WORLD AFFAIRS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 13 April 1939, Page 2

WORLD AFFAIRS

SITUATION IN EUROPE RECENT EVENTS REVIEWED THE GERMAN TECHNIQUE RECORD OF BROKEN PROMISES “We are to-day realising what I think vc should have realised two or three year* igo, that wc are rapidly reaching another 1914,” said Mr L. K. Muuro, in an adhess on the international situation, deivered at the annual meeting of the Royal Empire Society. The president. Dr E. H B. Milaom, presided (report* the “New Zealand Herald'). “It is an extraordinary thing to my mind, that, having regard to the mentality of the Nazi Party and it* antecedents, w« did not realise long ago where events in Europe were leading us,” said Mr Munro. There wer some, he added, who :laimed that the British Government had realised the gravity of the situation. MR CHAMBERLAIN AND MUNICH There was the fiercest possible controversy centred on Mr Chamberlain's policy. It had to be remembered that Mr Chamberlain was a man 70 years of age and that up to a few years ago he took no active part in foreign politics. It also had to be remembered that he was dealing with two dictator* who had the strength and concentration of totalitarian States behind them and both of whom knew no scruples whatever. “The virtue of the Munich agreement was that it saved us from war at the time,” Mr Munro continued. “Whether on a long range view it was only a postponement until a time when we are better prepared will probablfy be a matter of controversy in history. Hitler must have convinced Mr Chamberlain of hi* sincerity a*i the time, when he said he had no further territorial demands to make in Europe. Prior to that Germany had a record of broken promises, but Hitler s promises at Munich must have been regarded as of some value by Mr Chamberlain.” MORE SERIOUS DEVELOPMENTS Not many weeks ago Mr Chamberlain had deplored alarmist talk in Europe, said th*s speaker. President Roosevelt said he had information at his disposal that very grave events were coming in Europe. Vis- | count Halifax asked the new spapers not to be alarmist. Mr Roosevelt was right. Last week there wag the alarming situation, the effects of which people wer now considering. On Wednesday night, after the annexation of the Czechs, Mr Chamberlain said he did not wish to associate himself with any charges of breaches of faith that were being bandied about. On Friday night at Birmingham he had changed and realised that Hitler could no longer be trusted. “You can see that in the first instance Mr Chamberlain should have realised long age thao Hitler could not be trusted,” said Mr Munro. “Where Germany gained was in the speed with which she could, and still can, \ replace aeroplanes,” he continued. “So far | a > her army is concerned it is perhaps true to say that the French army is still the I most formidable in Europe. As a result of Munich France became isolated, except [from Britain. Help from Czechoslovakia had definitely gone and as far as Russia | was concerned she could little rely on the j West. A QUESTION OF TIME “France was also weak because of Spain. I feel there is not a great deal to be Isai.i for either the Nationalists of the Left in Spain, but the Nationalist Spain must continue to be influenced by Germany and Italy. It is in time of war that they may be able to use certain bases in Spain.” No amount or use of words would gain- , say the fact that the seizure of Bohemia wa g an act of unparalleled and wanton aggression, said Mr Muuro. The wellknown German technique could now be recognised. Germany said she had no hostile intentions towards a country She then proceded in that country to encourage certain subversive elements and asked the leader of the country to come to Berlin. The leader accepted the invitation and then announced he wanted the German Reich to protect his country. It was only a question of time, after certain other pre- | liminaries, that Ukrania would be attack, lei. as long a* the Western Powers kept j talking.”