The Dominion. SATURDAY, MARCH 25, 1939. THE DOMINIONS AND THE OUTLOOK

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 154, 25 March 1939, Page 10

The Dominion. SATURDAY, MARCH 25, 1939. THE DOMINIONS AND THE OUTLOOK

It is probably true to say that the peoples in the Dominions of the British Commonwealth have a profounder realization of the nature and implications of the situation in Europe than they had during the crisis of September last. Many believed on that occasion that the grievances of the Sudeten Germans in Czechoslovakia, were icai and substantial enough to justify a change in their condition. Lora Runciman’s report partly confirmed them in this attitude. Whatevei was to be said about the political ethics of the proceedings instituted by the German Government, the principles involved did not. loom prominently enough in the public mind to create much. enthusiasm for a major war over the question. The outstanding reactions. weie admiiation for Mr. Chamberlain’s courage and initiative in saving the nation from war, relief that the danger had seemingly passed, and a feeling that the Munich settlement, with its plan of co-operative action, had insured Europe against a repetition of the menace. This sense of relief and complacency has since sustained a rude shock, with the result that there has developed unmistakably a new attitude toward the trend of events. It is realized now that Hen Hitler’s assurances and promises are not to be trusted, and that unless his progress is sharply and very definitely checked the safety and security of the Dominions may be gravely endangered. It is also realized that the Berlin-Rome axis has a military as well as a political significance in the strategy of the situation; that each new gain in territory means a commensurate strengthening of . the strategical situation from the military point of view, thus enabling force to be applied with increasing advantage should any particular political stratagem be threatened with a rebuff. That the significance of all this has reached the inner consciousness of the peoples of the Dominions is evident from the reports that have been published. Public opinion has ranged itself with the British Government in strong resentment against the gangster policies of European aggressors. Canadian feeling, in Septembei curiously apathetic, has been roused for positive action in support of Britain. South Africa, which in September regarded its. responsibility as a purely academic question related to its membership of the League of Nations, is now acutely aware of the threat to the South-West mandated territory. Australia, which very early in the march of events sensed the dangers ahead, has gone practically to the limit of her resources in defence preparations, and her leaders have given repeated assurances of loyalty and support to the Motherland. In New Zealand, also, the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition have given emphatic expressions of their disapproval of totalitarian policies in Europe, and assurances of support in an emergency. It should be remembered, however, that defence measures considered adequate when they were planned some time ago should be greatly amplified and accelerated in the light of what is now happening. This quickening of pulse throughout the Dominions is a reassuring and heartening sign. Whatever their susceptibilities on the score of sovereign status and independence, there can be no question concerning their response and unity with Britain should the occasion unhappily call for their co-operation.