SIGNS OF TIMES

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 19892, 21 March 1939, Page 5

SIGNS OF TIMES

MISREAD' IN BERLIN SOLE CAUSE OF TENSION GERMAN AGGRESSION LONDON PRESS OPINION (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Reed. March 21, 10 a.m.LONDON, March 20. The Times, in an editorial, .says: "The Germans are misreading the signs of the times when they attribute the present collapse of international confidence to Machiavellian calculations of other nations and hidden motives for aggression. "The seizure of Czechoslovakia is the sole cause for despair of a peaceful settlement which, with the accompanying maltreatment, is more disastrous because the perpetrator was one of the four who undertook to preserve Czechoslovakia in a new form. "Europe is driven back upon stark force. Nothing else counts. It was not a happy moment for Herr Hitler -to offer a guarantee to Rumania in exchange for all her produce. She instantly manned her frontiers. All the smaller countries fear German protection. "The suppression of Bohemia's liberties is a crime. Germany totally misunderstands the British, American, French and Russian refusal to recognise it, 'as the expansion of National Socialism means tyranny, cruelty and paganism. The reaction to .such a move is spontaneous. Britain has opposed encircling Germany, but Germany's methods have made encirclement inevitable.' MORE VIGOROUS NOTE WASHINGTON INTENTION CONDEMNING ANNEXATION OReed. March 21, 11 a.m.) NEW YORK, March 19. The acting-Secretary Of State, Mr. Sumner Welles, in collaboration with President Roosevelt, has completed the draft of a vigorous formal note to Germany, condemning the annexation of Czechoslovakia and indicating further parallel action with England and France "to stop Herr Hitler's drive." The note will probably be published in Washington and in Berlin tomorrow. It is believed in Washington that it may result in the severing of diplomatic relations. It is understood that the note may go> further than Mr. Welles' informal denunciation, even excoriating the Nazis as a menace to civilisation. Speculation is at present centring on whether the United States will drop the thin remnants of traditional aloofness from European affairs to participate in a conference with England, France and Russia to determine ways and means of halting Herr Hitler's march to the East. American participation in a conference would be certain to meet with stiff Congressional opposition, and it Is possible the Administration will not chance it, preferring to give aid in a less direct manner. COMPULSORY SERVICE MOVEMENT IN BEITAIN RECRUITING STIMULATED (Rec. Mar. 21, 10 a.m.) LONDON, Mar. 20. The Birmingham speech delivered on Friday by the Prime Minister, Mr. Neville Chamberlain, denouncing Nazi tactics and declaring that he would not sacrifice liberty for the sake of peace has stimulated national service recruiting, particularly in London, Manchester, Glasgow, Birmingham, and Leeds. A large section of the press is advocating compulsory national service, which the Daily Express declares will be a big political issue in the immediate future. Important supporters of the Government are said to be pressing for the formation of a compulsory register. ATTITUDE OF TURKEY RESISTANCE TO NAZIS BLACK SEA OBJECTIVE (Reed. Mar. 21, 10.40 a.m.) LONDON, Mar. 20. While democratic and political circles discuss the possible attitude of various countries in the event of an invasion of Rumania, the Daily Telegraph learns that Turkey definitely does not desire a common frontier with Germany and is prepared to resist German occupation of the shores of the Black Sea. Turkey, however, does not believe that such an invasion is imminent as Herr Hitler must protect his flanks before he makes such a move. This involves the practical absorption of Hungary, which step, even with the consent of the Hungarian Nazis further complicates the position of Italy in (he axis. MAGINOT LINE STAFF EXPERTS CALLED UP (Reed. March 21, noon.) PARIS, March 20. It is persistently rumoured that technical engineering experts have been called up and sent to the Magmot Line, similar to the measures taken in the September crisis.