Poverty Bay Herald PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING GISBORNE, TUESDAY, MAR. 21, 1939. "IN THE LAST DITCH"

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 19892, 21 March 1939, Page 4

Poverty Bay Herald PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING GISBORNE, TUESDAY, MAR. 21, 1939. "IN THE LAST DITCH"

In the confused situation arising from Hitler's latest coup de main some things are emerging with increasing clarity, but on the other hand the ultimate outcome is as difficult to forecast as ever. Long ago it was said that in the hands of one man, Hitler, lay the power to decree peace or war for the world and to-day that statement can bo repeated with even greater truth, for now. more than ever before, the future trend of events will be for Hitler to determine. Hitherto, the other Powers have been prepared to make generous concessions in an endeavour to eliminate grievances and to give Germany an opportunity to enter the comity of nations. In the sacred name of appeasement much has been conceded, albeit with the reservation that there was a point at which a halt must inevitably be called. Today, that point has been reached and there is evidence on all sides that the democracies are taking steps to call a halt and to use whatever means might he necessary to enforce their will. Hitler's drive to the east is to be stopped and the only remaining question is whether he will pause voluntarily oi' whether he will persist in his challenge to the rest of the world. If he adopts the latter course it will be a case of Greek meets Greek, and then will come the tragedy of war. The views of the democracies have been clearly and plainly stated. Mr. Chamberlain, with his almost peculiar

faith in Hitler's sincerity, has found his illusions sadly shattered. He has been forced to realise and to publicly declare, that Hitler's word has no value and that his signature and his pledges are no more binding than the most slender thread, In the face of these things, the British Prime Minister takes a firm stand and refuses to make any further sacrifices. He is not acting alone. M. Daladier has expressively stated the position when he says, "Now we are in the last ditch; we will hold it to the last man." The Soviet Foreign Minister has been equally emphatic in his condemnation of the action of Germany. The United States, although still refusing to be involved in European affairs, has been more outspoken than ever before and has made clear that she will take any action short of war to check German aggression. Hungary, Rumania, and Poland have also declared unequivocally where they stand. In short, Germany can now move no further without encountering armed opposition ,and not merely the opposition of one State but that of the greatest combination in the world. For her part she can look for support only from Italy and the question thai Hitler has to answer is whether he dare risk war against such a strong and united opposition.

Mr. Chamberlain has epitomised the position by his question: "Is this the end of an old adventure or the beginning of a new?" While it may be impossible to find excuses for the methods that Hitler has adopted or to pardon his flagrant breaches of his pledged word, the fact remains that up to the present there has been some reason behind the efforts to weld the Teutonic races of Europe and to merge them in the greater Reich. If that is the end of Hitler's ambitions all may yet be well, for there could be neither rhyme nor reason behind any attempt at further expansion; he could give no valid excuse for seeking to give his "protection" to Rumania, Poland, or Hungary. If, on the other hand the annexation of Czechoslovakia is intended merely to pave the road to further advances, if it is the beginning of a new adventure, then the clash must come and nothing will be gained by seeking to avoid it through further compromise and concession. To repeat M. Daladier's words, "We are in the last ditch." Unless Germany is prepared to abandon her policy of expansion and aggression then she must be checked by all the force that the peace-loving nations can command. For all practical purposes,, the prewar status in Europe has been restored and it remains for Germany to say whether the history of 1914 is to be repeated.

It is not necessary at this stage to endeavour to assess the strength of the respective forces, but there are two factors which might well be borne in mind. The first is that Germany's recent conquests have not necessarily strengthened her hand. It is true that she has secured the mastery of increased territory but it remains to be seen how far she has subjugated the peoples directly concerned. The Nazi regime has created a strong underground force in Germany itself and each advance that has been made has increased the discontented and aggrieved minorities within the Reich and these must be a potential source of serious internal unrest and opposition. The second point that cannot be overlooked is Germany's seriously weakened financial and economic position. Her military activities of recent years have almost paralysed her internal position and, however strong her forces might be, it is abundantly plain that her resources cannot compare with those of the nations who would be arrayed against her. In these circumstances it may be doubted whether Germany will resort to war except as a last desperate expedient, but even if Hitler decides for peace the problems of Europe will not be ended because there will always be that element of uncertainty which must hinder the economic recovery which the world so sorely needs. In view of this fact the question then arises as to whether the correct policy is not for the rest of the world to proceed with the economic encirclement of Germany and to enforce upon her a line of conduct which cannot be secured by negotiation.