The Timaru Herald THURSDAY, JANUARY 8, 1938 THE LEAGUE AND THE DICTATORS.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20928, 6 January 1938, Page 6

The Timaru Herald THURSDAY, JANUARY 8, 1938 THE LEAGUE AND THE DICTATORS.

Because Germany has ceased to recognise the League of Nations as worthy of the support of the Nazis, the attack The Boersen Zeitung has hurled at General Smuts calls for some official explanation. Only yesterday Germany’s co-partner in the world-wide plot to replace collective discussion in facing international disputes, with the arbitment of the sword, indulged in some spiteful reference to the ideals of the League of Nations. But, of course, something more solid than the fanatical outpourings of the inspired press of Berlin, will be necessary to destroy the prestige of General Smuts as a recognised defender of the ideals of the League of Nations. It is moreover something of a surprise that the German press raises such violent objections to the deductions arrived at by General Smuts in relation to the status of the League. No one would deny that the dictators of Europe and Asia are hostile to the League of Nations —they have repeatedly made this confession—because its ideals are democratic and liberal. These ideals are an anathema to the champions of totalitarianism. There is, therefore, nothing new in the viewpoint expounded by General Smuts. It. is realised, of course that some of the most significant movements in the world to-day find a focal point in opposition to Communism. Three powerful Fascist nations—Germany, Italy and Japan—linked themselves on November 6, in a triangular alliance to suppress Communism. The ‘‘Red menace” has become the bogey which Germany, Italy and Japan can parade at any moment to justify their warlike activities. The other day an influential American newspaper published this interesting comment: The results indicate an urgent need for a clearer understanding of what Communism means. Some Governments are frequently termed “red” when they include a small minority of Communists, or no Communists at all. The actual numbers of Communists in most countries is shown from statistics to be. small and, generally speaking, on the decline. Only by including under the term of Communists many actually non-Communist elements, such as Socialists, French Radicals and even Liberals generally—including, that is, all the elements that might come under the heading of democratic or non-fascist —could the Fascist powers arrive at such a figure as would justify all the alarms and the rearmings that they are feverishly sponsoring to-day. The Fascist powers have not defined what they mean by Communism. It is because of this very indefiniteness that the spokesmen and press in Germany, Italy and Japan so frequently turn their attention to democratic countries and attempt to bring them into the Communistic fold. In the main political situations and economic conditions are compelling the leaders of Fascist countries to create periodical diversions. Hence the attack on General Smuts and the declaration of the German newspaper “that there does not exist more fanatical or more irresponsible agitators for war than the enthusiasts of the League of Nations.” It is interesting to note, however, that the Italian supporters of the rule of force are repeatedly denouncing the League of Nations because of its repudiation of war as an instrument of national policy, and its occasional bold pronouncements in castrating aggressor nations for their ruthlessness in attacks made on helpless nations and persistent violations of solemn obligations undertaken over the signatures of their own statesmen.