The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.) MONDAY, MAY 1, 1939. UNRELIEVED.

Hokitika Guardian, 1 May 1939, Page 4

The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.) MONDAY, MAY 1, 1939. UNRELIEVED.

Although the speech pf. Herr- Hitler on Friday exceeded two hours in duration, it. cannot be said to have relieved the tension in \ Europe. It was evident nevertheless, that the happenings among the democratic countries have had an effect in seriously..impressing, the Euhrer of the opposition allied against him. He used that result as evidence of the desire to encircle Germany, and stressed that in such a way as to make the nation understand the danger involved. The denouncing of the treaties with Britain and Poland were the result of the two nations being in consort, and the action was intended., doubtless to impress the nations that the two countries were in league ." against Germany. All this notwithstanding Britain’s declaration of the 'reason help had been promised Poland if subjected to aggression by another nation. From the general remarks of Herr Hitler it can be realised he recognises the strength of Great Britain, but it can hardly be thought he has any reason to be afraid of Poland as an enemy. He again advanced his claims on the Polish nation, and there lias been a prompt refusal by the Government. it may be that is still a dangerous zone. and the frontiers on both sides will be watched closely. As to the appeal by President Roosevelt, the direct question is completely ignored, but there was the effort to turn tlie tables against the United States, with blame for the conditions of the Peace Treaty. On that score * Germany through Herr Hitler has breached the terms of the treaty badly. Unfortunately for himself in "bis published book, he has outlined what Germany was to do with the treaty, and his policy has been to fulfil the plan. He has done very well in that respect, and but for the present check would Have gone on with his aggression work. It is clear to most nations now since the tearing up of the Munich Agreement, and the annexation of Czechoslovakia, despite the pledged word, that treaties or pacts with Herr Hitler are of little value unless the strength is retained to maintain them. Such appears to be the stage now reached. The democracies must remain strong to hold Herr Hitler and his programme in check, or the balance of power in Europe will be upset, and a ruthless enemy will gain control. It would appear that small nations now recognise the position. Yugoslavia has not been cajoled into the axis group, but is retaining neutrality. If Turkey and Russia finally join with Britain, France, and the other Balkan Powers, the position will he stabilised, hut the future still remains gloomy bv the need for standing armies and defence measures to hold the peace. Tt will he a costly process' lending to the ruination of some of the nations. It would appear that the peace loving nations must establish a protectorate for the world after the fashion of a real League of Nations. Till that is done with a strong force to ensure international law and order, the position will continue clouded and uncertain.

Tub Archbishop ol' York, Dr. Temple, commending the work of the English Youth Hostels’ Association, stated recently that the movement was one of the manifestations of the activity of the younger generation in the present period of history. There was no doubt that youth had got a consciousness of its own point of view in a much greater degree than had usually been observable, and the outlook of youth upon the world was one of the most important factors in toe shaping of the course of events in the ensuing quarter of a century or so. Apparently it seemed to be true that the younger part of the population had a capacity both for blank pessimism and for 1 ardent hope far beyond that of any other section, and it was of supreme importance that, by some means or other, it should be the element of hope rather than that of pessimism which iook possession of them. Everything in their hostels’ association was of the eager, forward outlook'which contrasted with the blank despair that settled down on most generous-heart-ed young people when they first became aware of the condition the w r orld was in. Anger urns all right, but despair was all wrong. There had always been plenty in the world at which people when they first became acquainted with it ought to be fiercely indignant. Some of them in the sordidness and drabness of the world tended to necome blase and lose «|he poignancy of indignant feeling wfifch onc e possessed them. Tt was important that each generation" should revive that indignation.