EVENTS IN EUROPE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 76, Issue 97, 27 April 1933, Page 8

EVENTS IN EUROPE

CAN WAR BE AVERTED? BRITAIN’S GREAT EFFORT AN ITALIAN TAUNT The question which, to-day, is on e\eryonc s lips on the Continent and even in Britain is, Can war be averted? Is another conflagration tu engulf Europe? This immediately raises another question: Between whom is war likely to break out, aud in what part of Europe must efforts be concentrated if peace is to be preserved? A rapid survey of the swift-moving events in Europe during the first quarter of this year may indicate possible answers to these questions, writes “Observer” in the Melbourne Age. Rumours and denials were freely made in February of the existence of various secret alliances, and iu some instances the “official” denials are as likely to be unsubstantial as the rumoured asservations. One event, however, of considerable importance, which nobody attempts to deny, occurred iu Paris on November 28 last, when the then French Premier (M. Herriot) signed the non-aggression pact between France and. Russia. A Polish-Russian understanding is also in existence. These pacts aro of advantage to all three countries, for in the event of a German attack oil Poland for the purpose of restoring Danzig to Germany and of obliterating the Polish corridor, thus “liberating” the East Prussians, Poland would feel secure on her eastern frontier, fearing no attack from Russia, which, in the, absence of a Polish-Russian pact, would be likely enough. Russia found the pact with Franco convenient because it left her western frontier comparatively safe should any trouble arise with Japan on her far-eastern frontier. The gain to France is obvious. It strengthens her alliance with Poland, and, in the event, of complications arising between France and Germany owing to tho rise of Hitlerism, Poland would bo free to resist an attack by Germany from the east and France would be ready on Germany’s western frontier. Poland was not very keen on the Franco-Russian pact for fear that it indicated that France might have to desert Poland and come to sonic arrangement with Germany and Italy. Needless to say, Japan was anxious to prevent the signing of the Franco-Russian pact in view of the possibility of her having tu meet Russia in northern Afanchuria. Although Japan’s diplomatic efforts in this direction were not Successful, she was able to reach a friendly understanding with Britain, and the stern British Note to Russia concerning the arrest in Russia of some Englishmen is probably due more to the century-old British apprehension of Russia’s Central Asian expansion towards India than to the actual details arising out of tho arrests. Russian intrigues in Irak, Persia, Turkey, and Afghanistan are also causing some concern to the British Foreign Office, and no doubt the moment is deemed propitious to break off diplomatic relations .especially in view of the fact that there is a strong Democratic group in the United States Congress, which favours the “recognition” of Russia. Italy, France. Germany, and the United States aro all reaping a fairly profitable trade with Russia, but Britain apparently thinks that ‘political disadvantages outweigh possible commercial gains. Britain’s action may be justified, but it is somewhat dangerous, in view of the fact that peace in Europe and in Asiatic Russia or Japan is interlocked. Relations Strained. But to return, to the Franco-Russian past. On February 14 last Al. Herriot, in a public speech, advocated a still closer understanding between France aud Russia, and in view of events which were occurring at the time it is easy to see why he made it. in the first place, a revolutionary movement was breaking out in Rumania (where a strict censorship now prevails), and this “third limb” of France’s Little Entente appeared to be stricken with paralysis. Secondly, the French Foreign Qffice learnt about the dispatch of arms and aeroplanes from Italy to Hungary via Austria, and at the same moment relations between Italy and Jugoslavia (the “second limb” of the Little Entente) were becoming increasingly strained. Jugoslavia itself was seething with distontent against King Alexander, who is about as popular in his country as King Carol (another French appointment) is in Rumania. It was little wonder then that French newspapers were full of allegations that a secret alliance existed between Italy. Germany and Hungary. The Little Entente (no doubt in obedience to in-

structious from Paris) at once proceeded to reaffirm its “sacred alliance,;; and on February 16 last a pact was signed between the three countries (Rumania, Czechoslovakia, and Jugoslavia), “ consecrating” an entente representing 48,000,000 of people who were henceforth to 11 treat unitedly” with foreign Powers. This was signed with the object of dissipating the impression in Italy and Germany that in the event of a dispute between Germany, Italy and Hungary against France, Jugoslavia, and Czechoslovakia, Rumania would remain neutral. The fact was that the Rumanian political insurrection had been temporarily crushed. The joint Franco-British note to Austria demanding, in somewhat violent terms, the return of the Italian arms was at first answered by Austria pointing out that Czcchoslavakia had often sent arms through Austria to its ally Yugoslavia, and an Italian newspaper founded by Mussolini became very angry. On February 16 it stated, Inter alia: “Now we shall know who wants peace and who wants war to dominate the world. The responsibility is fixed. Nobody threatens France, but it is France who, with her formidable increase in armaments, her spirit of intrigue, her static age-old ignorance of tho development and needs of other peoples, ter alliances and her Press (both financed by her armament firms), threatens Europe and tho world.” It was subsequently denied that Mussolini, was the author of the article, but obviously it was inspired as the entire Italian Press is muzzled. There is a good deal of truth in the article, which goes on in the same strain, and denies the existence of a secret alliance between Italy, Germany, and Hungary. Dark forces were soon afterwards to take shape in Germany, and France had ground for some of her suspicions, although it must be admitted that the French are the most suspicious race in Europe, and suspicious people generally find their suspicions fulfilled. The Austrian arms affair ended very tamely for Austria. Britain’s surprisingly prompt support, of France (about the only vigorous action which Sir John Simon had taken up till then) had something to do with Austria’s promise to send the arms back to Italy, but the chief reason was due to the fact that had she not done so the French portion of the Franco-British-Italian loan to Austria would not be forthcoming! France always backs up her diplomatic actions by financial pressure. Britain’s support of France was plainly due to fear that Austria might otherwise be tempted to join the Italo-German-Hun-garian bloc. The incident left a nasty taste in the Chancellories of Europe, and brought into - strong relief tho antagonism between France and Italy. During the last three years these two nations have between them added no fewer than 80 warships to their fleets in their mad race for control of the Mediterranean, which, owing to Britain’s naval economy, can no longer be said to be a “British lake.” Fascist Reign of Terror. All these events, grave enough in themselves, and following each other with alarming rapidity. were overshadowed early in March when Hitler and those behind him, such as Hughenburg, the millionaire Nationalist and leader of the big German manufacturers, and von Papen, tht leader of the large land-owming military or “Jun. ker” caste (of whom Hindenburg is

one), started on their Fascist reign of terror iu order to dragoon the passive half of Germany into the bad old prewar days. The end of Parliamentary democratic government in Germany was surely consummated when German newspapers were forbidden to quote from tho Loudon Times for fear of infecting tho populace with the Bolshevik views! But then Hitler, leaded of the self-styled “National Socialists,” besides suffering from a Jewish persecution mania, has what, may bo termed a Marxian complex. He blames the world depression on “fourteen years of .Marxian rule in Germany.” That would surely be enough to mako Kail Marx turn iu his grave, seeing that for J 4 years Germany has had the mildest, form of Liberalism that ever received tho support of a Conservative church—a Liberalism which was struggling with tremendous world forces completely outside its control. The German National Socialist Labour Party—to give the Nazis their full title—is a contradiction in terms. ]t is neither German (being a feeble imitation of Italian Fascism) nor National (only 42 per cent, of the people voted for Hitler), nor .Socialist (for the essence of European Socialism is internationalism), nor Labour (for it obtains its support from tho lower middle class, and small shopkeepers ruined by the war, inflation, and the depression) Much of the Nazi programme consists of a hotch-potch of indigested nebulous phrasds. The “party,” however, stands solidly for the revision of the Treaty of Versailles, but so does every man,” woman, and child in Germany, of whatever race, political creed, or religion. Dangerous Situation. , It is indeed fortunate for the world that a moderate aud comparatively tolerant French Government should have attained office at a moment when it was apparently too late to be of any good. Had the Dcladier, or even tho Herriol, Government come into office two years ago there would have been less Hitlerism in Germany to-day. However strongly we may justly condemn or pity the actions of powerful political incendiaries in Germany, who always rise to the top when certain countries are troubled, we should at the same time never forget that a long succession of reactionary Tories of profound stupidity and rapacity formed the Governments of France* almost without a break from 1919 to the end of 1932, and that they are largely responsible for having driven Germany into her present desperate straits.