CHANGE IN EUROPEAN MIND

Waikato Times, Volume 132, Issue 22150, 23 September 1943, Page 4

CHANGE IN EUROPEAN MIND

Sir Samuel Hoare, who has, as British Ambassador to Spain, had the opportunity of studying the development of opinion in Europe from the neutral standpoint, had several interesting observations to make in an address at Chelsea. “The danger to Europe is not Russian influence but Russian isolation,” he said. “In any stable world the greatest of the Slav peoples, whose territories possess vast resources and whose achievements have amazed the world, must take its rightful place.” There is much food for thought in this statement. It is becoming increasingly clear that Russia must take a more prominent place in the future than it has occupied in the past. Much more can be expected from co-operation than from isolation and jealousy. Marshal Stalin by disbanding the Communist International made a gesture to the peoples of the United Nations. If in this spirit Russia is willing to adopt the principle of self-determination and to eschew political interference there is no good reason why her relations with the other Allies after the war should not be extremely fruitful. Sir Samuel said he had watched the impact of the British military effort on the Continental mind. Previously for years the German military machine had dominated the scene and the legend of German invincibility had become firmly established. Now a great change has occurred. Allied successes on the sea, on land and in the air, and particularly the aerial domination of European skies, have brought the-, realisation to Europe that Germany has not only a military rival but a military superior in the field. The whole continent is adjusting its mind to this outstanding fact—Germany cannot remain the master of Europe. What that realisation means will soon be seen. Peoples stunned into submission by German hammer blows know that rescue is coming. These millions of people will be amongst Germany’s most bitter and influential enemies.