The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.) TUESDAY, AUGUST 22, 1939. SLOVAKIA'S FATE.

Hokitika Guardian, 22 August 1939, Page 4

The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.) TUESDAY, AUGUST 22, 1939. SLOVAKIA'S FATE.

The turn of Slovakia lias come in due course. When Czechoslovakia, was occupied by the. subterfuge adopted, the Czechs alone had to- accept the complete occupation of the conqueror. Slovakia was shown grace, and was allowed to carry on—but only temporarily. Now a complete wedge has been driven in by the full occupation, of Slovakia, between the southern part of Poland, and the northern part of . Hungary. Thousands of German troops are Overrunning Slovakia, though on the face of it, there is no occasion to doubt the loyalty of the Slovaks, who in turn have expressed a. desire to obtain a slice of Poland, as well as recover some other territory to the south. It would appear that Germany being baulked with the easy occupation of., Danzig, seeks a diversion to engage the attention of the German nation. Slovakia was at Germany’s heel since the occupation of Prague, so that there is little material gain. , Kven though a definite wedge has been driven home, Germany all along

had the power as well as right to pass . through Slovakia to either Poland or Hungary. In point of fact now, Germany has a long line of troops along tlie. Polish border, and can strike at any selected point. Further north there is said ,to be heavy massing of troops in Silesia, which would be the central pivot of the long line. Germany is thus in strong military posi- ' lion, and could take the choice of several points for onslaught. With so many men under arms a strong attack could he made on Poland’s thinner line, but the French frontier may not be neglected or weakened at the same time, so that after all Germany must divide up her forces. But judging by the talks going on, there is still delay, which suggests differences of opinion as to the actual plan of campaign. The accounts tend to show that Italy is not happy about the situation. In the event of war, Italy would be largely alone, and has so much at stake in the Mediterranean where French and British fleets are so strong, that the odds are rather against Italy. This with the solidarity of Poland, forces Germany to delay, and attempt rather by warlike movements to break down the moral resistance of the Poles. This does not appear likely with Britain and France issuing warnings almost day by day against unprovoked aggression. Germany meantime has made a great gain with the occupation completely of Czechoslovakia. A glance' at the .map shows how the boundaries have extended to overshadow the Balkans, thus affording-a somewhat dominating position . against Hungary, Rumania and Jugoslavia at least. Italy it is stated, has eyes on Jugoslavia, so that there would be differences of opinion in that respect. But -for the present Germany has consolidated the position completely in Czechoslovakia, and has something to show the people, which will serve for the time, and give occupation to the troops. This incident will not remove the danger to Danzig, where the Nazis are growing in * strength. The summer is passing in the i north, and decisive movements must soon transpire if the position is to he ! settled by an open conflict. i