THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES MONDAY, MARCH 16, 1936. THE EUROPEAN CRISIS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22831, 16 March 1936, Page 8

THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES MONDAY, MARCH 16, 1936. THE EUROPEAN CRISIS

It is perfectly clear that the Council of the League of Nations, meeting in London, will be compelled -to find Germany guilty of very grave treaty violations. What course events will take after that has been done is, however, not at all apparent at the moment, nor does it seem that the gravity of the European crisis has been in any way diminished by the discussions, so far as they have proceeded. M. Flandin and M. Yan Zeeland appear to have put the facts before the Council with restraint and yet with undeniable force. It is particularly reassuring to note that the Belgian statesman, in his report to the Locarno signatories, emphasised a determination to prevent the crisis from becoming “ a step on the road to war.” Only Germany remains silent, but an official intimation of the Government’s attitude will doubtless be forthcoming if her representatives attend future meetings of the Council. An invitation to take part in these meetings has been forwarded to Berlin and, it is believed, will be accepted. It is sufficiently obvious that responsible public opinion in Germany is seriously disturbed by the hostility that Herr Hitler’s defiant gesture has aroused, and by the alarming symptoms of economic instability that are now manifesting themselves internally. It is not difficult to believe what the Morning Post’s correspondent has reported—that if the full truth of Germany’s financial situation were generally known there would be panic throughout the country. Prodigious sums have been spent on ■araaments, and heavy increases of taxation are threatened as an alternative to national bankruptcy. The burdens of office must be weighing heavily on Herr Hitler’s shoulders at this time. Indeed, it might well be that the fate of the regime is in the balance, for the Fnhrer’s domestic affairs present the appearance of being as hopelessly involved as are his relations with foreign Powers. An early adjustment of his external problems would seem to be*imperatively necessary. Relief from the crippling rate of expenditure on armaments can only be secured if agreements ensuring peace are made possible, and Germany lias never needed such relief more urgently. The Berlin correspondent of The Times, in a message which wc print this morning, declares that the general view throughout Germany is that there will he neither a withdrawal from the Rhineland nor any surrender to a show of force. Herr Hitler would surely be exceedingly foolish to persist in such an attitude. The way has been made easy for him to make the “symbolic gesture” of evacuation. It is even stated that the British Government is drafting peace proposals, incorporating all of Herr Hiller’s suggestions, for consideration as soon as a basis of negotiation can he established between the Locarno Powers and Germany. The well-informed Daily Telegraph believes that a majority of the British Cabinet will insist on a “ substantial withdrawal ” of the occupying force as a condition for the opening of negotiations. There is apparently a disposition, on the British side at any rate, to compromise with Herr Hitler to the extent of allowing him his “gesture” in the interests of German “ honour,” provided that it is not supported by a force strong enough to menace French or Belgian security. Whether British influence will be equal to the task o£ making partial withdrawal acceptable to France remains to be scon. It is certain, though, that Herr Hitler’s position would be greatly strengthened if he made an offer in (hose terms.