NORTHERN ADVOCATE DAILY. MONDAY, APRIL 9, 1934. GERMANY AND DISARMAMENT

Northern Advocate, 9 April 1934, Page 4

NORTHERN ADVOCATE DAILY.

MONDAY, APRIL 9, 1934. GERMANY AND DISARMAMENT

Registered for transmission through the post as a Newspaper.

Dr. Karl Bonier, a high Nazi official, speaking on the occasion of his departure from the International Students’ Conference ati Cambridge, said: “Germans do| not want colonies. They do not want war. Germans only want Germany, As for German war aims, they are a myth. War would wreck the German dreams of the rebirth of her people. Moreover, Herr Hitler saw war from the ranks, and there -will never be another war if he is able to prevent it.” This pronouncement of Nazi policy leads to a consideration of vital world issues, •for, as a critic of Dr. JBorner says, the biggest problem today is disarmament, and the biggest obstacle to disarmament is perhaps French intransigence, caused by mistrust of Germany and a profound conviction that the Nazi regime threatens French security. Is t/his mistrust, then, based on a myth? Or is Germany really aggressive? Dr. Bornor puts one side of the case. Another side is seen most provocatively in Dr; Ban sc’s famous book* now . translated under the title, “Germany, Prepare for War.” Div'Ewald Bahse is Professor of . Military Science l at Brunswick . Technical College. Both this' book j and a former manual of his,'entitled Military Science, ’ ’ have . aroused international protest,as a result of which they' have been banned in Germany.' The author’proclaims that “The Third Pei eh,, as we dream of if... .can only be'born in blood and iron..” He regards war as terrible but inevitable, and proceeds to discuss realistically the geographical, economic, and psychological factors of every nation which must determine the strategy of the next war. He even gives a map for the invasion of England and “meditates with pleasure” on its destruction. And Mr Leland Stowe, in “Nazi Germany Means War,” stresses the importance of such teaching as Dr. Banse’s. On the other hand, the Sydney Morning Herald points out that the German Government has not 'only banned this book but strongly condemned it as “senseless babblings.” An experienced observer like Mr Vernon Bartlett is convinced that there is no danger at all of aggression from Germany, and that the marching and drum-beatings of Nazi troops, which have —quite naturally—caused such alarm in France, are only circuses for the people and the exaggeration of youthful revolutionaries. These semi-military troops will -gradually be absorbed into the peaceful ranks of employment, and this phase will pass, as it did in Fascism. The real issue lies, after all. with Herr Hitler. For where he leads, the German people resurgent will follow. And his later utterances, since the ebullitions of “Mein Kampf,” are definilely

for peace, Ho lias pronounced strenuously against the sufferings and chaos of another world war. By signing the Polish Pact, lie has achieved peace in a snhere of danger and friction. By the recent Debt Agreement he has satisfied British and American creditors. He has repeatedly held out the hand of friendship to France, On January 31, the anniversary of the Nazi- regime, “loud and stormy applause” greeted his passionate appeal for recognition of German equality, eonpled with “reconciliation of Hie two great nations who in the last two centuries have so often poured out the ; blood of 'their best sons., on . the battlefield

Without-making any essential alteraticm in the final disposition of the facts. France fears for her security. No one in Germany wants to threaten it. and wo are ready to do anything to prove tliis. Germany demands her equality. No one in the world has the right to refuse this to a great nation, and no one will have the strength to prevent it in the long run.” Unfortunately the only! proof of security France wants is continued disarmament of Germany, which* the latter, on the point of honour, will refuse to accept —unless “the neighbouring countries are willing to carry out the disarmament measures to which they are also bound by the Treaty of Versailles.” 'Britain, of course, is striving for a compromise, even to the point oi raising criticism at home. And “The Times,” in praising the last Memorandum of the British Government, states, “The demand of the Third Reich for equality for what are called defensive purposes is frankly recognised and immediate application is conceded. ’” By the : British plan, G ermany will receive virtual equality in heavy land weapons in seven years and air parity in eight. ' The Italian Memorandum does not differ essentially from the British, and it is hoped that when the Bureau of the Disarmament Conference meets again tomorrow France will compromise further upon her security demands, - which have already been slightly modified. A reconciliation may thus be reached between''the German claim for equality and the French demand for security. If this should not happen,- there is little to hope for but, another armaments race with another world war as the outcome.