The Times. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1937. Europe Taking Sides

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 30, 5 February 1937, Page 6

The Times. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1937. Europe Taking Sides

The Soviet pacts and Russian meddling in Spain are rudely followed by the anti-Soviet pacts, between Japan and Germany. What else could we expect? asks Mr. J. L. Garvin, writing in the London Observer. Who so plays at bowls should not be astouished by rubbers. What on earth could the Soviet pacts invite from Germany and others but counter-measures in terms both of alliances and equipment ? The agreements between Moscow, Paris and Prague arranged for the renewed encirclement of the Reich in certain emergencies. Those agreements altered for the worse the whole aspect and outlook in Europe. Herr Hitler’s protests were absolutely fundamental. From that day to this German countermeasures were bound to be of an equally formidable character. It would be sheer humbug or fatuity not to recognise the sequence. It is the old process of “Pressure—counter-pressure —explosion.’’ It is nothing else. The British Government deprecates antagonistic blocs, and says it wishes to avoid them. The thing it deprecates looms large before its eyes. The Soviet bloc is countered by its anti-Soviet bloc. How does this business concern the proper interests and intentions of the British people? Are they to be committed, directly or indirectly, to either of these portentous groups? Are they to be dragged impotently into the vortex of another war by forces which they neither originated nor can hope to control? The flrst necessity in our affairs is to resolve that, as far as in us lies, we shall not be dragged either into a German-led crusade against Russia or a Russian-led jehad against, Germany.