Evening star., 1938-09-12
Showdown.

Showdown.
Repeatedly in recent times, since Hitler
compelled reluctant and resentful
world to think again in terms of world
war, date after date has been fixed as
the one on which the die would be cast.
This September u seems destined at
long last to be truly fateful. Before it
Is over, the German Chancellor will have
spoken presumably decisive word in
Nuremberg, while the Chamberlain cab
met, sitting in emergency session, is
scheduled to define and perhaps cate
gorically and publicly to proclaim that
Great Britain will take her stand along
side France and Russia in defense, of
Czechoslovakia against German agrees
sion. Europe's shattered emotions can
not Indefinitely endure the uncertainty
and tension OF the past few weeks, nor
can mobilized armies, fleets and air
forces, being manned by humans with
correspondingly taut nerves, be expected
to restrain themselves till doomsday.
Craftsmanship has the floor today. 1t
has no time to waste in indecision or
eircumlocution. 1t must act. The zero
hour has struck
Nuremberg and London hold the CEN
ter Of the boards on which the grim
drama Of peace or war is about to be
staged. During the week end there was
prologue which gives some, but by no
means positive, indication Of the course
Of events. All three OF the Nazis' big
guns sounded of. 1t was hardly peace
full note which they doomed. Der Fuehrer
f1red characteristic salvo about Ger
many's unity-come what may" and
about her determination never to capit-
ulate." From Marshal Goering came a
barage that could hardly have been less
provocative. He thundered that I'VE
consider ourselves the masters Of events
that are unavoidable, but will not stand
for injury inflicted upon our (sudeten)
German brethren" The No. Nazi was
not content to glorify the Reich's in
vincibility by land, sea and air and its
capacity to wage war "for thirty years."
He saw fit to hurl downright insults at
Czechoslovakia, which he stigmatized as
3 chit Of a nation, devoid of culture"
To DR.. Goebbels, whose official task in
she Nazi hierarchy Is to keep the wells
Of German public opinion" filled with
anti-democratic poison, fell the routine
duty Of pouring scorn and contempt
upon free civilizations like our own, to
which he devoted a directly contemptu-
Gus mention. To Czechoslovakia Hitlers
minister Of propaganda assigned the role
Of creating another Communist strong
hold in Central Europe" which must be
destroyed.
London's contribution to the ominous
eurtain-raiser was another cryptic policy
announcement. Denying that Sir Neville
Henderson had either had or sought
any interview with Herr Hitler" it is
stated that the Ambassador had had
other contacts" at Nuremberg. Having
received = report Of these, there is
every reason for the British ministers to
feel assured that the views OF his
majesty's government have been fully
conveyed in the proper quarter"
While the Prime Minister manifestly
would convey the impression to all con-
cerned-and, OF course, primarily to
Hitler-that Great Britain will fight if
Czechoslovakia is violated, Mr.. Chamber
lain does not say so. He does not in
fact say a word more than he said in the
House Of Commons on March "a, or than
Sir John Simon said at Lanark on Au-
gust ~. As virtually all European gov
ernments-and there is strong reason to
include the United States Government
consider that nothing but unequivocal
declaration Of British purpose to aid the
C8echs will preserve them from assault,
1t Is disappointing and disquieting that
evasion still seems to hold the fort in
Downing Street. 1t was British hesita-
ton which gave Germany courage to at
tack in 1914. Grave responsibility will
rest upon any London government whose
invncible patience induces it to seal its
lips until it is too late this time.