DRIFTING INTO WAR

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 6 December 1938, Page 7

DRIFTING INTO WAR

INTERNATIONAL TENSION BREAKING POINT NEXT SPRING UNLESS COMPLETE CHANGE OF OUTLOOK VIEWS OF MR O. PIROW p [British Official Wireless] (Received 6th December, 11.5 a.m.) RUGBY. sth December. In a statement made on his return to London after his continental tour Mr O. Pirow, South African Defence Minister, declares: — “Europe is drifting into war—a war which no nation wants but against which every Government is preparing. Unless there is a complete change of outlook within the next month or two international tension will reach breaking point during the spring of next year. The tragedy of the situation is that since the settlement of the Czechoslovakian issue there is no principle at stake which would excuse war, let aJone make it. The inevitable drift to war is caused purely by psychological factors.”

Regarding the refugee problem Mr Pirow expresses the opinion that it is capable of comparatively easy settle* ment if approached in the right spint, and he suggests that an international loan be raised by the countries of origin, but guaranteed by other Great Powers, to provide funds to take the place of the assets the refugees are forbidden to take out with them. But he finds the right spirit is lacking, and thinks the international attitude on the refugees question is symptomatic of a state of mind which is not prepared io make a substantial sacrifice for peace.

“So long as that state of mind persists, the drift to war—a drift which is increasing in momentum —will continue,” he said.

It is understood that Mr Pirow lea vet London on Friday for South Africa.