Evening star., 1933-08-27
Britons Believe Europe
Not Headed Toward War
BY A. G. GARDINER.

LONDON, august Zo.-f1tLIy 0oi-
genthau's gloomy estimate OF the in
evitability Of war in Europe Is not &C
cepted even by those who admit the
seriousness Of the outlook.
These emphasize the view that no
one outside OF Germany could desire
war. They declare that Germany Is
and will remain for some years un-
ready for war, and that, although her
provocations will cause European re-
sentiment and keep her neighbors or
watch, they will coincide with Chan
cellor Hitler's desire to give his more
extreme supporters something to tickle
their palateS at the moment when his
prestige begins to be threatened.
This week has seen some slight i'm
provement in the prospects of avoid
ing violent solutions between Germany
and Austria. Chancellor Dollfuss Of
Austria returned from a visit to Pre-
mier Mussolini, convinced that the Duce
will stand by him through thick and
thin in defending the independence of
Austria against German attempt to
engulf her
The foreign Office here once more de-
clares its entire confidence in Italys
good faith. France and Great Britain
at the moment, indeed, seem content to
leave it to Mussolini to take further &C
ton at Berlin. The Duce, on his side,
appears proud of the role Of honest
broker, and if he has his eye on the
possibilities of lawful brokerage this
should not diminish Europe's gratitude
rupture over the Austrian question.
Meanwhile, Germany has made
prompt apology to America for storm
troopers wanton assault on Dr.. Daniel
Mulvihill Of New York in Unter Den
Linden. Also Germany has lately can
celed the virtual embargo on British,
American and other foreign shipping
companies, and even though her fear
of reprisals cannot be overlooked, both
cases suggest that she wishes to avoid
quarrels.
How explain, then, Germany's per-
sistant disregard Of warnings to let
Austria alone? The Italian AmbaSSa-
dor in Berlin renewed these warnings
this week, but the Munich radio station
continues its campaign of malice against
the diminutive neighbor. The truth
seems to be that the Nazi government
is engaged in struggle to maintain
itself before its public in the chosen
part OF vindicator of the rights Of the
Fatherland against foreign oppressors,
and 1t Is inevitable that to do this It
must make trouble abroad.
Enlargement Of Germany was from
the first one Of the chief items Of the
program with which Hitler bemused
the electorate. f he could now sue
ceed in drawing into the new Relch
mtght well think that his prestige had
been established without fear of chal
lenge.
1t seems likely that Hitler's prestige
lately has lost some Of its high polish,
even in Germany. No part of the Nazi
program was more warmly hailed by
the German masses than that declar-
ing an intention to deal with the great
estates and use the land for service.
But the junkers who brought about the
fall Of Heinrich Bruening were too
strong for Hitler and have forced him
TO issue q reputation Of his own
promise In such terms as to leaSe no
doubt about who the real masters OF
Germany are.
Nazi prestige Is also likely to receive
a serious blow as result of promised
revelations showing who were the real
authors of the Reichstag fire which
stampeded the German people against
the Communists on the eve Of the gen.
eral elections last March and caused
the landslide in favor of Hitler. After
seven months Van Der Lubbe, the
alleged Dutch Communist incendiary
is still in prison with his supposed
accomplices. Their trial is promised
for the end of September, but mean
time evidence Is accumulating with an
International committee Of which DR..
Albert Einstein Is chairman. It shows,
first, that Van Der Lubhe was in the
closest relation with the BavAriAn
Nazis and, second, that the fire was
the work Of q Maxi gang who used q
subterranean corridor to carry the in
flammables from Herman Goering's
house next door into the ReichstaS
Building and after starting the blaze
left Van Der Lubbe by arrangement to
be caught by the police.
The German public prosecutor was
so alarmed that he asked Roman Rol-
land and other members of the COM
mittee to submit this evidence to him.
They consented on condition that the
ordinary facilities for defense be given
the prisoner and his counsel But these
have been refused and Eufppe IS now
watching to see whsther the German
osnveynmept nan a1YFG6 Ia aAn0 the