Evening star., 1936-05-10
Cermahy's Intentions.

With view Of laying more solidly the
foundations OF European peace, the Brit
ish government has submitted a ques-
tionnaire designed to clarity Germany's
intentions toward her neighbors, par
ticularly regarding expansionist ambi-
tions. The acknowledged purpose is to
require Hitler openly to avow such
aspirations or renounce them for good.
The questions, though couched in re-
spectful terms, lack nothing in pointed
ness. They 60 directly to most of the
issues about which Nazi Germany has
spread anxiety throughout Europe, ex-
cept Rhineland remilitarization and
colonial equality Of rights" These
matters. the British QUESTIONABLE indi-
Gates, will be subjects of later consid-
Grafton.
Boiled down to essentials, Britain seeks
assurances on three cardinal questions
Cd whether the Reich is ready hence
forth to observe treaties; (2) whether
the point has now been reached where
Germany can signify that she recognizes
and intends to respect the existing terri
torial and political status of Europe-in
other words, whether Germany's craving
for equality is satisfied, and 90 whether
Germany's proposal for non-aggression
pactS can be extended to include the
Soviet Union, Latvia and Estonia, in
addition to the Reichs neighbors in
Western and Central Europe. Besides
these concrete questions, Britain pro-
pounds others of general nature, which
seek to commit the Germans not to in
terfere in the affairs of foreign states
or attempt by force to change the map
of Europe. Britain also intimates that
Hitler's proposal of western non-aggres-
sion air pacts should provide for limita-
ton of air strength.
Probably the most embarrassing point
in. the QUESTIONABLE, from Berlin'S
standpoint, is suggested remuneration of
German ambitions in Eastern Europe.
Hitherto Hitler has sternly refused to
consider non-aggression arrangements
with the Soviet or anything Savoring
of a mutual assistance pact. The Nazis,
as uncompromising foes of communism,
are filled with abiding suspicion of
Moscows purposes. Many Germans are
convinced that the huge army which the
Soviet is creating is designed some day
to sally forth on a Communistic crusade
in Europe. and that the Reich cannot
afford to bind itself in any way that
would hamper its readiness to thwart the
Red peril.
Berlin is likely also to see in London's
posers an attempt to compel Germany to
abandon the cherished ideal Of union
with Austria, even should anschluss
come about some day by voluntary
action within that country. Nor will the
Nazis view with equanimity the effort,
no matter in what veiled language it Is
concealed, to persuade them to relin-
quish hope of eventual incorporation
within a Greater Germany of Teutonic
minoritleS now under other SoverelgntleS.
Germany's f1rst-blush reaction to the
British QUESTIONABLE is that it is point
less because Hitler's April statement of
his peace program covered the funda-
mental questions raised. Present-hour
German policy being attuned to a
desire for conciliation toward Great
Britain, the discussion will not be
abruptly terminated. The immediate
course of European events will be
gravely influenced by what happens at
Geneva this week respecting liquida-
ton of the Italo- Ethiopian conflict.
Germany meantime Is invited to lay her
cards on the table. It is improbable
that she will do so without protracted
barter and delay.