Nelson Evening Mail WEDNESDAY, MAY 10, 1939 WILL MEDIATION SUCCEED?

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 10 May 1939, Page 4

Nelson Evening Mail WEDNESDAY, MAY 10, 1939 WILL MEDIATION SUCCEED?

ALT HOUGH the international ' o groups in Europe are well-defined j g up to a certain point, there is still e uncertainty regarding the attitude ; of the Soviet. It would appear, 1 e however, that an understanding is i being, or has been, arrived at in ,e the case of Russia and Turkey, beii- tween whom there has sprung into existence” a community of views ‘ and aspirations.” Turkey has just accepted a large sum in credits I from Germany for industrial and j military purposes, but she is also | under heavy financial obligations EE to Britain with whom her relations EE have become increasingly cordial in the years that have passed since E the Great War-. Several friendly h™ treaties of mutual value have been E entered into between Britain and l~ Turkey and Russia and Turkey in E comparatively recent years and » have been duly honoured. Tur- ~ key’s position from the strategic EE point of view is of great import- — ance. It is therefore satisfactory E to read in to-day’s cables—after = a reiteration of the statement that E Britain and France have declared jjE their fullest help will be immediE ately forthcoming in the event of E any threat to the independence of Poland, Rumania or Greece being E resisted by force—that “the dis-

cussions which are still proceeding ' in Ankara have revealed the full- ' est understanding between Britain and Turkey.” An early announcement in this connection is expected. Meanwhile negotiations between Russia and Britain continue and the Soviet is stated to be pushing ahead with its military : preparedness. The Scandinavian Ministers have rejected Germany’s non-aggression Pact offer which, it was reported yesterday had been made to Sweden, Norway, Finland and Denmark. No doubt the reason was, as foreshadowed, | that such an agreement would be contrary to their policy of ityReports that His Holiness the Pope has been moving in the direction of endeavouring to secure a solution of the GermanPolish dispute are confirmed today. These have been of a somewhat conflicting nature in detail but that His Holiness is acting with the object of bringing about mediation is made clear. An early report indicated the possibility of a conference of interested Powers at the Vatican, but France was lukewarm, contending that normal diplomatic channels are still open. That apparently is the view taken by the Pope who believes that more could be accomplished | through diplomatic channels than by a conference, and it is understood he is prepared to act as mediator if requested. Herr Hitler is reported to be not antagonistic to suggested mediation between Germany and Poland. He would not be at all likely to favour the holding of a conference for he has on more than one occasion indicated his disbelief in or aversion to large round-the-table conferences. While repeatedly professing a desire for peace, Herr Flitler with the aid of the mailed fist has demonstrated that his idea of peace is one arrived at on his own terms which, as in the case of his fellow Dictator, have included territorial aggrandisement at the expense of weaker nations. In these protestations of peace the German Foreign Minister (Herr von Ribbentrop) now comes to the support of the Fuhrer. Announcing the proposed German-Italo military pact and stressing the solidarity of the Axis, the Minister said: ‘‘The Democracies may note that the friendship between Signor Mussolini and Herr Hitler is indestructible. They and their peoples want peace.” and later, “Both want peace, but if the Democracies will not leave us in peace. Flerr Hitler and Signor Mussolini will be invincible.” Then in ironic contrast we are told of intensive measures being taken “to put Italy’s forces in a state of entire readiness,” of German propaganda in Poland, and of reports of alleged terrorism in the Polish Corridor. The tone used in the inspired German Press is stated to be identical to that used towards Czechoslovakia last year. The Dictator-proponents of peace continue to resort to bullying methods. If the issue of Peace or War rested with the Democracies, there would be no war. The world will pray for the success of the mediatory efforts of His Holiness the Pope. But defensive preparations to combat aggression are still essential.