King Country Chronicle Tuesday, October 17, 1933. A WORLD CRISIS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXVII, Issue 4458, 17 October 1933, Page 4

King Country Chronicle Tuesday, October 17, 1933. A WORLD CRISIS.

Described as the gravest situation since 1914, Germany has withdrawn from the League of Nations and the Disarmament Conference. This in effect means a direct challenge to the other three signatories to the Four Power Pact. The terms offered Germany at the Disarmament Conference were not harsh; they were only reasonable when the temper of the Hitlerite regime is considered. These terms were endorsed by Britain, France and the United States, while Italy was inclined to temporise. Hitler gained his ascendancy in Germany by flag-waving, brass bands, and spectacular promises, and it remains to be seen whether he can continue to lead the people on these lines. His latest move cannot bring prosperity or happiness to the people of Germany and will prove disastrous to the rest of the world. Hitler has played on feelings of the people, more especially the younger generation, and it cannot be possible that he has a majority of the German people behind him. Germany should be the best off country in Europe to-day. The reparations have practically been wiped out, while other countries are labouring under the handicap of war debts. Yet Hitler has maintained that ascendancy by violent outbursts against the injuries done to the German people by the peace treaties. It can be asked what would have been the terms of the peace treaty had Germany been victorious in the Great War? A French paper asks whether Britain and Italy will support France in checking Germany's warlike sally. When making such a query the French people should ask themselves whether Britain received just treatment since the close of the war? Had it not been for Britain Germany would have over-run France, but after the armistice was signed the financial burden fell on Britain. Then France sought to pay British bondholders in depreciated currency. Then again, if France had taken the advice of Britain and adopted a more tolerant

attitude towards Germany there might have been no such rule as Hitlerism in Germany. Had France shown more enthusiasm for disarmament some years ago the movement would be further advanced. Nor has the United States played her part in trying to ensure the peace of the world. Had she linked up with the League of Nations from the start that organisation would have been in a better position to make its influence felt in world affairs. The implacable policy of the United States over the war debts has also been a brake on international concord and good feeling.

Germany having decided on a policy of self isolation, it is either a case of drastic measures on the part of the larger Powers of Europe, or allowing her to build up another great war machine that will be a continual menace to the peace of Europe.

The position seems to have created the wildest excitement in Europe, where Germany has again been called the "mad dog." One official opinion is that it is an attempt on the part of Germany for dividing the Great Powers, but German madness will have the opposite effect. The rest of the world knows that Germany was responsible for the world being bathed in blood in 1914-18, and the latest announcement of the Hitler regime will do more than anything else to draw the other nations together. Hitler's statements when making the announcement of Germany's withdrawal from all international obligations would be childish were there not so many vital issues at stake. The German Chancellor said that no one has tried so honestly to help to heal war wounds as has Germany; he also said that the people with fanatical loyalty destroyed enormous quantities of war material in the cause of pacificism. No doubt Hitler was thinking of the sinking of the German fleet at Scapa Flow—a distinct breach of faith on the part of Germany after the Peace Treaty was signed. There was at one time a genuine attempt on the part of Germany to promote international harmony, but the Hitlerites had no hand in this. The time is approaching when the Saar Valley with its vast iron and coal resources should be handed back to Germany, and I this would have been a tremendous help to Germany in her industrial activities. If Germany fails to observe her international treaties, France may object to restore this rich district to Germany and then trouble will start. Meanwhile the world, after striving for years to come to an agreement on naval and military expenditure sees all its work tumble like a pack of cards by the mad administration of Germany's affairs. The outlook cannot be considered as anything but ominous, more especially in view of the uncertain position that prevails in the East. A war in Europe would play right into the hands of Japan.