British And French Declarations

Southland Times, Issue 23793, 15 April 1939, Page 6

British And French Declarations

AS was forecast in yesterday s cable messages, the British and French 'Governments have given unilateral guarantees to Greece and Rumania. The AngloItalian Agreement has not been denounced, although Mr Chamberlain spoke plainly of the doubt which exists about Italy’s sincerity. Whether or not the remaining provisions of the treaty can be fulfilled now that distrust has entered so deeply into AngloItalian relations is a matter on which there are certain to be differences of opinion, even in the British Cabinet. But the Government cannot afford to close the last avenues of negotiation, or to neglect any chance of improving the present position. Meanwhile th.e policy of encirclement is likely to lead to new difficulties and dangers. It will be noticed that although specific assurances were given to Greece and Rumania the British attitude towards the other Balkan States was defined in general terms and without a precise guarantee of action in the event of aggression. The possibility of disturbance in this region must not be overlooked, especially when it is remembered that Germany’s sphere of influence now lies very close to that of Italy. It should be pointed out, also, that the danger zone has no fixed locality but extends the full length of the Rome-Berlin axis. All eyes are on the Balkan Peninsula. But the next step may be taken in Eastern Europe, where German-Polish relations are still to be clarified. It is even possible that the dictators will act simultaneously in different regions. Most people will want to believe that the fascist leaders have planned hitherto with a full awareness of the lengths to which they can go without precipitating a European war, and that now they will be wise enough to recognize the danger signals. The great difficulty, however, is to find a basis for new agreements and improved relations between the democracies and the aggressor States. Against a background of broken treaties, bad faith and increasing nervous strain it is going to be hard to build a collective security based on anything better than military force. 'Europe has become an armed camp, and until the men chiefly responsible for this unhappy situation make a constructive and peaceful gesture the danger of war must continue to oppress the minds of the peaceloving nations.