WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 29, 1934. WOOING THE SAARLANDERS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22353, 29 August 1934, Page 8

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 29, 1934. WOOING THE SAARLANDERS

Herr Hitler' has commenced the Saar plebiscite campaign, by which it is hoped to persuade the Saarlanders to ‘agree to join the Third Reich, in a manner at once spectacular and conciliatory. The Fiihrer’s speech, so far as may be judged from cabled messages, was a model ardent sincerity and friendliness. The Fatherland, said Herr Hitler, would receive back the Saarlanders as homeeomcrS, forgetting the past, while the religion of the majority of Saar residents, Roman Catholicism, would be protected by the State. Herr Hitler, in fact, said neither, more nor less than might any politician in a similar circumstance, that of wooing a valuable constituency. His pacificatory manner was perhaps somewhat; in contrast with the impressive display of Nazi exuberance which accompanied it, in the form of a half million Nazis imported from Germany to greet him; and by the action of some young Nazi's who attended a simultaneous anti-Nazi demonstration elsewhere in the Saar, and endeavoured to inconvenience the demonstrators with tear-gas bombs. But -Herr Hitler’s pronouncement was in keeping with the official attitude of the German Government towards the Saar plebiscite. In January, by the terms of the Treaty of Versailles, the Saarlanders, having enjoyed the benign administration of the League for fifteen years, are by secret vote to decide whether the Saar is to remain under the League, to revert to Germany, or to unite with France. The two Powers which are vitally interested in the plebiscite, Germany and France, have given their undertakings to abstain from pressure of any kind which-might affect the voting; to avoid “ any proceedings, reprisals, or discriminations ” against persons because of their political attitude towards the plebiscite; and to take all necessary steps to prevent, or to punish, any attitude by their nationals contrary to these undertakings. The settlement has been described in both France, and Germany as “ miraculous,” and so indeed it might be were it possible for the League, or any other authority, to ensure absolutely that it' would be entirely respected. There is the difficulty; a difficulty so grave that the Saar question- is regarded, as one of the most dangerous in Europe to-day, France may be expected, whatever the result of the plebiscite, to observe her pledges. There has been little possibility that the Saarlanders would decide on union with France, and a decision to retain the status quo would satisfy that nation. But Germany is fully determined to contrive the return of the Saar to the Reich. Whether the

safeguards, both before and after the plebiscite is taken, are adequate to pre-. vent undue influence being exerted on Saarlanders who are opposed to union, with Germany is a question that is widely canvassed in English exchanges., The Hitler Government has, in a short space of time, achieved a distinctly unfortunate reputation for its methods, with minorities. Presumably the League will be able, with the resources at its disposal, to assure, that the campaign prior to thg plebiscite is conducted by all parties with substantial respect to the agreements that have been made. . It. is to be hoped that the plebiscite itself may be taken. in an orderly manner, though the special correspondent of, the Manchester Guardian expresses, some doubt as to the capacity of the League, Commission to. deal with all-possible contingencies. But after the plebiscite, assuming that the majority of Saarlanders . express a preference for union ; with Germany, can the guarantees. which have been exacted from the German Government be made effective I The: opinion of some i observers is that they cannot, and the treatment by the Nasfls of their own nationals who have shown - disaffection from the regime gives ground for this, apprehension. The Saarlanders themselves are not, of course, free from it. . The Germany to which they are being asked to. return is not the same Germany which they previously knew. The Roman Catholic Church, to .which, it ’/is stated, 70 per cent, of the .Saar population belongs, is, particularly fearful, of the results should the Nazifieation of the Saar be undertaken, as it undoubtedly would in the event of a favourable plebiscite. These considerations may be expected to weigh somewhat heavily -with the Saar population when the plebiscite is held, and it is doubtless Rue to liis appreciation of the rather unsavoury reputation of Nazism that Herr Hitler is roaring so gently, in his campaign. !