THE ANTI-COMMUNIST TRIPLE ALLIANCE

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 39, 9 November 1937, Page 4

THE ANTI-COMMUNIST TRIPLE ALLIANCE

The new "Triple Allianee" formed by Germany, Italy and Japan is loudly proclaimed by the parties to it as being directly and solely aimed at preventing the spread of the doctrines and practi'.es of Coirtmunism, with the Bnssian Comintern type partieularly in view. Full assurance is given, that apart from this, nsing. a phrase so familiar to ns from our own Prime Minister's lips, "no one need have any fear." At the same time, there is no attempt — probably because it would be nseless — to coneeal the" f act that the alliance is of a distinctly military character, with the possibility of war in the background and joiiit action in it, The representative signatories to this new J>act have indeed by their own words made this pretty clear and, while what they say may ostensibly have special application to Soviet Russia, it may readily be nnderstood as a warning to France, as Russia 's ally, and also to Great Britain, as France 's friend, Xn this relation there is a special significance for Great Britain in the faet that Signor Mussolini's journalistic- mouthpiece, Signor Gayda, deems it worth while to draw special attention to the combined naval power which will be at the disposal of the new alliance. "If," he writes, "the seas become the vehicle for'a propaganda service by Communism, like- the Mediterranean, 'the world' should rememb'er the naval strength of the signatories to the pact." There can scarcely be but the one Great Power to which this warning is partieularly directed. As a matter of fact, it is not very difficult to see that this professed set against the spread of Communism is merely a diplomatic cover for what is in effect a military alliance designed to overaw0 other hesitant Powers, and in this respect it can scarcely but be a very great danger to the peace of the world, As most of us know, the original agreement was en-4 tered into between Germany and Japan alone last November, Italy's adherence to it -is no doubt a result of Signor Mussolini's recent speetacular visit to Berlin. Though its terms have been made public, there Is still a very shrewd suspicion that there has been extension of them that has been kept secret, Neither Germany nor Japan being now a member of the League, there was no obligation on them to register their treaty among the archives of that body and, though Italy is still nominally a member, it is not at alhlikely that Signor Mussolini, who has otherwise set the League at defiance, would feel himself in any way bound in this respect by the provisions fo the Covenant, So it is quite impossible to say what may be the full purpose of the understanding into which these three Powers have entered. It may, however, be said with pretty fair eonfidence that the Communism of which we hear so much is merely a stalking-horse behind which some ulterior purpose is concealed It may possibly be only a big bluff, but, even if so, it is manifestly one backed by a hand so strong that it may need some calling before there is a showyVhen we come to consider this bogey of Communism as set up by Faseist Povers, it is not altogether easy to see any great diff erence between them, at any rate so f ar as the liberty of the subject is concerncd. In Germany and Italy very little, if anything, less than in Russia the outcome has been a purely dictatorial rule, in which the people in the mass have really no say worth speaking about, With Communism of the Russian brand we have como to associate terrorism and violence. But in this regard the differenee is only one of degree when. we come to look at the meanx by whieh Signor Mussolini and Herr Hitler have aehie'ved and maintain their position. ^ Each has resorted to murder and bloodshed to attain dominance. Though each may be something oi a popular idol, neither is so sure of himself that he dare relax any of the severely repressive measures by which the people are kept in subjection. Each ot of them, like M. Stalin, goes in daily fear of life and has to be eontinuaUy surrounded by a strong military bodyguard. This is a strange thing to have to say of two men who are held aloit as being the beloved of their people. _ Communism and Fascism are practically equal enemxes oi .individual lib0rty, and not a few are b'eginning to feel that what we cali Socialism is fast developing along lines that will qualify it to take its place beside them. None of these names smells very sweetly in the nostrils of those desirous of living their own lives in their own way.