Evening star., 1935-04-12

Mussolini did not invite the others
really because he wanted to tell his
intimate friends a few truths which
would have made them uncomfortable
had others been present. He wants
to tell them what fools they have
been by not taking a chance with the
Germans when Bruening was in
power, in 1882. Mussolini was then
ready to let the Germans arm parti-
ally. He was denounced as traitor
at that time.
Now, the old-fashioned diplomats
must lock facts in the face-much as
they hate 1t.
The problem at Stresa is not how
to prevent Germany's rearming. but
what to do to prevent Hitler from
making Use Of his new land. air and
sea forces. And that will be difficult
not because der Fuehrer wants an
immediate war, but because the in
terests of the three nations which
have sent representatives to Isola
Bella are not harmonious.
Hitler has discovered that II he
plays his cards carefully he can get
away with almost anything he wants
This because the other nations are 50
scared of the consequences Of another
war they will do their utmost to pre-
vent 1t.
There is no difference in the poll
teal conception Of the former Austrian
house painter and that Of the former
Kaiser.
Like the dethroned "highest ,rdr
lord" Hitler believes that Germany
must expand. She must find new
lands to colonize and markets to
exploit. The Kaiser had the same
aim, but had the unfortunate idea
OF tollopino Britatn's example and
tpdnted to build colonial empire
in Asia and Africa. He butted
against Great Britain and burned
his fingers.
Hitlers aim is to expand in Europe
&4*
Germany will do her best to bring
about q reunion with Austria During
Hitler's talks with Sir John Simon
last week in Berlin he assured the
British secretary of state that Ger
many would abstain from a formal
interference in Austria, If the other
powers did the same. Although Hitler
spoke all the time, seldom giving Sir
John a chance to put a word in, II
was clear that der Fuehrer meant that
Austria will become nazified withou,
an active interference on the part oi
the Reich.
There are some 3,50O,O0O Germans
In Czechoslovakia. II Austria is swal-
lowed by the Reich there is no reason
why the doctrine of Naziism should
not be spread in CZechoslovakia, too
Hitler and Goebbels believe the Ger
man Czechs could be disrupted and
eventually attached to the Reich.
Should these plans materialize,
the German empire tDill hare q
population of no less than S0.000.-
900 inhabitants and tUiu be solidly
established on the Brenner pass.
Its only outlet to the Adriatic iDiil
be Fiume-dt present an Italian
pOrt-iDhich is situated only so
miles from the Austrian frontier.
1t Is easy to understand why Mus
solini is nervous and why his predomi-
nant thought at the Stresa conference
is to keep Germany out of Austria
at any cost.
The French are worrying mostly
about the German rearmament. They
know that for the time being at least
the Germans have no ambitions or
any portion of the French territory
But a strong Germany which might
fulfill its aim in Eastern Europe vii
necessarily become Frances rival or
the continent. Hence Flandin and
Laval will do their utmost to induce
the other delegates to do something
about the German rearmament and
the violation of the Versailles Treaty
But Hitler has told plainly Sir John
Simon that Germany cannot be re-
Trained from arming. This Is not only
a political and . military necessity,
but also, temporarily, an economic
expediency.
What can der Fuehrer do with the
vast army of men who have been
working overtime for two years on
cannon, tanks and airplanes? Worse
still, he would be facing the wrath Of
his financial supporters, the Krupps
and the Thyssens. The great swollen
industrial machine of the Ruhr would
stand still, without outlets or markets.
-
The British share the worries of the
Italians and the French, only because
they fear that a war in Europe must
embroil Great Britain as well.
And uiH the empire be as ,rilling
to tollo,D the mother country as it
did In 1914? Probably yes, ii the
iDar expands to the Far East and
the japanese take q hand in it.
Probably no, If the iDdr Is localized
to Europe. For this reason Ramsay
Mac Donald, tollotDing his old theory
of "elastic diplomacy" has gone to
Stresa NTH good ciL, but no def
mite plan.
Ramsay is q romantic" in diplo-
macy. He has brainwaves on the spur
Of the moment and trusts the old say
ing: Britain can always muddle
through"