HITLER'S SATELLITES

New Zealand Herald, Volume 78, Issue 24133, 27 November 1941, Page 8

HITLER'S SATELLITES

Hitler has summoned to Berlin the representatives of his satellite Powers. As the supreme leader of the master people, he does not deign to preside over the extension of the Anti-Cornintern Pact but sends Ribbentrop along to represent the majesty of the Reich. The company is very interesting. Italy, of course, was there, and those poor puppets, Bulgaria and Slovakia. Denmark is something of a surprise, and her inclusion must have been intended as a graceful tribute to her quick submission to the Nazi invasion last year. The liberty-loving Danes must think adherence to the pact a sorry business. But perhaps the most interesting signatory is Spain. The Spanish Government has long abandoned neutrality for non-belli-gerency, a term new to international law, and indicating in this instance an earnest hope for a German victory and an eagerness to share in the crumbs from the rich German table. A considerable time ago Colonel Knox estimated that at least a German division was stationed in Spain, whose value to Hitler as an avenue for men and supplies to French North Africa is clear. Vichy France was not honoured by an invitation to the ceremony. Peace has not yet been declared between France and Germany and, in spite of all Petain's abasements since the armistice, he has not earned the right to appear at the council table of those pledged to exterminate Bolshevism. These meetings of Hitler's tributary Powers are like those of Napoleon's princelings, and afe designed to flatter the Germans and impress the subject peoples by the might and pomp of their master. But this showy veneer in Berlin does not conceal the long-drawn-out agony of the winter war in Russia and the sufferings of so many nations dragged at the heel of Hitler.