EUROPEAN SITUATION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22195, 23 February 1934, Page 8

EUROPEAN SITUATION

AUSTRIA THE DANGER POINT MENACE OF , GERMAN NAZIS (Special to Dailt Times.) CHRISTCHURCH, February 22. " Austria is the danger point in Europa to-day, but war will be averted so long as France and England show a determined face against any move on the part of Germany," according to Dr E. P. Remond, of Paris, a student of international affairs, who is on a visit to Christchurch. Dr Remond, in an interview to : day, said that it was'still remembered in France that Prussia had achieved the unity of the German Empire by three successive wars—that against Denmark in 1864, that against Austria in 1866, and that against France in 1870—and if the Nazis attempted to lay their, handa on Austria there would be a great danger of a general European and world, war. Austria occupied the central position in Europe, a position of great strategic value, said Dr Remond, and there was certainly a danger of Germany making an effort to extend her boundaries iu that direction, but it was to be hopud that any decisive move would be averted. Italy would not be anxious to have/ her boundaries shared by Germany, and France and England had recently announced their intention of keeping Austria independent, a decision on which Dr Remond placed great hope. At present it .was fairly certain that Herr Hitler realised the danger of the occupation of Austria, and Dr Remond believed that he would prefer to lie quiet in the meantime. "There is too much talk of war nowadays," added. Dr Retaond. "Germany is rapidly putting her house in order, a« also are most of the other nations, and for this reason. I do not think there will be war for some time."