Nelson Evening Mail MONDAY, AUGUST 28, 1939 SITUATION STILL TENSE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 28 August 1939, Page 6

Nelson Evening Mail MONDAY, AUGUST 28, 1939 SITUATION STILL TENSE

EFFORTS at appeasement in Europe continue and President Roosevelt has made further appeals both to the German Fuhrer and to the President of Poland. The latter reiterates Poland’s willingness to negotiate but Government newspapers have published inspired articles setting out i the grounds on which Poland j i would go to war. These em- 1 I phasise that the Poles will not acquiesce in any change in the status of Danzig. Through the : British Ambasador, Flerr Hitler is j stated to have submitted proposals to Britain which are said to include the return of Danzig to Germany, a motor highway across the Corridor, the creation of a free port at Danzig for Poland, a German guarantee of Polish frontiers with a ten-years non-aggression Pact, and a stipulation of negotiations with Britain for the return of Germany’s prewar colonies, with a 25-year Anglo-German non-aggression Pact. This report has since been described as unauthorised and “quite inaccurate.” London s Sunday papers express the opinion that there are better prospects of peace, but reiterate British and French determination to honour their obligations. The gravity of the situation is undiminished. It is not reassuring, for instance, to learn that Germany is recalling her nationals from Britain—some are preferring to remain and be interned and that her shipping has been warned to return, or if necessary, seek a neutral port such as in Spain. British troops are said to have landed in France, and British mercantile shipping is now under the Admiralty. From Germany it is reported that mobilisation is proceeding at full speed and there is intensive mili- ' tary activity at Danzig. It is well ' to bear in mind the warning conI tained in a British Official Wireless message that reports giving circumstantial details of happenings should be treated with reserve.

A week ago the international situation was different from what it is to-day. Then, the Dictators of Germany and Italy seemed to stand firmly together, and with them the Mikado's Government had an understanding which enabled Japan’s invasion of China to proceed without danger of interference by Western Powers or America. To-day there are rumours doubting Italy s desire to follow Herr Hitler blindly. Russia’s recently-concluded Pact with Germany has changed the aspect of Europe’s international relationships in so drastic a manner as to make the future of that Continent more uncertain, and more dangerous. By the implementing of that agreement Russia will be able to concentrate with safety her major military strength in the Far East without any fear that she will be attacked by Germany in Europe, and Germany is free to attack Poland, and endeavour to wrest back the Corridor and Danzig, without any fear of interference by Russia. For many years the latter country has had a defensive alliance with France, but that agreement, having served its purpose, has been superseded by a more important agreement between Russia and Germany, which appears to mean that Russia no longer values France’s collaboration, but has transferred her friendship to the Power whose intransigence has disturbed Europe’s tranquillity for quarter of a century. The most important Article of the Treaty seems to be the second, which in part reads as follows: “If one of the contracting Powers becomes the object of warlike action on the part of a third Power, then the other contracting Power will nowise support the third Power.’’ 1 hat is clear and comprehensive. If Germany were to become involved with Poland over the Corridor and Danzig, Russia would not in any way assist Poland: so far as Russia would be concerned the difficulty would be solved without her interference. But the Western Powers assisted in creating Poland. After the Great War was over, Poland was created as she is to-day— a Power with a population of some thirtythree million people—and France and Britain, not only as the maior signatories of the Versailles Treaty, but by recent definite I guarantees are. in great measure

responsible for Poland s in- j dependence. Russia s defection may weaken France’s position, but it does not render it desperate. She still has in Britain a powerful ally whose policies, so far as Europe is concerned, are in many particulars the same as her own. Both are the proponents of J peace, both would oppose any at- i tempt to alter the status quo in Europe, especially so far as Poland is affected; and so far as armaments and finance are concerned they are in a strong position, whereas Germany is reputed to be semi-bankrupt, and, except militarily, hardly in a condition to try prolonged conclusions with the Western Powers over Poland, whose military resources are considerable, and would be used to the fullest extent if the country were attacked. The Anglo-Polish agreement is < framed in such a manner as to , give Poland assurance that if she ! is attacked she will receive from ! Britain “all the support and as- ■ sistance in her power.” So that by attacking Poland the Germans would bring, not only the French (who have a pact with Poland) into the field, but also the British. True, Germany has eliminated Russia, but could she with a halfhearted Italy try conclusions with Poland, France, and Britain, combined, with a hope of success? Then Turkey and Greece are on the side of the Allies and Rumania has undertaken to stand by Poland. Apart from the effect of the Russo-German Pact already mentioned is its effect upon the Anti-Comintern Pact in which Germany, Italy, and Japan were linked in opposition to the spread of Communism by the Soviet. Last week it was announced that 1 Spain, which a few months ago joined the anti-Comintern nations, considered the Pact to no longer exist. Japan was angry with Ger- ! many for entering into a nonaggression Pact with her old enemy and it is cabled that the Japanese Army has formally approved Japan’s denouncement of the Rome-Berlin Axis in favour of isolation. Germans in Tientsin are receiving the bullying treatment from Japanese sentries which was recently meted out to British subjects who are now being treated with respect. Russia is stated to have renewed hostilities against Japan in China and to have strengthened her fleet at Vladivostok. Summed up, the situation in the East has eased for the time being, from Britain’s point of view, but in Europe the outlook remains ominous, though while negotiations are proceeding there is still reason to hope that war will be avoided. Hope, however, again diminishes when a cablegram from Paris advises that it is officially stated that Herr Hitler has rejected the offer of conciliation by M. Daladier, Prime Minister of France. This, it is added, entails a refusal to negotiate with Poland. It may be hoped that it does not mean the end of negotiations through a third Power.