Evening star., 1936-03-08
DANGER Of WAR
M|N|M|ZED HERE|
HitIer's Move Finds England
Urprepared-Action Had
Been Anticipated
BY CONSTANTINE BROWN.

The danger of an immediate war
In Europe, as result of Adolf Hit
ler's denunciation of the Versailles
and Locarno treaties, is being mini
mized in diplomatic quarters here.
It is true that a state of nervous
ness and high tension, similar to that
at the end of July. 1914, prevails
again throughout Europe.
1t is equally true that an order of
stand by" for a general mobiliza-
ton has been issued in almost every
country in Europe. Italy and Ger
many have had their forces on war
footing for several months.
Foreign ministers in France and
Belgium do not conceal the fact Eu-
rope and the rest of the world are
faced with an imminent crisis of the
most serious character.
Britain Unprepared.
But despite these ominous signs,
there is still hope war may not
break out yet.
This hope is based mainly on the
fact Great Britain is not prepared for
such an emergency. The British are
not likely to commit the mistake of
1914, when they entered the World
War almost totally unprepared. Fur
thermore, the British are realists, and
are not likely to over-dramatize Hit
1er's gesture.
It has been known for several
months in Paris and London, as well
as in Geneva, that Hitler was bring
ing troops into the demilitarized zone
of the Rhine. He called them police
forces-but that was immaterial. It
also was known that subterranean air
plane hangers had been completed
throughout the Rhineland. The mat
ter OF bringing fighting planes into
that zone is considered in many
quarters in London of secondary inn
portance. Consequently, the fact Hit
Ter has made official what he has been
doing unofficially for almost a year
has not unduly excited British states
men.
Gestures" Now Futile.
If the Reichsfuehrer could be CO.
ClCCu W WlUllul dW tl1CSC Will
out the nations taking risk of hav-
ing major war on their hands, Great
Britain undoubtedly would join the
other nations in any kind Of demon
stration.
But London knows that mere ges-
lures are now futile and the British
empire is hardly prepared to enter
MI ,rtaN viii, re oI,
Of adequate ornaments.
For this reason. it is believed in off,
cial quarters here that the matter of
Germany breaking the Versailles
treaty will be brought first before the
tribunal of the League at Geneva,
where the whole situation will be
pondered, discussed and temporized.
The principal danger of war in
the immediate future lies in the fact
some minor incident outside the di-
rect control of the governments might
precipitate crisis.
Public Creates Situation.
When public opinion has been pre-
pared for war, as in the case with
the European nations. such incidents
can create situations in which govern
ments. reluctant as they may be, are
helpless.
OF course. nobody here takes seri-
ously Hitlers offer to join the League
again: nor is his offer for chain of
security pacts with his direct neigh
bors taken to show Der Fuehrer's
peace intentions.
AS long as Hitler maintains his open
hostile attitude toward the Soviet
government, it is impossible for the
French to enter into any kind of
agreements with the Reich
Luther Sees Peace Effort.
Diplomatic officials here, meanwhile,
are studying the assertion yesterday
by DR.. Hans Luther, German Ambas-
sador, that the Nazi chancellor de-
sired to broaden the basis for peace
in Europe.
Luther, who signed the Locarno pact
for Germany. told newspaper men Hit
ler's denunciation of that treaty was
constructive" move toward peace.
He asserted Germany would live up
to the principles of Locarno when
other signatories did likewise.