Nelson Evening Mail WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 1936 THE EUROPEAN CRISIS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 25 March 1936, Page 6

Nelson Evening Mail WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 1936 THE EUROPEAN CRISIS

GENERAL SIR lAN HAMILTON, whoso name is so ..well known to New Zealanders because, of his association with the Gallipoli campaign, recently said, when speaking at the Gordon Highlanders’ dinner in London: “The idea that France and Belgium are in any military danger is fantastic, yet the French and British staffs are to confer. That is how it happened that we fought from 1914 to 1918 entirely under the thumb of France.” There is a great deal of meaning in those heartfelt expressions. In the first place, they foretell Germany’s reluctance to attack the Western Powers, Secondly, they voice the wisdom of Brito’s- freedom from European entanglements. The veteran soldier realises the fact that Germany’s desire for territorial expansion, if it is ever to take place, is more likely to be eastwards than westwards. Until 1918 the Germans certainly hoped to expand at the expense of Belgium and France, and they strenuously strove to carry their project to a successful end. But they failed. Modern arms had given the defence immense advantages, which were not immediately recognised by either side. It had been different in former wars, when Germany and her allies marched westward into France and had taken Paris. There was to be no such occupation of the French capital in 1914, when the Germans'., drove back the British and French armies from Mons, and north-east Franco to the gates of Paris. The two great battles of the Marne definitely ended Germany's hopes of conquest in the west. No one knows that better than Herr Hitler, who has definitely stated his opinion that Germany’s hope of territorial expansion lies eastward, in the fertile and sparselypopulated plains of Russia. It is true

that at the present time Germany is causing anxiety by her military occupation of the demilitarised zone lying between herself and France. There are numerous Continental nations, including France, which are much more concerned with Germany’s defiance of the League of Nations, than is Britain. But Germany is not in a position to march her armies westward of the demilitarised zone, for not only is she bankrupt, in both a financial and an economic sense, but any act of war on her part would bring her into conflict with France and Russia, whose recent pact unites them for the purposes of defence. Herr Hitler is far too wise to commit an act of war which would unite Russia and France against Germany, but, to placate the Nazis, he is making this military demonstration in the Rhineland (which is German territory) in order that, by defying the League, which by virtue of the Versailles Treaty ostensibly controls the Rhineland, he may strengthen their adhesion. Yet there is no denying that by liis action he has disturbed a hornets’ nest. France, Britain, Italy and even Russia, to say nothing of the lesser nations of Europe, are ranged against him, and behind them is the League of Nations. The situation, thus created, lias been described in the press as a crisis, but it is Germany’s crisis, not that of the other Great Powers of Europe. She has set herself in opposition to the League, and has broken its Covenant, which she signed under compulsion, but in order to give herself the blessings of peace. She knows, however, that the Powers of the League have no desire for war, that above all things they wish to maintain peace in Europe. The issue does not rest with Britain, France, Italy, or Russia individually. It rests with the League of Nations, whose Council is in session. It will be for that body to decide what course of action, if any, shall be taken. The initial obstacle was overcome, and there is still reason for hope that a peaceful solution of the problems involved will yet be found.