Evening star., 1938-07-31
Nazis Forget Colonies to Win
Control of Middle Europe
Austria Proves to Be Key in Plan of Economic
Penetration to Place Vast Resources
Under Germanys Influence
BY CONSTANTINE BROWN.
y N MONDAY, the 18th, Lord Hall
fax. austere Britain foreign secre-
tary. prepared to depart for Paris

~ N MONDAY, the 18th, Lord Hall
fax. austere Britain foreign secre-
tary. prepared to depart for Paris
to attend the festivities Of the
French-Brit honeymoon. While his
valet was packing his lordship's bag, his
private secretary announced that Capt
Fritz Weidemann, one of Hitler's trusted
aides. had just dropped from the sky in
London and was anxious to see his excel
lency. Halifax had been apprised of the
captains visit, but did not expect him
quite so soon. He asked his unoficial guest
to come TO his country place for a talk.
Weidemann carried a message of peace
and goodwill from Der Fuehrer 1t was
important, he said, that the British gov
ernment should be fully acquainted with
Germany's last word in foreign policy be-
fore the momentous conversations with
the rulers Of Frances destiny Here is the
gist of Hitler's latest proposal for the paci-
fication Of Europe:
The German government realizes, Weide-
mann said, the aversion in French and
British circles to reopening the colonial
question. Reich leaders are aware that
French, and particularly British, public
opinion feels strongly against the cession
of any parts of their colonial empire to
Germany and Italy. On the other hand,
Hitler and Mussolini have made it clear
that the principal reason why they went on
rampage Is the lack of raw materials
necessary. for the equitable economic and
orf ~ ak4
Italians and Germans. Since discussions
for redistribution of colonies cannot be
opened with any prospect Of success, both
dictators have agreed to limit their colonial
expansion to Europe itself
"Czechoslovakia Essential"
Steps in that direction have already been
taken successfully by the two dictatorships
Franco Is becoming ruler of Spain under
the patronage Of Italy and Germany, and
Austria has already become a part of the
Reich. To complete the program of trans
forming Europe east of the Rhine into a
sphere Of German-Italian development it
is esential that Czechoslovakia be brought
into the German economic and political
axis. No. said Capt Weidemann, Ger
many does not l1arbor any violent inten-
tions toward the Central European repub-
lie. 1t does not wish its destruction and 1t
Is as anxious as Britain to avoid bloodshed
which might throw the whole of Europe
into state of complete anarchy But it is
necessary. In order to avoid such a catas-
trophe, that the Prague leaders understand
that they must throw their lot In with
the Reich, to which they are so closely
bound economically and geographically"
Details were not discussed in this con-
versation. The main outline. however, was
sketched by Hitlers trusted henchman.
Czechoslovakia must decide-before the
end OF the summer-to enter the German
sphere Of influence. Ever since its birth as
an independent nation said Capt. Weide-
mann, the Czech republic has been satel-
lite of France and her ally in the East, the
u S. S. r. Now she need only transfer
her allegiance to the Reich
This message of peace and goodwill was
submitted to Messrs Daladier and Bonnet
by Lord Halifax. The spectacular reaffir-
nation Of French-British friendship might
serve to hasten President Benes' decision
to listen to the pressing advice Of the Brit
ish Minister at Prague ito avoid at any
price violent solution OF the present
German-Czechoslovak misunderstanding"
Paris Knew Of Plan in March.
Germanys plans to transform Central
and Southeastern Europe into modern COL
onies have been known in Paris since March
l3, when Hitler annexed Austria.
Field Marshal Goering, in announcing
his four-year plan, expressed himself with
alarming candor. He indicated that the
Reich intended to make its power reach
as far as the Persian Gulf through me-
thodical and active economic penetration.
Austria Is the key for the execution Of
that vast program Germany intends to
exploit. first of all, the enormous hydraulic
power Of Austria. Goering figures on de-
veloping in the course Of the next four
years no less than 10000 10000 kilowatts
Work on the Tauern River has already be-
gun. The Kaprun project. near Salzburg,
inaugurated last month and scheduled for
completion In 1910. will cost the Reich no
less than s400, 900 900. The Ems River
project costing $3.50, 900. .o00 will yield 620,-
900 kilowatts and will be completed in 1s41
The Traun dam, which will be ready about
the same time. will provide Austria with
water reserve of 54o.o00,0o0 gallons for
its hydraulic power-about the same force
as the Roosevelt Dam in Arizona
The last war proved to the Germans the
vital importance of the Danubian Valley If
the countries Of that sector are not at war
The mineral resources of Hungary, Austria,
Rumania, Yugoslavia and Bulgaria have
not been adequately developed German
tries. have reported to Berlin that these
states, If scientifically exploited have an
almost inexhaustible reserve of raw mate
rails. Besides agricultural products there
are copper. lead. pyrites, iron, chromium,
antimony and manganese in the Balkan
Peninsula. Foreign companies have here
tofore been handicapped in their operations
in this territory by local authorities. Po-
litical jealousies have also played an i'm
portant role in the neglect Of these treas
ures. French and British concerns have
pulled strings in Bucharest or Belgrade
to prevent Italian and German companies
from obtaining the desired concessions, and
vice versa.
Authoritarian Peoples Not Wanted.
But If the authoritarian states were given
. free hand In that section of Europe they
would need no colonies outside E,,rone