THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 1934 PROBLEMS IN THE SAAR

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21993, 27 December 1934, Page 8

THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 1934 PROBLEMS IN THE SAAR

Less than three weeks ahead is the plebiscite in the Saar on the political future of the region. Is it to go back to Germany or to be annexed by France or to be still under the wing of the League of Nations? These are the ' questions for the vote. They are not the only questions just now troubling many minds intent on the Saar, but they come first because of the decision to seek a local answer to them and because that answer is to be given before anything further is done. For fifteen years France has been in' virtual possession—not as ruler of the territory but as owner, for the time being, of its coalmines. "As compensation for the destruction of the coalmines in the north of France and as part payment toward the total reparation due from Germany for the damage resulting from the war," so runs part of the relevant article of the peace treaty, "Germany cedes to France in full and absolute possession, with exclusive rights of exploitation, unencumbered and free from all debts and charges of any kind, the coalmines situated in the Saar Basin." This has meant the unimpeded entry of France for the purpose named, but the government has been in the hands of an international commission appointed by the League. Under this arrangement, which was carefully made, the economic rights of France for the period and the inherent rights of the Saarlanders to express their ultimate choice of national allegiance have been kept intact. In the interval both interests have been served; the conditions laid down and honoured have provided for reasonable exercise of the French rights and for due safeguarding of such Saarlander rights as religious and educational liberty. Now the time has come for a decision, and the international force sent to aid the Governing Commission in keeping order during the crucial time, so that the vote shall have "freedom, secrecy and trustworthiness," is present to ensure thiß desirable end. But the voting will by no means settle all the questions that have arisen and may arise.

It will not necessarily settle the Saar's political future. The League is to decide on the sovereignty under which the territory is to be placed. It is to take into account the wishes of the inhabitants as expressed by the voting. Germany agreed to this, renouncing her sovereignty in favour of the League. The vote, it was seen, might not be decisive; the majority in approval of any of the three courses might be so narrow that treatment of the territory in close accordance with it would create trouble. There is an increased risk of that, because of a division of opinion and feeling so sharp, particularly at the impact of Nazi influence emanating from Germany, that to hand the region over to either France or Germany would, it is now certain, arouse opposition. There seems to be no likelihood of a majority in favour of France. Official French statements accept this position. Nevertheless, a return to Germany would raise certain questions in an acute form. There is a possibility of the League's deciding on partition, as in the case of Upper Silesia. The wording of the so-called "Saar Statute" in the treaty distinctly allows for this. Voting is to be by groups of communes, and in the event of there being a conflict of local desires an outcome of divided allegiance cannot be viewed without grave apprehension. The Nazi cry has been "Not a kilometer, riot a millimeter, of German soil!" —in token of an implacable demand that the whole of the territory shall be handed back. Even a continuance of the status quo for any portion will not be acceptable. If this issue wins at the polls, Nazi Germany cannot be trusted to abide quietly by the League's decision to implement it. On the other hand, there is reason to fear that a vote clearly favouring Germany, and followed by a League decision in accordance therewith, would be read in Germany as a vindication of Hitlerism and lead to victimisation, probably violent, of non-Nazi minorities. The vote, then, cannot be regarded as a sure way out of all trouble.

A further question will have to be faced should the vote lead to repossession by Germany, even in part. The mines will then have to be bought back from France. "If the League of Nations decides in favour of the union of the whole or part of the territory of the Saar Basin with Germany," says the treaty, "France's rights of ownership in the mines situated in such part of the territory will be repurchased by Germany in their entirety at a price payable in gold." Arrangements arc provided for the fixing of the price, and the proceeds are to be accounted as part of the reparation

due by Germany. In connection with this arrangement other questions will arise, relating to quotas of coal afterwards to be exported by the Saar to France and the prices to be paid. The economic settlement, therefore, is not likely to be any easier than the political settlement. Germany has chafed under the treaty's disposal of the Saar's mines and the attendant loss of the territory for a period. Resentment is not likely to die, supposing a decision to hand the territory back, for the questions slill awaiting answer have aspects highly controversial and intimately related to German susceptibilities. At the time of the treaty the French and the German Governments agreed to the plebiscite and to arrangements for the amicable settlement, of questions arising in connection with it, even questions arising subsequently. "Rut that was long before Hitler's policy had made Germany as rabidly national as it is to-day. He has proceeded to make the Saar a cause of bitter and ruthless quarrel. The vote may be taken without serious difficulty, thanks to the international action shared by various Powers eager to serve the League, but there will be much need for patient firmness as well as wise thought after the plebiscite is written into history.