Poverty Bay Herald PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING GISBORNE, TUESDAY, JAN. 8, 1935. THE ROME CONVERSATIONS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 18598, 8 January 1935, Page 6

Poverty Bay Herald PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING GISBORNE, TUESDAY, JAN. 8, 1935. THE ROME CONVERSATIONS

Tin; W\v Vc:h' !ia j opened wo]], for tiio international outlook lias certainly been brightened as the result of the conversations at Rome between M. Laval, 'French Foreign Minister, and Signor Mussolini. These, in the first place, have tended to remove possible causes of friction between France and [tale, and there appears to have been a generous give and tale in the ad just men i of boundaries of the African

possessions of the respectin' Rowers. The main purpose of the conversations. however, was to make some tangible contribution to the cause of European peace. Here is a picture of present day conditions as present mi hv a special correspondent of the London Times: “A journey .across Europe to-day gives cumulative evidence of the sieadv deterioration in international relationships .which tin present uncertainly is causing. The

packer! international expresses of former years have dwindled to small haJf-eie pi y trains. There are tar fewer travellers, but far more officialsto inspect them and their belongings. Everywhere are suspicions and mistrust. restrictions which continually breed new restrictions, an underlying note of mass hysteria, and fear bred of pres s censorship, rumors, artificial lv stimulated national emotions, and

military preparations. The common people survey the smoking chimneys of the armament factories and the increasing numbers of marching men.’’

The key to the situation is Austria. 1; is the Nazi determination to win over Austria and ultimately to create a Germanic “Middle Europe,” with 100,000,000 people and no one knows how many million soldiers that is the disturbing factor. Behind all the shifts and manoeuvres of European diplomacy, behind little Belgium’s decision to fortify her eastern frontiers, behind Poland’s conscription of men and women and boys and girls for military service—behind all this lurks the fear of a rearmed Germany, able and ready to fight again for the domination of Central Europe. That the National-Socialist policy definitely aims to gain control of Austria may he taken from the statement of Dr. Frick, Reich Minister of the .Interior, to the Austrian Minister in Berlin. “We. have taken up the, struggle,” lie said, “and you will in the course of your duties have realised that we uncompromisingly carry through any struggle that wo begin. You may also be persuaded-—and I speak in complete .accord with my Leader —that the struggle too will be brought to a finish, much as it pains our German hearts.” ft is because of the fear and suspicion of-Germany in this matter that Italy and France have got together and come to an agreement whereby they will consult each other in the event of interference in Austria’s independence. , It was only Dalian military readiness and prompt action in July last that prevented the absorption of that country by Germany, and now with" French co-opera-tion there seems good prospect that the integrity of Austria will be preserved. The Franco-Ttalian agreement leaves it open for other European countries, including Germany, to sign a pact undertaking not In interfere with each other’s national affairs, not to initiate 'aggression, and not to countenance terrorism, and if it should prove to be the fnrerunnei of international collaboration as suggested a great deal will have been nc complished inwards maintenance of peace and the removal of the fears and suspicions which have militated so greatly against the world’s economic recovery.