Evening star., 1938-09-06
FRENCH ANSWER
HITLER IN KIND
Officials, However, Refuse
to Admit Calling of Men
Is Mobilization.
Ry EDGAR ANSEL MOWRER.

BY EDGAR ANSEL MOWRER,
Chicago Daily News Staff Correspondent
PARIS, Sept. 6-The French are
now answering Reichsfuehrer Adolf
Hitler's show of force by show OF
force and mobiizing 1t is not ad-
nitted in Paris that this is mobiliza-
ton. The French call it calling up
reservists." These men were sum-
moned individually by letter to Join
the colors Immediately None knows
how many.
correspondent crossed two columns of
blue-clad artillerymen with NUM-
tions, all moving eastward. Really,
mobilization began last week, but the
French refused to admit it until yes
terday. This is considered the least
one could possibly do in view of per-
sistent provocation from Berlin.
The French air ministry has been
working overtime. French military
men. in one sense, are almost grateful
to Hitler for having begun his intim-
idatlon campaign long enough ahead
to enable them to take precautions
rather than striking suddenly with
out warning.
Will Answer Force by Force.
But the French public is unan-
imously against war and the French
are willing to forget and forgive Ger
man provocatlons of the past three
Years. Many people would still be
willing to make further concessions
especially at the expense of the Czechs
in order to conciliate Hitler.
But this correspondent has the i'm
preston that they simply do not in
tend to submit to any further black
mail and will answer force by force.
Under German provocation. one
after another OF the countries which
had been tepid or playing a double
policy are beginning to take sides and
declare that they do not intend to sub
NIT to Berlin and would rather fight.
now if necessary alongside the Czechs
than to fight later under uncertain cir
cumStances
The Rumanians, in a semi official
eommunique, yesterday informed the
French that they would support
Prague alongside the Russians. This
means-as foreshadowed in these dis
patches that the way is opened for
Russian infantry support to the Czechs
in case of German attack.
There Is the possibility that the
Rumanians and Russians would not
be alone and might even receive aid
from Western countries since the sea
remains open, thanks to Turkeys al
most certain preference for the Demo-
cratic side. Spain might be left alone
by France unless the Italians entered
the war beside Germany, which is
anything but a foregone conclusion
II Italy remained neutral the French
might decide to allow the Spanish War
to continue.
Democratic Worm Has Turned,
All this, if it means anything means
that the democratic worm has turned.
The real question is whether or not
the Germans believe it.
Travellers reaching Paris from Ber-
lin during the last few days report that
German officials no longer even try to
conceal their real intentions. They
announce coldly that they intend to
take Czechoslovakia" Their appar-
ent plan is to try to run over the
Czech Notifications, which they believe
they could accomplish in three days.
occupy part or all of the Sudeten ter
ritorieS, then cease their offensive and
dig in.
In the meanwhile, they hope, nego-
tiations could be begun and they. hav-
ing possession of the coveted terri
tories, could dictate a new treaty.
This plan implies that probably the
French and certainly the British would
not fight. The German military saw
they do not fear the Russians and do
not fear the French. The French, they
admit. are unconquerable on defense.
but have not, since Napoleon, shown |
the capacity or spirit for offensive |
warfare. Defense would not save
Czechoslovakia. To do that the French |
would have to invade Germany west of
the Rhine.
The Germans hope that their forti-
hcatons are strong enough to prevent
French occupation Of the Palatinate.
The Germans fear a blockade mean
Ing British intervention, and will never
nght II they have to face it. But thev
are convinced that the British will not
fight.
Will Talk But Not Move,
DAILY discussion on this point at the
German foreign office always ends with
the conclusion that the British will
talk but will not really move. This
conviction is the result of Prime Min
lister Neville Chamberlain's policy of
whispering where he should shout.
Sir Neville Henderson, British Am
oassador to Germany, has in his
pocket the text of what is called a
note verable, which is the strongest
warning to Germany to leave the
Czechs alone unless they wish to fight
Britain. 1t has not yet been read
TO the German foreign minister, Col.
Joachim Won Ribbentrop, because the
British consider the situation is not
yet serious enough to warrant it,
The question arises whether, unless
the British begin shouting their de-
termination to defend the Czechs from
the housetops, the Germans will really
believe them. Unless French mobiliza-
ton and the Rumanian statement
cause change of heart in Berlin. the
future looks dark.
The French are expecting Hitler's
decisive speech on September 10. 1t
Is interesting to note that the town of
Meaux. representing just about the
apex OF the German advance to Paris.
twice during the World War, will on
ea turday and Sunday celebrate the
gath anniversary of the Battle of the
Marine with a military parade and re-
ligious ceremonies.