Evening star., 1936-03-29
FOURFACTORS PRESERVE
EJJROPE'S PRESENT PEACE
Britain's Fear of War, Hitler's Policy
and French Distrust of Allies
Delay Feared Outbreak.

Besides the deep feeling Of hatred
which exists among the Poles against
the Russians, there are two other con.
siderations why military co-opera-
ton with France is now impossible.
The Polish general staff has no illu.
sions about the Red armies and is
deeply impressed with the efficiency
Of the Reichswehr The Warsaw gov
ernment knows full we'll that, in the
event of a war between Germany,
France and the Soviets, Poland.would
become the battlefield Of thef East,
il it lived up to the Franco-Pohsh al
lance. The Corridor would be lost
IN no time and German airplanes
would fly over Warsaw in less than .
hours. Furthermore, Soviet troops
would be pouring over the border to
save" Poland. And the Warsaw gov
ernment does not believe that the
leopard has changed its spots. The
Red armies would take good care to
establish a Soviet regime in Poland.
There are many Poles who hope
that some day Poland and Germany
will cross into Russia together.
At the time when Poland was a part
Of Russia large estates in the Ukraine
used to belong to Polish landowners.
These estates were taken over by the
Soviet government when Poland be-
came self contained state and their
owners have never been compensated.
They hope to recover these losses
when Germany is ready to march
against Russia.
Back France in Principle.
Thus the Polish diplomats are al
ways to be found on Frances side
at international conferences, particu-
larly when questions Of principle are
being discussed When it comes to
practical matters, such as on which
side the Polish army should fight, the
Interests of the Eastern republic force
her to side with Germany.
Czechoslovakia is more the child Of
France than any of the little entante
states, and she always has stood by
her creator. Benes has fought all
Frances battles at Geneva and else
where. Czechoslovakia has never been
an ungrateful child. Even today Benes
would not hesitate to stand and fall
with France.
But here again the instinct of self.
preservation may force the Czechoslo.
vakians to look toward Germany Ex.
cellent as is the Czechoslovakian
army. it can resist only few weeks
against the German steam roller. Geo.
graphically. this Central European re.
public is helpless against the Reich.
Its economic interests are directed to-
ward Germany and the minorities, an
important element in the republic, are
not enthusiastic about fighting Frances
war
Western Czechoslovakia has a popu-
lation Of 3,500,000 Germans VINO are
tied to the Reich by language, tra-
dition and customs. This population.
the backbone of the republic, while
Jealous of its independence. would
rather be friends with the Reich-de-
spite Hitler-than fight.
Magyars in CzechosIovakia.
In Eastern Czechoslovakis there are
about 100000 Magyars-the fiercest
nationalists in Europe. They had to
accept the Prague rule because they
could not help themselves, but their
eyes are turned toward Budapest.
That is to say. toward a revision Of
the treaty which handed them over
to Czechoslovakia. They constitute
only per cent of the total popula-
ton of the republic, but they are q
compact group. confined to one region.
and can become an embarrassing ele.
ment in case of war.
With 80 per cent Of the population
In sympathy with the aims of the
Reich and another 20 per cent only
moderately interested in . war from
which they can derive no actual bene-
fits, Benes has to 60 about carefully.
He continues to pledge Czechoslo-
vakia's support to France. but Is com.
PEELED to question the ability Of tho
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