WORLD OUTLOOK

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23042, 20 May 1938, Page 13

WORLD OUTLOOK

PRESENT-DAY TRENDS

DOMINION'S INTERESTS

GERMANY-JAPAN TREATY

SIR T. WILFORD'S VIEWS

[BT TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] WELLINGTON, Thursday

Italy and Germany are not firm ; friends, in the opinion of Sir Thomas Wilford, former High Commissioner for jCew Zealand in London, who discussed the latest developments in foreign affairs on his return from England in the Mataroa to-day.

"I am satisfied that the interests of Germany and Italy are in no way identical," said Sir Thomas; "in fact, \l would in no way be an exaggeration to say they are opposed. It is accident alon® that has for the time being drawn them together. The Rome-Berlin axis is built, on shifting sands, and I am satisfied that the two countries are not really allies, as we understand the term, nor really friends. "Germany may possibly fight England seme day, but her present interests are eastward and in Central Europe. Hitler's call for Germany Aryan unity is an astute and farseeing political move, for there are 100,000,000 German* in Europe, of which about 60,000,000 are in Gflrmany alone.

Faith in Britain

•It seemed to me that the Btruggle the world over to-day is between the common conception of the corporate State and the democratic conception of personal liberty," added Sir Thomas, "and while England has in the past

secured justice and freedom for the nation, I believe she may yet secure it for the world. "The treaty, between Germany and Japan interests every New Zealander and every Australian, for it is generally believed to include an undertaking by Japan in the event of Germany going to war against France and Great Britain that at the same moment Japan will act in the Pacific. It is, of course, believed by Germany and Japan that no ,naval assistance could be spared by Great Britain for the Pacific if war broke out at Home. "Those at Home who should be able to judge feel that, while America's heart may not have changed toward Britain, nevertheless there has been a .change of head, for reason has taught those in control in America that, the two English-speaking races must stand together if trouble comes. Xnropean Unsteadiness

"In the meantime, peace in Europe is as unsteady as a blanchmange. The treaty between France and Russia ha* temporarily steadied tse Continental boat, but many who should know think that Germany's so-called hatred of Russia is as, unreal as the Loch Ness monster, and one who is widely versed in Germany's mental attitude to Russia tojd me that Germany's hatred of Rtissia is the 'gold brick' sho sells to British visitors.

"The greatest danger to British politics to-day; is the complete absence of any person calculated to inflame, inspire and capture the minds of British youth," said Sir Thomas. "We must be ready to show the world that we can maintain peace, for in that way only will war be prevented, and I repeat what I said in Parliament in 1927 when discussing the Singapore naval case—it is impossible to fight a maneating tiger with a tract."