EUROPE IN GRIP OF FEAR

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLI, Issue 20340, 12 February 1936, Page 9

EUROPE IN GRIP OF FEAR

FAR WORSE THAN IN 1914 VIEWS OF MR WARD PRICE CRITICISM OF BRITISH POLICY United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, February 10. “Never have I found such widespread foreboding of war as during my Continental journey, whence I have just returned," writes Mr Ward Price, in “The Daily Maily.” "Things are far worse than in 1914,” was the general phrase. The present warlike preparations cannot continue without an explosion. Mr Price ridicules General Smuts’ opinion that war talk is mostly bluff, and contends that behind the present situation are the same causes as formerly, namely, strong nations with unsatisfied grievances and ambitions, of which Germany is the most formidable, and alms at taking over the Polish Corridor, and satisfying Poland therefore by conquests from Russia. He points out that the FrenchBritish talks with M. Tukachevsk, who had been visiting British munition factories and conferring with War and Air Ministers, inspire misgivings to Germany, where it is taken as evidence of attempts at encirclement, although they were merely part of a vague Geneva plan for collective security. Nevertheless, however much they contribute to Russia's security they will be fatal to British security if they provoke Germany to strike west, Instead of east.

“I had an hour’s talk with Signor Mussolini recently,” added Mr Ward Price, "and it left the impression that the danger to Britain runs in creating community interests between Germany, Japan and Italy, all of which are intent to acquiring colonies. Thus far there is no evidence of a German-Italian bond, but inside cases of German merchandise, which are imported in greatly increased quantities to Italy, owing to sanctions, is often found a printed message, always in the same words: ‘Hold on until the spring.’”

ANXIETY IN GERMANY CRITICISM OF BRITISH POLICY United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright BERLIN, February 10. German anxieties regarding the trend of diplomatic moves in Europe are -finding increasing expression in the German Press. The chief point of fear at the moment is that the Anglo-Russian rapprochement may lead to the encirclement of Germany by England, France and Russia. Quarters which hitherto regarded British friendship toward Germany as axiomatic in the solution of their problems, now appear less certain than before. The Foreign Office mouthpiece, "The Borzen Zeitung,” says: “It is due to the psychological absurdities of the British policy that France is being suddenly encouraged from London to conclude a Franco-Russian pact. The paper concedes justification for British rearmament, but. contrasts it with last week’s appeals in the House of Commons to the Government to take every practicable step for a further and better understanding with the nations.

“The Frankfurther Zeitung” suggests that Mr Baldwin and Mr R. A. Eden, who is so sure of himself, will have to say more clearly whether their talk about the League of Nations means a coalition against Germany, or envisages the new leadership in Europe, which Sir Samuel Hoare expounded. Colonial Problems Simultaneously there has been a widespread editorial discussion regarding Germany’s colonial problem, in which it is agreed that Germany cannot be satisfied with a mere share of raw materials, but It is a matter of honour that she should regain her colonies. General Goering’s organ “National Zeitung,” says: “Germany does not ask Britain to cede any of her Crown colonies, or grant benevolent permission for access to raw materials, but Germany expects a just solution of the so-called mandatory problem, which others want to avoid by proposing different solutions.