EFFECTS OF CRISIS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23515, 1 June 1938, Page 9

EFFECTS OF CRISIS

NEW MOVES PROBABLE LONDON, May 24. Even if the Czechoslovakian crisis happily subsides, the moves already made are likely to have a profound influence on international politics. Italy is understood to have been impressed by the conduct of Britain, France, Russia and Poland, and the hope of an agreement between France and Italy is considered tb be brighter. Secondly, it is feared that Germany may attempt to strengthen her bonds with Japan, and to assist Japan to victory in China, so as to enable Japan to engage Russia in the event of a European war in 1940. Thirdly, it is believed that Germany is likely to strengthen her hold on Spain in order to gain a more gecure hold on Italy, and, at the same time, to create a serious problem for Britain and France, who will possibly be forced to take into account the Germans no less than the Italians in Spain.

Fourthly, Germany may try to keep the Spanish war going as long as possible, because as long as it lasts, it will prevent any genuine Anglo-Italian rapprochement, which would weaken the Rome-Berlin axis. Some observers suggest that Germany is permitting some war material to reach the Spanish Government so that the war will be prolonged. It is argued that if this is regarded as fantastic, it is not more fantastic than the fact that officers of the German Army are, or were until to-day, leading the Chinese, whom, the Japanese fear, are largely guided from Moscow.