Evening star., 1936-07-11

that he would stand by him in sup
port Of Austrian independence by
arms II necessary. Similar assurances
have been given Czechoslovakia by
both France and Russia, although
Frances promises become more pla-
tonic because the Rhineland is no
longer demilitarized and Germany is
therefore able to prevent France from
going to the aid Of any Of her Eastern
allies, or at least make 1t extremely
difficult for her. But Russia, on the
other hand, is building air bases on
Czechoslovakia soil. Apparently Hit
Ter Is convinced that a move against
Austria would mean war-not merely
discussions and resolutions in Geneva
and that move against CZecho-
slovakia might mean the same thing
He might attempt either one day were
he certain Of the neutrality of suf-
ficient countries or of at least one
strong ally. But at present he is sure
Of neither and he is genuinely appre-
hensive that two countries would act.
Overtures to France.
Hitler has not even answered Brit
aims memorandum of many weeks ago
1t may be recalled that on the eve of
occupying the Rhineland he made
overtures to France. Then, as soon as
his troops were moved, he called a
plebiscite to ratify his actions, de-
scribing them to the German people
as a move to re-establish universal
peace in Europe on a firmer basis than
that of Versailles. At the same time
he made the most grandiose, though
vague. offers of peace guaranteed to
the whole continent.
Britain answered the gesture by
asking for future and more detailed
information as a basis for immediate
negotiations. In this column on May
9 ventured the prediction that Hit
Ter would not reply to Britain's note
I wrote TO make a grandioSe offer but
to postpone negotiations which might
make that offer more than mere
words-until the next fait accompli-
appears to be a German tactic" For
that suspicious statement was called
to task by many friends of Germany
in this country. But the prediction
has thus far been sustained. Hitler,
in April, fired a huge propaganda
bomb dnto the air. It made a very
handsome display at the moment But
since then he has done nothing, except
to avoid any negotiations and watch
the course of events.
Status Quo Based on Force.
What all this seems to prove is that
the status quo in Europe can be main
tanned precisely as long as those inter
ested in sustaining it are prepared TO
use force. LitVinoff andi MusSolin
apparently realize that more clearly
than does Mr.. Eden or NJ Blum. Be-
hind their realization, of course, lie
certain ruthless realitieS-that in the
immediate sense the maintenance of
the status quo is more important to
both Russia and Italy than it is to
England or to France. Italy has
proved, and Russia may prove, what
Pilsudski, the Polish leader, himself
believer in force and in the fait ac-
compli, saw the moment Hitler came
to power-that with present-day Ger
many. force, and force alone will ac-
complish results. Shall it be peace
or ware" said that hard boiled and
realistic old soldier. And Hitler chose
peace and signed a l0-year pact
But pacts based upon force and
upon constantly competing arma-
ments are not peace. They are truces.
they are armistices, they are nothing
more.
(Copyrisht. 1850