The Waikato Times WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 1935. GERMANY AND EUROPE

Waikato Times, Volume 117, Issue 19564, 1 May 1935, Page 6

The Waikato Times WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 1935. GERMANY AND EUROPE

There is no question that the attitude of Germany is causing perturbation to the statesmen of Europe. Mr Bamsay McDonald, whose peaceful desires no one can gainsay, has been move _ ~ out straightly, and the tenor of his remarks shows that he as p a«y concerned as to recent developments. He fears that Hi er a colleagues are undermining confidence and arousing mis rus .

The administrators of Germany have greatly surprised e world as to the extent of her re-armament. It was serted that whilst she was loudly proclaiming her pacific intentio and abhorrence of warfare, she was persistently ignoring her ob - gations and arming in secret. These reports were largely discounted in some official circles, but events have shown that they had a lair y substantial foundation.

The revelations in the British White Paper, which was issued above the initials of Mr MacDonald himself, brought matters to a head. Germany decided to openly continue the course she had pursued in secret. It transpired that Germany, which was supposed to be without an army, had trained men in excess of those of her neighbours, that her air force ranked amongst the strongest in Europe, and it is now announced that she is directing her energies to the provision of a powerful navy. What does it portend

Germany is deliberately flouting Europe whilst avowing peaceful intentions. Sh'e asks to be trusted, but shows by her every action that it is impossible to trust her. Probably she is smarting under a sense of injustice, and had she been treated more rationa y s e would have been more amenable; but the fact remains that s e ooi the wrong course to secure redress for her grievances.. This could have been secured by co-operation and goodwill exercised through the League of Nations. She, however, cut herself adrift from that august body and. decided to isolate herself. This was a course calculated to fan smouldering sparks into a flame, and Germany has largely forfeited the sympathy which was at one time felt for her.

Indications are not wanting that there are influences operating in Germany which are antagonistic to the present order. These, however, are not permitted free expression, as Nazi ruthlessness in dealwith opponents is well known. It, however, can be taken for granted that Hitler’s Germany is not so united and solid as it appears on the surface. The German people are educated and thoughtful, and it is hardly probable that once they realise whither they are being led they will continue to docilely follow their guides. As Pastor Legaard, who has recently been in Germany, stated in Wellington yesterday the situation may be greatly changed in the not distant future.