The Waikato Times TUESDAY, AUGUST 22, 1939 CAMPAIGN OF “NERVES”

Waikato Times, Volume 120, Issue 20889, 22 August 1939, Page 4

The Waikato Times TUESDAY, AUGUST 22, 1939 CAMPAIGN OF “NERVES”

Concurrently with Germany’s most extensive military manoeuvres, the Propaganda Ministry is pouring out its poison with unparalleled Molence. The nation is conducting a campaign of terrorism, apparently in the hope that the very scale of its activities will draw

others into its camp from fear of the consequence of further resistance. In every direction Germany is exerting pressure in the hope that the weakest link will snap. Even small and inoffensive Switzerland is being pounded by Nazi propaganda and reduced to a state of great anxiety. Slovakia has given way, and it is open to question whether Hungary will follow. Poland and her allies remain firm. The “nerves war’ has not shaken them. Indeed, they seem to have become inured to German verbal violence, and in that direction Germany’s hitherto most effective weapon seems to be losing its keen edge. The other edge lias apparently struck a blow at Signor Mussolini’s end of the axis, and if reports from Rome are proved to be correct it may yet be found that Germany s decision for peace or war may be conditioned by Signor Mussolini’s obvious distaste for a large-scale encounter. Besides using his own personal influence the Italian dictator is reported to have invoked the aid of the Vatican in attempting to dissuade Herr Hitler from tempting the fates too far. No doubt Herr Hitler is appropriately disappointed at the lack of enthusiasm on the part of his axis partner.

In all the turmoil, Britain and France are saying remarkably little. They have given their word to Poland, Turkey and Greece and arc busily preparing to back the promise they have made with the greatest possible measure of physical strength. Meanwhile there are indications that opinion is changing in the United States, and it is thought probable that President Roosevelt will soon make another attempt to bring Germany to reason. These are all signs that Herr Hitler cannot ignore. A Nazi spokesman declares that Germany has gone so far that she cannot now retreat, and the opinion is expressed that Germany has realised too late that the peace Powers are in deadly earnest in their opposition to further aggression. Time is flying and the German military manoeuvres are nearing their peak. There is still strong hope that that peak will he passed without an explosion.

Germany’s “miltary treaty” with Slovakia has apparently removed the last vestige of independence possessed by the former State of Czechoslovakia and given Germany access to another long stretch of the Polish border. It is reported that Germany has promptly moved troops into the frontier region, from which they could menace vital industrial areas in Poland. Incidentally, the move will increase the pressure on Hungary, which may or may not be inclined to seek the military protection afforded by Germany. Bohemia, Moravia and Slovakia are now to all intents and purposes German territory, but they are still peopled by thousands who own no allegiance to the Nazis, and who would he a liability rather than an asset in time of war.