PROSPECTS OF WAR

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20783, 18 April 1939, Page 9

PROSPECTS OF WAR

(To the Editor) Sir, —All thoughtful people must be wondering what is going on behind the scenes in Europe. For what it is worth, the writer proposes to set forth a viewpoint for the consideration of your readers. In the first place, the cables have announced in recent months frequent and mysterious llittings round the capitals of Europe by the übiquitous Mr Montagu Norman. It is now well known that the intrigue of Mr Norman and his friend Dr. Schacht to slip "the blinkers of sound finance” on Herr Hitler failed miserably, the doctor losing his job over it. (Since that episode there has been a marked "stiffening” in the attitude of the democracies —socalled—towards the totalitarian Powers. Now just what are the crimes of the totalitarian powers, beyond the fact that they have adopted a form of government different from ours, as they have every right to do? Is it not a fact that Germany is building the best roads in Europe, models for the rest of the world? In addition, a huge rebuilding scheme of the older cities Is in progress. Turning now' to the work of Signor Mussolini, wonderful work has been done in the improvement of living standards for the masses. Italian engineering" is turning the desert of Libya into a Garden of Eden. The writer recently read an account of the first large-scale emigration scheme, where the land had all been brought into cultivation, stocked, comfortable homes of permanent materials built, with every modern convenience, comfortably furnished, the cupboards stocked, and the fires lit, as the settlers entered into possession. Transport to their new homes was entirely free, also one third of the costs of the new homes, the other two-thirds being repayable over 20 years at a negligible rate of interest, when the property belongs to the settler concerned. Can the democracies do anything like this? They cannot even do a thing for a few refugees. We know the procedure. A committee is set up, meets, and then "adjourns to examine the question.” That is the finish; nothing more is done. The totalitarian Powers have not “balanced” their budgets for years. Italy last year had a deficit of the equivalant of £168.000.000. Is anybody doing any worrying in the countries concerned? Not on your life. Financial policy has been made subservient to national policy. And right here, the writer suggests, is the heinous crime of the totalitarian Powers. Mr Norman and his colleagues are astute enough to realise that it is only a question of time, and it might be soon, when "orders” will be given to draw a pen through those - purely imaginary deficits. Gone would be the power of the international financier; hence the feverish flurry in the democracies, the headquarters and smoke screen of the financial gangsters. The “line-up” of the Powers Is significant. Russia has several times extended the hand of friendship to the democracies in the interests of world peace. That hand has never been warmly grasped. Why? Is it because Russia also has been guilty of making money subservient to the national interest ?

Why has there been such a swift reversal of policy in tlie United States from splendid isolation to pacts with the countries of Latin South America? And why the huge armaments when America cannot be seriously challenged from overseas? Every country that is in default on old loans is suddenly able to get practically anything it wants, and all for war materials. Strange is it not? Barter agreements between certain -South American countries and Germany that have been working smoothly for years have suddenly been swept away. Is President Roosevelt not deliberately sowing the seeds of war by increasing the difficulties of Germany while protesting peace with ivis lips? Now tlie bargaining is going on for the small fry in Europe, the odds being in favour of the totalitarian Powers, as British prestige is not worth tuppence. Are Mr Montagu Norman and his colleagues manoeuvring the “democracies” into position for the encirclement of the totalitarian Powers. when they will be given the choice of world war or balanced budgets?— l am, etc., R. G. YOUNG. Gordonton, April 16.