ANGLO-GERMAN INTERCHANGES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23832, 12 June 1939, Page 8

ANGLO-GERMAN INTERCHANGES

Addressing German troops returned from Spain last week Herr Hitler, in that diction of which he is a master, referred to the intervention of Germany and Italy in Spain as an “ ideological co-operation,” and to such views as inspired the westtern democracies to endeavour to circumvent it as “ natural to England which was accustomed to stealing colonies.” It is regrettable to notice that Herr Hitler’s language when he speaks of Great Britain seems to go from bad to worse. This suggests, of course, that the Fuhrer’s temper, always an uncertain quantity, is being sorely tried. He is being forced to realise that the challenge issued by him, all too blatantly, in Europe, has been definitely taken up, that the warning “ so far and no farther ” has been explicitly presented for his consideration. So in speech after speech he rages about “ encirclement,” calling the Western democracies “ war-mongers ” and such other names as express his feelings at the moment. With such encouragement inevitably the Nazi press follows suit for the instruction of the German people. Yet, of course, while the Fuhrer seems to assume without hesitation the prerogative for himself of hurling insults at other countries, he remembers ever and anon to reiterate that the way of Germany and Italy is the way of peace and justice, and that all who would obstruct it are the enemies of peace. Serious argument with Herr Hitler seems indeed to be impossible. His sense of- responsibility does not conform to accepted standards in statesmanship. The personal equation is much in evidence. To the German legionaries back from Spain he said: “ You fought for the fulfilment of my will.” To the latest German allegations, that Britain is planning the destruction of German trade and a great deal more, Mr Chamberlain in answer to a parliamentary question made reply last week in terms of restraint and dignity. The severest thing he said was to express regret that declarations, whether official or otherwise, should be made in Germany which did nothing to create an atmosphere of mutual confidence. Lord Halifax, in a speech in the House of Lords made on the same day, declared: “ So far from wishing to embarrass Germany in the economic field, a really prosperous Germany would be good for all Europe and for us, and, so far from wishing to obstruct a settlement, our one aim is to throw the whole of our weight into the scale oi peaceful settlement.” Respecting the same German allegations Mr Oliver Stanley has offered a reminder of what the Germans themselves did to slam the door upon efforts of the British Government to promote trade improvement through discussions at Berlin. But the statements of Mr Chamberlain and Lord Halifax have been identified by Nazi journals as mere word-spinning and samples of “Pharisaical hypocrisy.” Too plainspoken, perhaps, was Britain’s Foreign Minister in offering for German consumption such a reminder as, “The day has gone by when the independence of European nations can be destroyed by unilateral acts. It is clear that any further attempt to do so will meet with wide and resolute resistance.” The irascibility of Herr Hitler, the allegations against Britain and other ckmociatic Powers revealed in so many of his utterances, will be largely explainable in the challenge issued to his schemes for Germany’s territorial aggrandisement. However perfect may be the Nazi technique of aggression—that of attack from within —which masquerades under various aliases, it is going to be very difficult for Germany’s present leaders to make further advances of moment through its employment. The Fuhrer, though far from being the soul of candour, cannot conceal his annoyance about it.