EUROPE TO-DAY

Waikato Times, Volume 119, Issue 19816, 21 February 1936, Page 6

EUROPE TO-DAY

The latest cable messages from France show that the nation is suffering from another attack of nerves. A diplomatic correspondent, said to be well-informed, has “ envisaged ” a German plan of attack involving the invasion of Holland and Czechoslovakia in 1937, without a declaration of war, followed by a drive through Rumania and an attack on the Ukraine. There has been no report of any tension between the Dutch and the German Governments, and, unlike the position in Czechoslovakia, no territory formerly included in the Reich is involved. The neutrality of the Netherlands Government was never questioned during the Great War, and the German leaders know that any armed violation of Dutch independence would range the world against them.

The rapid re-arming of Germany has seriously disturbed the position on the Continent, but capable observers are by no means convinced that the Nazis will resort to force. Last year the people could not be fed, and in October it was necessary to increase inaterially the imports of fruit, eggs, butter, lard and meat. They may have arms and munitions but not the stocks nor the reserves for a campaign, and an army cannot live on the land in these days. There would be not the slightest prospect of any assistance financially from any quarter, and a competent American observer has stated that in the latter half of last year German foreign trade was done on a basis of one-fifth cash and four-fifths barter.

Another factor is the impossibility of securing really .stbong allies. The resources of the Austro-Hungarian Empire were available twenty years ago, but, unless Hungary entered the German camp, little could be expected from that source now. In any case the resources have sadly diminished of recent years. Poland represents an unknown quantity in the estimates, but any prospect of losing the Danzig corridor would, it is thought, cause her to hesitate. In any struggle between Russia and Germany Poland would stand to lose heavily whichever nation won.

The renewed activity in armaments can be traced to the re-arm-ing of Germany and perhaps the only practical course is for those who want to preserve the peace to present to any aggressor such a possible array of military might and resources that the extremists would realise the futility of that course. The real danger lies, not in the possession of munitions of war, but in the doctrines that are being preached to the German youths that national glory and greatness can only be found in armed conflict and conquest. That is the danger; a nation imbued with faith in force, belief in a supremacy that can only be imposed by the sword. The accumulation of arms may be disturbing, but the menace lies in the spirit of leaders who seek to glorify war.