The Timaru Herald TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 1935. THE FATE OF MINORITIES.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIX, Issue 20013, 22 January 1935, Page 6

The Timaru Herald TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 1935. THE FATE OF MINORITIES.

Even though the League of Nations has safely conducted the Saar problem through the plebiscite stage, the difficulties of the situation are far from being over. All the details connected with the change from international to German rule have, of course, to be completed; but as they are chiefly matters of organisation, they can scarcely affect the League's prestige or strength. What would Appear to be a coming test for tile League’s strength is Germany's treatment of the Saar minorities. Germany lias solemnly vowed not to persecute those minorities, and not to establish concentration camps for the internment of the people in the Saar, who were unable to agree with her one sided political faith. From current reports, however, it would Seem that the enthusiasm of Herr Hiller's followers leaves no chance for the recognition of the solemn vows made to the League. The Nazis are already proceeding to beat anti-Nazis to death, and, to make those deaths even more horrible they have, according to one report, rubbed salt into wounds. Obviously the Saar is not rendered more hospitable by pits dug near anti-Nazi houses, carrying the notice: “This will he your grave after March 1.” It is inconceivable that the people of a once enlightened civilisation could sink into such depths of depravity. It would be deplorable if in the horror created by these atrocities, the world forgot what preceded the advent of the present depraved politics in Germany; forgot that the menace of Socialism was largely responsible for Germany’s present regime. Out of the resultant chaos, the new political leaders gained authority, and the further result is the terrible spectacle of a nation that was once civilised, now countenancing barbaric deeds. The lesson is not an isolated one, for Socialism has produced a similar evil to a lesser extent in other countries in Europe; indeed, ’ Socialism provided the main causes for the development of Fascism in Italy. The lesson is a strong one. It is indeed, fortunate for the Saar refugees that some countries exist which can still maintain the principles of humanity. “If the refugees became an international problem,” said M. Pierre Laval, Foreign Minister in the French Government, “France would receive them in the spirit of humanity,” The refugees will, however, according to the newspaper Figaro, be regarded as citizens of the League of Nations and money spent on them will be regarded as an advance by France to the League, which will be responsible for tlieir final destination. In these days, the problem of the refugee has become more pressing, especially in old established countries Where only a small artificial increase in population disorganises employment, and, in fact, upsets the economic balance of the country. France has thousands of square miles of colonial territory, and it would not he impossible to find a place for French nationals in their former homeland. Sufficient is known of the goal of German policy in relation to people of non-Aryan blood, to compel the independent observer of the march of international events to feel somewhat concerned for the fate of the opponents of the Nazi who cast their votes in the Saar against the return of the territory to Germany; moreover, it is generally recognised that minorities in many of the countries created at Versailles, who now constitute a grave international problem, are not being treated in accordance with the letter and spirit of the terms of the peace treaty.