Evening star., 1939-08-20

guessing as to what the dlctators really
intend to do Have they finally and ir-
revocably made up their own minds? If
one only knew what the axis powers
have been planning at their many Joint
and several conferences recently, then
one could give the answer to that ques-
ton. Upon it depends the issue of
peace or war.
These momentous interviews have not
been arranged merely to exchange cour-
tesies. 1t is, of course, possible that the
uell-advertised visits to Salzburg and
Berchteseaoen may Just be piece OF
elaborate play acting designed to M
press and intimidate the tlmorouS oenoc-
racies who have hitherto retreateo
before every threat These dramatic per-
formances no doubt constitute an essen
tial part of the mechanism OF DUN at
4 which the dictators are such past mas
ters, But they must mean more tnah
that.
Hitler and MuSsolini are not mere
buffers and we shall be guilty OF ca
lamitous error if we think so ana pro-
ceed upon that conclusion. After ALL
Mussolini did invade and overrun Abys-
sinia. In spite of economic sanctions
which hit Italy very hard, he occupied
Adds Ababa He has also actually con-
uuered and annexed Albania.
Hitler's destruction of the independ-
ence of Austria and Czecho-Slovakla
was not altogether bluff. He moblllzed
his troops, marched them across the
frontiers, entered the capitals OF these
two states, annexed them to the Reich.
The same applied to Memel These two
s flibusters also waged real war in demo-
cratic Spain and by force of arms added
1t to the number of Fascist powers in
the world.
Dictators Can't Bluff Now.
I can hardly believe that the dicta-
tors would play so dangerous game
If they had decided beforehand to re-
treat as soon as their bluff was called.
They have already gone too far to risk
the inevitable loss of prestige which
would ensue if they now backed out OF
their demands without striking blow.
Hitler has modified an army OF
100000 men to enforce his demand that
Danzig should become once more an
integral part of the Reich. Mussolini
has called to the colors an immense
force to support his claims about Jibuti
and Tunis. To demobilize without
achieving these aims would destroy the
Z glamour which alone sustains the author
: ity of the dictators. That is why I am
convinced that Hitler will risk war
rather than withdraw from his often
avowed intention to secure the full res
toration of Danzig to Germany.
In comments on the Danzig situation
there is one fundamental fact generally
ignored-that Danzig has during the
course of the past few months, become
gradually at least nine-tenths German.
There is great deal of talk about the
period of waiting before Hitler reveals
his intention about Danzig Actually,
there has been no halt. He has without
cease been moving forward, step by
step, toward his goal
Danzig is no longer a detached Free
City under the supreme control of the
League of Nations. The commissioner
chosen by the League has no longer any
effective authority over the city. The
Gauleiter appointed by the Fuehrer has
for all practical purposes taken his place
and far more. Gauleiter Forster is a
regional governor directly responsible to
the German Fuehrer. The Danzig flag
is the sWastika. 1t has, in defiance of
the treaty, erected formidable redoubts
against Poland. Guns and ammunition
have poured in from East Prussia.
Danzig has raised an army of its own.
Its leaders ostentatiously take their
orders direct from Berlin and not from
Geneva. The customs are still nominally
Polish. There is nothing left except to
clear out the Polish officers and declare
7 formally that the city henceforth is to
: be regarded as essential part of Ger
man territory as Breslau or Memel.
Ornivous Incidents Increase.
I have a painful feeling that the last
: few days have brought us very much
nearer the brink of the abyss Incidents
of the kind that precipitate war are
2 becoming more numerous and more
: grave The controlled press of Germany
is becoming more specific as we'll as more
hectoring in its demands. 1t has always
. been truculent; it now is becoming
precise.
Over Danzig there is to be no compro-
mise or conference. Their attitude
toward the Corridor is also more per-
emptory. Still more serious is the fact
that they now declare in unequivocal
terms that Germany will not be satisfied
with the return of Danzig, but that she
means to recover Pomeranla as well, and
that she will tolerate no interference
from any quarter in the prosecution of
her policy. She will not even enter into
any conference with any other power to
discuss the subject Poland is only to be
invited to consider the method of sur
render.
There is much which is obscure in the
situation, but it is clear that there are
two or three decisions by Germany and
Poland, respectively, upon which peace
and war depend. The Fuehrer has now
left no doubt in anyone's mind that he
means to make Danzig once more a
German city. He is prepared to give
facilities to Poland for the transmission
and reception of her goods at the port
perhaps special facilities But as Danzig