Nelson Evening Mail MONDAY. NOVEMBER 15. 1937 GERMANY’S POLICIES IN EUROPE AND AFRICA

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 15 November 1937, Page 4

Nelson Evening Mail MONDAY. NOVEMBER 15. 1937 GERMANY’S POLICIES IN EUROPE AND AFRICA

I NEWS received til the end of last I week indicates that the German Dictator, supported by his strong Nazi following, is likely “to start the long-expected diplomatic offensive for the domination of central and south-eastern Europe, beginning with Austria. Nearly ten years ago Herr Hitler wrote a book which did much to commend him to the German people, and in it he declared that Germany’s territorial expansion should take place in an easterly direction, at the expense of Russia. Now it appears that, following the line of least resistance, he would propose to absorb Austria and perhaps the Balkan countries with a view to establishing Germany’s southern border on the Mediterranean, and that subsequently the Fuhrer may turn his attention to Russia, where, it: has been pointed out by various publicists, there is ample space in which the German race could expand, provided the resistance of the Soviet Government were first overcome, it is supposed that at first any such movement wi 11 be purely diplomatic: which means that the German Dictator will seek to establish diplomatic relations with Austria and the nations of the Balkans as will give Germany untrammelled access to the Mediterranean, so that it may be said of Germany that her northern boundary is the Baltic, and her southern boundary the Mediterranean. Simultaneously it is reported from London that Germany has designs on the Belgian Congo, and that King Leopold of Belgium will shortly visit London for the purpose of securing the assistance of Great Britain in case of emergency. Not long ago it was reported that Germany has secured from Portugal immense territories in West and East Africa. If Germany were successful in her negotiations for securing the Belgian Congo, that territory, added to the ex-Portu-guese territories, would give the German Government a decidedly important stake in Africa, and it would be evident that Germany had once more become an African Power. King Leopold is expected to ask the British Government, “Will Britain intervene in favour of Belgium, if Germany were to ask for Congo territory?’’ That is one of those questions which cannot be answered at this end of the world, but this much may be sa id: th e regions of Africa, held by Great Britain, France, Belgium, and Germany (as lessee of Portuguese territory—if the reported agreement between Germany and Portugal has been completed) are so great that there should be no possibility that they will quarrel over the occupation of their several areas. It would seem that Germany should prove that she has made good use of the territories, which she is reported to have leased from Portugal, before she seeks the acquisition of further African territory. It would appear that King Leopold would seek Great Britain’s assistance in protecting his territorial rights in Africa. Great Britain is pledged to assist Belgium if she is attacked by Germany or France, but it does not appear that the agreement extends to the protection of Belgium’s African territory. Thus it will be seen that both in central and south-eastern Europe and in the middle of Africa Germany’s political leaders appear to be contemplating the acquisition of important territories. What will be the reaction of the British Government? That is what the King of the Belgians desires to know. Will the British Premier and his colleagues assume additional responsibility by undertaking to protect Belgium’s African interjests, or will they consider that ; their vast responsibilities connect|ed with the British Empire debar them from championing Austria and Belgium against aggression, and from protecting the latter’s African territory?