DICTATORS’ PAUSE

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20784, 20 April 1939, Page 8

DICTATORS’ PAUSE

Has the initiative in international affairs passed from the totalitarian States to the democracies ? That question has arisen during the pause in events which has followed President Roosevelt’s appeal for an assurance that no further aggression is intended. No further menacing move has been made by the dictators beyond precautionary movements of troops, but in the meantime Britain is steadily increasing the strength of the peace front, and every day is making the task of possible aggressors more difficult. The task is full of difficulties, however, and Mr Chamberlain is not able to report progress as rapid as many had hoped in rallying the peaceseeking nations. The future of Danzig remains obscure, but negotiations are said to be proceeding between Germany and Poland, and the general expectation is that Danzig will eventually pass into German control. Situated as the city is in the middle of the Polish Corridor, German control may lead to some complications in the future. From a world point of view, however, absorption of the city by Germany is not of major importance. It is one of the few remaining areas where Germany can base her claim on a substantial national population. Generally the international situation seems to be considerably easier. Both Germany and Italy are expected to reply to Mr Roosevelt with compromise proposals. It is believed they "will not agree to abandon their claims entirely —Italy to Tunis and other small territories and Germany to colonies at least —but if because of the American action further violent aggression is prevented a great step forward will have been taken. The democracies do not demand that the status quo shall necessarily be maintained. What they do demand is that negotiation shall replace armed invasion and other tactics with which Germany and Italy have kept Europe in a turmoil. The question is whether the dictators can compromise with the democracies without losing “face” with their admirers. Their pause for serious considei-ation at least gives some reason for hope.