BLUNT DIPLOMACY

Waikato Times, Volume 123, Issue 20690, 28 December 1938, Page 4

BLUNT DIPLOMACY

Piquancy is lent to the diplomatic argument between the United States and Germany by the fact that Germany has decided to “suspend the controversy until after Christmas.” Whether it will be renewed later remains to be seen. It is obvious, however, that Germany will be unable to make much headway with America in her present mood, and it may be deemed expedient to let the matter rest. America has adopted refreshingly unorthodox diplomatic methods and shows not the slightest indication of any intention to withdraw from her position. The dispute arose when the Secretary for the Interior, Mr H. L. Ickes, bluntly attacked Nazi methods. He criticised the acceptance by Americans of decorations from the Germans. “How can they pretend that in accepting shabby baubles from a brutal dictator they are honouring the great people whom the dictator has victimised and degraded?” he asked. He declared the persecution of the Jews had carried Germany back to the period of history when man was unlettered, benighted and bestial. Germany’s sharp note of protest was rejected, and Mr Ickes has received support from many leading Americans, who have plainly indicated the disgust of the great majority of Americans at the Nazi tactics. That Berlin will not press its protest too far is suggested by a statement by Senator W. H. King, who in support of the Ministerial criticism of Germany said: “Herr Hitler can survive only as long as his Government has commercial relations with other nations. Herr Hitler is a challenging note to civilisation and democratic government, and in particular to those who accept the moral and spiritual qualities of Christianity. An economic boycott by the United States and other democratic nations would strike him where he is most vulnerable.” Used to forcing his will upon others, and to the milder diplomatic language of other nations, Herr Hitler is clearly nonplussed, and it is not surprising that he has suspended the controversy —until after Christmas. No doubt the severance of diplomatic relations with the United States is not pleasant to contemplate.