Evening star., 1936-03-09
HitIer's Defiance.

1t was a mere question of time when
Nazi Germany would complete the de-
struction of the treaty of Versailles by
remilitarization of the Rhineland and
concurrent denunciation of the Locarno
pact whereby postwar Germany volun-
tarily reaf1rmed that particular portion
of the peace terms. Hitler'S action in
marching troops into the prescribed
region is in full keeping with his defiance
OF the Reich's covenanted pledge with
respect to rearmament.
Hitherto the allied powers have per-
mitted the Fuehrer to indulge IN his
succession OF highhanded tactics with
little more than indignant remonstrance
on their part His latest disregard
of Germany's plighted word exceeds in
sheer effrontery and in its direct menace
to European peace anything that has
gone before Decidedly it remains to be
seen whether the rearming of the Rhine
provinces will be tolerated as meekly as
previous Nazi treaty violations Pend
ing decisions to determine whether it is
to be accepted without protest or COM
bated, if necessary, with force, the peace
of Europe is palpably threatened as it
has not been since 1914. Hitlerism has
confronted Old World democracies with
recurrent perils since his accession to
mower in 1888. but never has he offered
them challenge that can SO easily lead
to war as the remilitariZation OF the
Rhineland.
Germany's pretext for dispatch OF
troops into the forbidden area is that the
I,ocarno pact has been abrogated by
French action in concluding a virtual
military alliance with Soviet Russia, and
that therefore the Reich is no longer
obligated by the Locarno understanding.
Hitler ignores two cardinal facts One OF
these is that the Franco-RusSlan pact
provides for mutual assistance only II
either of the contracting nations is the
victim of unprovoked attack. The other
little detail blandly overlooked by the
Fuehrer is that three nations besides
France-Great Britain, Italy and Bel
gium-are parties to the Locarno agree
ment. In turning it into scrap OF
paper, Germany flouts them as well as
France Unless they share the Nazls'
low opinion of the sanctity OF lnterna-
tional undertakings, it is inconceivable
that they will allow Hitlerism's newest
brazenness to pass unrebuked.
Just as Hohenzollern Germany struck
in 1914 at what it believed to be psyche
logical moment for accomplishment OF
its purposes. the Nazi Reich has esSayed
its bold thrust in the midst of critical
European situation deemed favorable to
its program. Despite Mussolini's readi-
ness to accept conqueror's peace" the
Ethiopian conflict still briStles with
grave possibilities, and European compli-
cations are not yet by any means entirely
out of the question. Hitler indubitably
has sought to exploit these explosive con-
ditions as an ideal opportunity for uni
lateral repudiation of the last remaining
treaty commitment irking the Nazi soul.
While carrying out this crowning piece
of international lawlessness in typical
mailed fist fashion, Hitler offers to enter
into a series of new treaties. He is
ready to re-enter the League Of Nations,
conclude Western European air pact,
and sign mutual demilitarization agree
ments with Germany's neighbors and
also a non-aggression pact to run for
twenty five years. The Fuehrer can
hardly in his inner consciousness
seriously believe that his latest per-
formance will inspire foreign govern
ments to repose confidence in a Nazi
signature to future international engage
ments. They will be inclined to fear
that Hitler would abide by such pledge
only so long as it suited Nazi purposes
to do so, and no longer. While such a
spirit reigns at Berlin, the world is
likely to have little faith in the Reich's
word or in its protestations of desire
to live at peace with its neighbors,
especially those within the orbit of the
se-established Watch on the Rhine"
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