Wairarapa Daily Times [Established Over 60 Years.] SATURDAY, 1st AUGUST, 1936. THE NEXT WAR.

Wairarapa Daily Times, 1 August 1936, Page 4

Wairarapa Daily Times [Established Over 60 Years.] SATURDAY, Ist AUGUST, 1936. THE NEXT WAR.

In his book, “Facing* Facts: A Political Survey |or the Average Man,” Mr M. Follick gives us a clear statement of the world situation, together with the inferences that may legitimately be drawn. Mr M. Follick wishes us to understand, if we do’ not understand it already, the extreme gravity of our peril. This is put down to two things: the “mess” made of Europe by the Treaty of Versailles, with its pei’petuation of national animosities and racial antagonisms, and the rise of Japan. Thus, he has no doubt that Germany will attack France again as soon as she feels herself strong enough. “Hitler is playing a deep game. He has shown himself to be one of the astutest politicians that Germany has ever had. . . . He has turned Poland from a foe into a friend, from an ally of France into almost an ally of Germany.” France’s courting of Italy is mere self-deception; it will never persuade her to keep her eyes off Corsica. Meanwhile, Japan engulfs China, and, with the American withdrawal from the Philippines, will seize some occasion for “restoring order” and

occupying tlie republic, as a preliminary to the conquest of the Dutch East Indies, New Guinea, Australia, and ultimately India. England, America and Russia should make a firm stand now against Japanese imperialism, thinks Mr Follick. Otherwise, not only the British Empire, but Europe, will be threatened. The writer has a way of arguing from geographical facts. Thus, Japan’s apparent aim is encirclement of China, and so India. Similarly, Italy hopes to drive a wedge through the Soudan from Libya to Abyssinia. On the map these suggestions take credible form. Mr Follicle’s idea of the occurrence of the next war is this: “The trouble will probably start in the East,” he says. “The cause will be Japan. England, America and Russia will be engaged with Japan in the Pacific. Germany sees her chance and chances her arm. Poland wants Odessa in exchange for the Corridor, and joins in. France is called on to help Russia and to help herself. Hungary attacks Czechoslovakia, which brings in the Little Entente. Bulgaria attacks Jugoslavia and the other two signatories of the Balkan Pact —Greece and Turkey—are called upon to fulfil their obligations. Italy remains sitting on the fence until she finds out liow the wind is biowins’. Germany will offer her anything belonging France that she cares to take.