Evening star., 1938-07-10
Can British Lion Roar Again?
Is Question Asked by America
Recent 'Sandys' Incident Throws New Light on
Situation: Just How Far Behind Is
England in Rearmament Program?

will complete what British manufacturers
cannot do.
The fleet Is getting ready with typical
British thoroughness. Ship yards are full
Of orders from the Admiralty. Cruisers,
destroyers and submarines are completed
six to eight months ahead Of time.
Recruiting is still slow, but the sporting
Britisher can become q soldier In half the
time it takes to train . peasant Italian or
methodical German.
Come Out Of Torpor.
Diplomatically. the British have come
out Of their torpor The foreign ofice
begins to show keener interest in the
Balkan countries which, heretofore, were
left to the French. King Carol. until
recently ostracized by the court and the
government because Of his amorous in
discretions, has become "likeable fellow"
q topper"
At the suggestion Of the Foreign Once
the Rumanian King took q pleasure trip
to Istanbul on board the yacht which King
Edward-now the Duke OF Windsor
chartered in the summer Of 1886 for an
excursion along the Adriatic coast. Whether
Nine. Lupescu accompanied his majesty
Is not known here. But Carols trip to
Istanbul was not merely an excursion. He
was met there by Kemal Attaturk, presi-
dent dictator Of Turkey. They lunched
together on board the Morning Star and
discussed the positions of their respective
countries in the light of the developing
international situation. Both rulers are
personally sympathetic toward Great
Britain, although they realize their eco
nornic interests must drive them toward
the Reich.
Carol told Attaturk that Britain was will
ing to adopt a more constructive economic
policy in the Near East and the Balkans
She is ready to purchase more-not merely
exploit the natural resources Of these coun-
tries as she has done in the past-and sell
on more liberal terms. Carol said he had
definite information on that matter. His
former premier and present principal ad-
wiser on international affairs, George Tata-
rescu, had cabled him this from London
after being received with good deal OF
attention by the British cabinet.
The two rulers further discussed the
proposition of the British government that
a naval base for at least 200 hydroplanes
be built at Constanza, principal Rumanian
port in the Black Sea- Britain needs such
a base in Eastern Europe, since her Eastern
Mediterranean bases are now menaced by
the Italians. Would Turkey, Carol wanted
to know, be willing to extend facilities to
such an adventure for q consideration?
Kemal is reported to have answered that
Turkey would like to know more about the
consideration; that it expected some sub
stantial compensation.
Equally Active in Greece.
British diplomacy has become equally ac-
tive in Greece during the last few weeks.
There. while King George can be described
as faithful friend of the Empire. his boss,
Premier-Dictator George Metaxas is strong
ly pro-German. AS former German Of
ficer Che had his military training in
German regiment) and as an opponent Of
European democratic ideas. he is definitely
in sympathy with Hitler and Mussolini
Hence, British diplomacy in that section is
making slower progress.
All these quiet activities of the British
foreign office are considered by our diplo-
mats as signs of good omen. They read in
them a confirmation of their theory that
the lion is neither old nor impotent. He
is merely being foxy; he is preparing the
ground solidly before he decides to roar
and jump again.
But technicians shake their heads and
discount Britain's diplomatic moves. They
say that whatever the personal feelings Of
Carol or Kennel the Germans and the
Italians have too much strength. The
mailed fist of the dictators can come down
before either Great Britain or France can
make move. They have before them the
examples of Ethiopia. Austria and China
and these are instructive examples Of mod
ern diplomacy. And the Unconditional tech.
nicians have reluctantly come to the con-
clusion that unless Britain is allowed ampl-
time to complete her military and diplo-
matte preparation, she will not be able to
recover her past strength. Her punche,
will remain a. ineffective a. those OF
schmeling against Louis.
(copyrisht. 1887