MORE PRUSSIANISM

Southland Times, Issue 22107, 30 August 1933, Page 6

MORE PRUSSIANISM

■Provocative German nationalism, showing some of the characteristics of pre-war Prussianism, continues to disturb Europe. The Nazi broadcasts directed against Austria persist in spite of the protests, and if the aerial propaganda has been suspended, there are now frontier incidents, so impudent, that they cannot be tolerated much longer. Within the last few days, Swiss territory has been invaded by Germans who seized a Czechoslovakian by crossing the Swiss border and dragging him back to Germany, and a brutish quartet of Nazis provided a scene in Belgian territory. Either of these acts in 1914 would have been enough to bring about an ugly international situation, but if they continue they will stir even the nations of 1933. France is restless under the goad of a bumptious Germany, and the reports of military preparations in Germany will increase the apprehension. To-day Europe is peace-desiring in every part save Germany, and it is to this wish to preserve the peace that credit must be given—if it is credit—for the absence of active reprisals against the Nazis. No one is deceived by the contention that the Nazis are wholly independent of the German Government, which, therefore, cannot be held responsible for their outrages, because Adolf Hitler, as Chancellor, can control the organization he leads if he so wishes. The German Government makes no attempt to reprimand the Nazis, but it will probably do so if it is firmly threatened with reprisals. To-day Germany is parading its bluster in Europe and it is insulting its neighbours with impunity. While this is permitted to continue, it will grow in intensity, while the Nazis swagger behind their own frontiers as the strong men of German nationalism. They can boast of the fear they have instilled in the hearts of other peoples and point to their braggadocio as evidence of the respect enjoyed by Germans. Is this good for the peace of the world? Forbearance is admirable in season, but in this case the patience shown by the other nations is regarded as weakness in Germany, vzhere nationalism is going mad because it is brutishly militant. The situation is disturbing, because unless the Nazis are really checked the trouble will give the League of Nations a difficult problem at a time when it is least wanted. Germany is a provocative bully at the moment, and the only treatment she deserves is a sharp reminder, by force if needs be, that she must recognize the rights of her neighbours, who are not interfering in her affairs. The time for that sharp reminder is now, and the longer it is delayed the more dangerous will the situation grow.