OPUNAKE TIMES “Speaks for the District" TUESDAY, AUG 16, 1938. FASCISM SPREADS

Opunake Times, 16 August 1938, Page 2

OPUNAKE TIMES “Speaks for the District" TUESDAY, AUG 16, 1938. FASCISM SPREADS

Switzerland, which not very long ago proclaimed to the world once again its independence ami neutrality, is faced with a spread that causes much anxiety during these troubled days in Europe In Hungary lately there has been a marked accretion to the Fascist strength, which adds to the political tension in Central Europe, and recently the princpality oi Liechtenstein was said to be in danger of absorption by Germany which seems responsible for the growing Fascist movement iu that small place. The seizure of Austria by thei armies of Hen Hitler has altered the political situation in Europe for quite a number of countries. Swiss, people were among the earliest to visualise the probability of German desire embracing thei) land as they saw their frontiers contracted to three Powers, two of them in close alliance uadej Dictators, and in pledging themselves to maintain to the utmost extent their traditional policy of aloofness from foreign quarrels have declared their intention to protect their frontiers without thought of cost. Now strategically important zones are Deing more heavily fortified as an additional precaution. An ominous sign of the times is the development of Fascism which has led lu riots. For Switzerland to become Fascist would be most pleasing to Germany. Leichtenstein, the two centuries old principality and neighbour of Switzerland, has been mentioned in the news because of alleged German designs

on its independence. Its people are of Germanic origin, and lately, though its new ruler, Prince Franz Joseph, has no enthusiasm for Nazism or union with Germany, there has been developed a National Union Party with with strong leanings towards the Nazis of Germany with whom it is seeking closer ties. The fact that the party has received several governmental positions following its successes at the Diet' elections in April last may undoubtedly have emboldened it to make greater cause with Germany. But through their ruler the people of this little Alpine State have expressed noi other desire than to continue living in independence, in close trade olliance with its western neighbour Switzerland, which now appears to be suffering from the same political form of unrest as Liechtenstein, which* has enjoved the friendly protection of Switzerland. Tt may be readily understood why the Swiss people are anxious concerning their future in the light of events and rumours that keep Europe in a state of tension.