per cent), Britain only 30 per cent. In return, Denmark ohas imposed restrictions on imports ’of British goods) . A fool’s paradise for Britain.—Daily Empress (Independent),

.-NEW CUSTOMS IN OLD SPAIN

//Foreign observers in Spain report /bat. ;the/Socia lists, now growing in strength, are tending more and more towards Communism and are increasng)their, pressure on the Republican Bridie Minister, Senor Azana.’' 0 ' -. ‘ ; --

Spain'is without the restraining'’in--iluenep of a. second Chamber. '•* • '

The future depends therefore large-' -iy on’the attitude of Prime Minister •Azana, who showed himself a strong and'/astilte politician when last be was: in pOwiSh, and is likely now to realise how dangerous are the forces wliiclh threaten the Republic—The Times (Conservative). T ’/'/■'

FOOD IN WAR-AND PEACE

Men become uneasy “over food supplies* in .time of/war”‘ who have never displayed a moment’s uneasiness over /ood supplies in time of peace. Demands for a national food and nutrition policy, based on the general ::ase of public- welfare, have fallen for yearsupon deaf ears. ! . At the mere mention of war, tlioso jars become , remarkably acute/ That millions of pieople do not get ■ en'ougTv food day by peaceful day excites no iiiarm.—Daily Herald (Labour)’. -i

FREE TO DEAL WITH RUSSIA

. These' will be an end to fighting ; in Abyssinia—and over Abyssinia,' too) France will see to that. She : needs Italian support for Austrian independence, iii her eyes now the key; to European peace.' , ’ ’ ' v -‘ ! :;: V In France’s reply to* Hitler’s prapo*sals she insists on all future pacts being based upon the League: Reason —this brings Russia in. That is just what Hitler does, not want. . < • •>'-••* =- A purely Western mutual assistance; oact would leave him free to deal with Russia/' / . On one point Germany.-iiaUd '.France: Enchfwtmts todrag in Britain. (Express (Indepe^deiitß*-..-'