The Wanganui Chronicle FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 1936. GERMANY’S NEW MOVE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 221, 18 September 1936, Page 6

The Wanganui Chronicle FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 1936. GERMANY’S NEW MOVE

yilE move made by Germany to disassociate France from Russia by offering to reduce the standing army if France will abandon the Franco-Soviet Pact, may be regarded as the anti-climax to the Nuremberg Convention of the Nazi Party. The shouting and the tumult dies and after that the dark, for Russia has been given notice of what is in store for her if Germany can accomplish her desires. The situation for Germany, for ail of its boasting, is an uncertain one. In 1914 Germany could regard a contest with the Russian Army in the neighbourhood of the Pripet Marshes with a degree of equanimity. Germany had behind her a strong and well-trained army anil a full granary, and healthy coffers. To-day she has a well-disciplined army, but in how far it is physically fit—apart altogether from her picked men—is a matter for conjecture. The people have been subjected to a long period of privation and they are possibly becoming restive. Action, and external action at that, is becoming more and more important. Food supply is an essential for the future and Germany looks upon the grain-growing lands of the Ukraine with increasing eagerness. Russia is quite well aware of the value of the Ukraine, both to herself and its potential value to Germany. There is a great deal of discontent in that district against the rule of Moscow, and were Germany to move into that country it would be welcomed by a considerable section of the population. If Germany could secure the Ukraine it would be unnecessary for the importations of wheat from South-eastern Europe to continue. It would also increase the Germanic population within the borders of the Reich. Herr Hitler has already proclaimed that he has no desire to attack France, and it can be reasonably assumed that he is honest in making such a statement. No great gain would accrue to Germany by attacking France, for it would inevitably tiring in England to defend the Channel ports. The alignment, of Germany against Russia, France and England, with only a weakened and weak Austria as a psosible. but not probable ally, is hardly an inviting situation. Germany can. therefore, be regarded as seeking steps to break up the combination. If it be at all possible to disassociate France from Russia, then the way is open for an attack upon the Ukraine. Germany might be willing to undertake the gamble against Russia alone. It could provoke Russia into making an attack and then present the situation to the world as an onrush of Bolshevism against Western civilisation. Germany could then parade in the white armour of the defender of European civilisation. It was this role which the Nuremberg Conference desired to create for modern Germany. Germany, however. must first be certain that she shall not again be obliged to carry on a defensive war upon two fronts, the cast and the west. This was the mistake which Bismarck ftiresaw, and which was made, despite Bismarck s warning, in the fateful year of 1914. Herr Hitler realises this one lesson of history at least, hence his offer to France. If L rance is not a menace to Germany, and Russia is not a menace cither, of what purpose is there to be served in requesting France to break with Russia " After all it was Germany’s rearmament which brought the pad into being.