Evening star., 1939-07-16

While military experts throughout
Europe are still predicting crisis OF the
flrst magnitude before this summer is
ended, British diplomats are leaving no
stone unturned to bring the European
end of the axis into conference.
The military observers make their pre-
dictions on cold facts: They know where
the German, the Italian and the Polish
forces are being gathered at present;
they know that there has been increased
military activity in Bulgaria and in
Hungary, with corresponding counter
measures in Rumania. They know the
weakness and the strength of the pos
sible antagonists and draw the conclusion
that the strongest-the Germans and the
ItaGans-cannot afford to wait much
longer before they deliver the fatal blow.
British diplomats think differently.
Even at this moment of intense trouble,
when the guns are all ready to start
barking. they believe that Hitler and
Mussolini can be appeased without much
loss of dignity to the democratic"
countries.
Catastrophe or Conference.
Sir Neville Henderson has been as clear
in his talks with Herr Won Ribbentrop as
Hitler was last September with Mr..
Chamberlain. He told the Germans, be-
fore Chamberlain and Halifax made
their announcements, that Britain will
fight for Danzig, that Europe is con-
fronted with clear problem. The issue
is simple: Catastrophe or conference. 1t
tN iofo To ol, IN t1,o
former case no good can come to any,
body, except possibly the advocates of
the Communist doctrines. In the latter
case, not only Europe but the whole
world, including all the members of the
axis, may become partners in new
period of order and progress. Civiliza-
ton need not sink, the British Ambas-
sador told his German listeners, if Ger
many and Italy do not force the issue.
Sir Neville Henderson, a cool-headed
Scotsman, despite the difficulty of his
position in Berlin, is well regarded by
the German diplomatic circles. Hender-
son was definite in his statement that
Germany need not live under mis-
apprehension that another Munich is
possible. But he added that the road
is wide open for deliberation and con-
sultation among all the interested parties
to bring about solution to the real
problems which are making this world
of ours an unsafe place in which to live.
If Der Fuehrer and II Duce are willing
to accept this theory of consultation
and deloeration without pressure, every
one of the iso-called "insoluble prob
lens" can be taken care of.
Danzig Assuredly German.
AS far as the general public is con-
cerned, the most pressing problem con-
fronting the world today is the question
of the fate of Danzig. Danzig is as pure
German city as London is English or
Paris is French and more so than New
York is American. Nobody, not even
the Poles, can deny that. But the prob
lem is not one of whether or not that
city should enjoy all the Germanic
cultural privileges. 1t happens that the
free city is placed at the mouth of the
Vistula River. AS a miltarized fortress
and naval base it can control Poland's
political and economic life if it is entirely
in the hands of Germany.
4llc 1uJuIe VI bdlGlS lldS Uttll ulS-
cussed between the Germans and the
Poles for several years. The Poles were
quite prepared to do justice to the bulk
Of the German contentious But they be-
came adamant last March. after the
final dismemberment of CZecho- -Slovakia.
when they were convinced that Nazi Ger
many intended to make out of the Free
ifu
The Warsaw government turned to Brit
ain and France for help and broke of
all friendly relations with Germany
they had lasted five solid years-When 1t
was known that Hitler wanted 15-mile
stretch of land through the Corridor,
which would be made into a miniature
Siegfried line
In the opinion of the British, Hitler
has not said the last word as to the
future status of Danzig The Poles be-
lieve he spoke finally in his Reichstag
speech when he answered President
Roosevelt's message of April Is. But Mr.
Chamberlain is stubborn in his decision
to attempt to avoid trouble so long as
there is shadow of possibility that ne
can do so. He has suggested to Hitler
now that he come out with a definite
statement promising and guaranteeing
that Danzig will not be made into a
fortress. If such a promise should be
forthcoming and the guarantees are sat-
isfactory TO the Poles, much could be
accomplished around conference table.
Neither Britain nor France would oppose
the Free City's becoming part of the
Reich again; nor would the Warsaw
government, provided they knew that IT.
would not, in time, become means to a
strangle hold on Poland.
ii Duce Must Be Satisfied.
While the matter of Jibuti the Italian
participation in the administration of
the Suez Canal and the question of Tu-
mis- have been almost forgotten in the
last months, Mussolini is still demanding
his pound of flesh. Hitler is pledged to
his associate to back him through thick
and thin. His claims must be satisfied;
this the British admit freely R,lt tbo,,