CRISIS IN EUROPE

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20832, 16 June 1939, Page 9

CRISIS IN EUROPE

INVASION OF ABYSSINIA WHY SANCTIONS SCHEME FAILED BRITAIN’S POLICY SINCE MUNICH The opinion that had oil sanctions been imposed against Italy when she invaded Abyssinia the war would have been brought to an abrupt end, probably with victory for Abyssinia, was expressed by the Rev. Dr. N. Gascoigne, formerly of 'Hamilton, when speaking at the Hamilton High Scliol yesterday. Dr. Gascoigne, who has returned to New Zealand after five years in Europe, said the steps taken by the League of Nations to apply sanctions to Italy were in accordance with the Covenant, but it was a tragedy that only half-measures were adopted. “Until 1935 Signor Mussolini gained the admiration of the world for his effective efforts in transforming Italy,” said Dr. Gascoigne. "Un the outbreak of the Abyssinian War the respect for him declined, and from the beginning of hostilities until the end of the campaign there was a continual cry of condemnation of Mussolini from the British Press and its sympathisers. Since then the opinion has been expressed thal had 'Mr Neville Chamberlain been guiding the destiny of the Empire at that time, the issues regarding Abyssinia would have been quito different.” British Premier Supported How Italy during the last 20 years had risen from a third rate power to a nation of paramount importance in world affairs was explained by Dr. Gascoigne. During the two years he spent there he noted the strenuous efforts being made to industrialise the country and to bring every inch of available land into a state of cultivation. Italy had a growing population of about 1,000,000 persons annually and the result was a tremendous drive for expansion. "It was a blessing that the future of our Empire was in the capable hands of Mr Chamberlain during the September crisis,” Dr. Gascoigne declared. "At that time 1 was in England and the confidence which the people placed in their Prime Minister was most noticeable. I am confident that Mr Chamberlain did the right thing in that tense situation. "We must admit,” said Dr. Gascoigne, "that there was an element of justice in Herr Hitler's claims relating to Czechoslovakia, demanding as he did the bringing back of 3,000,000 Germans to the Reich. The situation, as Mr Chamberlain pointed out, did not justify the plunging of the world into war. If attempts had been made to save Czechoslovakia it was almost certain that the country would have been over-run by the German armies.” German Unity Dr. Gascoigne quoted Hitler’s hook "Mein Kampf,” in which the writer expressed his determination to unite the German race as a people of pure Aryan Blood. Until last March he had kept to his pledge but in that month he completed the absorption of Czechoslovakia, thus involving a nonAryan race. “After breaking the promises he made at the Munich -Conference, Hitler has caused the British Government to pursue a policy of collective security, presenting a united front to aggression in Europe,” said Dr. Gascoigne. "With the introduction of this new policy there is a feeling of hope among the threatened countries. Last September, England was not in a position to contend with the conscripted military forces of Germany, but to-day, realising the threat which exists to her Empire, England has renounced her conservative tradition of nut introducing military conscription in peacetime. We hope thal her decision has not come Loo late.”

Before giving his address Dr. Gascoigne, who is an old boy of the Hamilton High School, was introduced by the headmaster, Mr 11. D. Tait.