THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1939 THE CHOICE OF ISLAM

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23505, 16 November 1939, Page 8

THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1939 THE CHOICE OF ISLAM

When the present war comes to an end, it is possible that evidence will be produced demonstrating conclusively just how badly Hitler has been advised by his lieutenants. As a matter of fact, in less than three months of war, that evidence has been steadily accumulating. There is no secret about the fact that for more than a year before the outbreak of hostilities von Ribbentrop counselled his Fuehrer that Great Britain would not fight; his opinions in this respect have been proved to be worthless. Similarly, the German people have been led to believe that the British Empire is so hopelessly decadent that it could not survive even the threat of war; the selfgoverning Dominions and the colonies have already supplied the answer by their decision to stand side by siidei with the Mother Country. Still endeavouring to prove their case by words if not by deeds, the Nazis have sought to foster the idea v that the greater part of the Moslem world, writhing under an intolerable British yoke, would welcome war as an opportunity sent almost from Allah for the assertion of independence. Here again the Germans have misread the British character. Like the Prussians who preceded them, the Nazis, in their attitude toward colonisation, can understand only the rule of fear; they cannot appreciate that the British genius for Empire building is based on good faith and fair dealing. But if the Germans cannot appreciate this fact, there is no such lack of vision among the native races of all tongues and creeds who have learned for themselves, in Empire countries, protectorates and mandated territories, the benefits of British rule. Not least among these peoples are the Moslems, the warriors of the East. Month after month radio propaganda has been dinned into them, but, for all their lack of national unity, they have shown no hesitation in choosing the path of their own destiny. Islam stands firm with the democracies in their fight for freedom and justice. The extent of the Moslem rebuff to Germany ijj mirrored in a message from Rugby, published this morning. Reference is made to the vast sums spent by the Nazi Ministry of Propaganda in its efforts to spread disaffection and revolt among the Mahommedan peoples of the Near East and Middle East and the Moslem reaction is supplied by a quotation from an Arab newspaper. This is the news from Damascus: "Egypt and Irak, Syria, Arabia, Bahrein, the Persian Gulf, Zanzibar, Yemen and the protectorates of Yemen are manifesting their hostility toward Germany. Where are the Arab countries that remain for the German race to incite V' But the solidarity of the Arabs is only one phase of the question. Turkey, once the tyrant of the Moslem world, but now a strong and progressive nation, has resisted the blandishments of Germany and Soviet Russia and stands firmly allied with Britain and France,* Egypt, the new home of the Caliphate, is more closely linked to Britain than at any time in the last 20 yearsj the Mahommedans of India are standing apart from internal political disputes and pledging their undying loyalty to the King-Emperor. Even in Palestine, where, only a few months ago, Jew and Arab engaged in bloody strife, a new spirit is abroad—a spirit of determination to resist any threat of German aggression. Nor is it correct to 'say that the choice of Islam has been dictated by Great Britain. Many people are inclined to forget that the French Empire numbers among its citizens many devout Mahommedans and they, like their fellows under British rule or protection, are satisfied with what they have and fearful of the ruthless rule of a German conqueror. The antagonism of the Moslem world toward Germany has been I gathering in strength from year to year. For one thing, the more virile races am6ng the Mahommedans are intensely individualistic and it is impossible to imagine them ever accepting for long the alien rule of a dictator. This was revealed when Signor Mussolini at one stage sought to put himself forward as the "Protector of Islam." The Arab tribes of Northern Africa would have none of him and their sympathies were given spontaneous and unmistakable expression when, in answer to Italian agitation at the end of last year, the Prime Minister of France, M. Daladier, made his I triumphal tour of Tunisia and J Algeria. Then came the Italian seizure of Albania and instantly there was a closing of the ranks of Islam againsit the Axis Powers. At that stage, in the eyes of the Moslem world, Italy and Germany were one and even Italian neutrality in the present struggle has not succeeded in banishing fear of Germany and determination to resist the traditional line of German penetration from Berlin to Bagdad. But the last straw, as far as the Moslems were concerned, was the Russo-German pact. Mahommedans generally have an intense hatred of Communism, for their faith is such that they cannot even pretend to accept an ideology which is primarily irreligious. And so Germany finds the Moslem world against her. For proof 'of this one has only to recall the speech made a few dayis before the outbreak of war by the Prime Minister of the Punjab, Sir Sikander Hyat Khan. "I guarantee," he said, "that the man-power and resources of the Punjab will be unhesitatingly and ungrudgingly placed at the disposal of Britain and her Allies in the service of our Motherland and for the sacred cause of justice, righteousness and freedom. The Punjabis will rise as one man to fight the enemies of peace." That is the choice of Islam,,