Evening star., 1939-02-01
Deeds First


official of our State Department was
in London, he was informed by the
British foreign Office that if "ap-
peasement" depends upon restoration
of Germany's colonies, it is by no
means an unbeatable proposition.
But" the Downing Street spokes-
man amplif1ed, adjustment of the
colonial question must be the cornice,
not the corner stone, of recon-
structed temple of European peace"
Germany, in other words, it was
intimated, must do certain things
before she can aspire to recovery of
the overseas possessions taken from
her after the World War More than
once, Hitler has been Informed what
these conditions precedent are. They
include a willingness on the Reich's
part to enter into a binding disarma-
ment agreement, to pledge abandon
ment of air warfare on civilian COM
munities, and formal remuneration
of territorial designs on Germany's
neighbors. Having given specific
proof along those lines of her will to
peace, satisfaction of Germany's CO.
lonial requirements, in one form or
another would automatically enter
the sphere of practical politics.
u discussing before the House of
Commons yesterday Chancellor Hit
ler's Reichstag address, Prime Min
lister Chamberlain said in effect what
the American official first above
mentioned learned in London many
months ago. The British position,
1t is now clear, is unchanged. Lon
don will be found in mood to talk
colonies with Berlin when Berlin
beats pacific words into tangible
deeds indubitably reflective of Nazi
readiness for peace through orderly
negotiation instead of concessions
extorted by bluff and intimidation
on the Munich model.
The Fuehrer on Monday served
public notice that Germany's next
objective is the return Of her former
colonies. He proclaimed the Reichs
readiness, in company with Italy and
Japan, to seek a 'repartition of the
riches of the world" among the ma
tions in proportion to their num-
bers, their courage and their worth"
Hitler did not combine the demand
for colonial restoration with any
threat of direct force, but between
the lines of his speech was ample
implication that if concessions can
be had in no other way, the Fascist
''have nots" might not shrink from
the use of their armed might.
Mr.. Chamberlain, agreeing that the
Chancellor has not spoken like a
man preparing to throw Europe into
another crisis" calls upon him to
back up his talk with concrete evi-
dence" of "desire for peace before
we can enter upon the final settle
ment." If disarmament is infeasible,
says the Prime Minister, 'let us at
least enter into arrangements for a
limitation of ornaments" 1t is not a
tired Britain, or a Britain already
sapped to the breaking point by the
race in armaments, that makes this
appeal. 1t is Britain, the House of
Commons was told, which is nov
beginning to see the results of our
preparations on all sides"-the COM
nissioning of a new warship every
week, industrial plans to treble air
craft output within the year, and the
mobilization of the whole country
for national service"
Hitler now has a golden oppor-
tunity to realize his colonial dreams,
even though in "Mein Kampf" he
scoffed at colonies and urged Ger
many to concentrate on territorial
aggrandizement in Eastern Europe
Widely known, despite Nazi bluster,
Is the fact that the German army,
neither financially, militarily or in
dustrially, is ready for major war;
It is we'll within the range of posi-
bilities that Hitler has put forth his
colonial claims at this time, knowing
the terms on which Britain and
France are prepared to discuss them
and recognizing that Germany's par
ticularly difficult economic position"
makes the hour meet for taking up
the issue on Mr.. Chamberlains basis.