Europe Moves Toward Old Rival Alignments

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 94, 12 July 1927, Page 15

Europe Moves Toward Old Rival Alignments

Russo-German Compact May Be Cause of Trouble AN AMERICAN VIEWPOINT IT was the policy of Prince Bismarck, in the days when he ruled German foreign affairs, to have a close understanding with Russia and to play this understanding against the other Powers of Europe to get the things Germany wanted. He succeeded admirably from the standpoint of the Hohenzollerns, building up the vast empire that almost made itself master of the continent. While • this process was going on, and later developed, Germany became the storm centre of Europe. As the new crisis in European affairs develops, with the British-Rus-sian break and the threat that France and other friends of Britain will follow London’s lead, there is much the same sort of situation, writes Eugene j. Young, in the “San Francisco Chronicle.” Germany has made it evident she intends to keep her understanding with Russia. She has taken over the diplomatic affairs of that country in Britain and Foreign Minister Streseman has announced he does not intend to follow the British example. At the same time he is working for some of the things Germany most wants. And in answer there is a fresh development of hostility on the part of the Allies, who are renewing some of the worst of the old quarrels. Most spectacular is the sudden sword rattling by Premier Mussolini of Italy over the Brenner Pass situation. As is well known, Brenner Pass through the Alps furnishes the easiest road for a German invasion of Italy, as has been proved often to the cost of that nation. Italy now has the pass securely held, but the province surrounding it is inhabited by Germans who have refused to yield to the efforts of Mussolini to make them good Italians. GERMANS FLIRTING WITH AUSTRIA These Germans are renewing their agitation within Austria itself, which the Italians blame on Germany because Berlin is again agitating for the annexation of Austria. Last year Mussolini stopped similar activities by a threat of war, but Germany apparently now feels herself strong enough to push the matter. Mussolini has informed the Italian people, and all others concerned, that: •‘Even if for argument’s sake there were in the Upper Adige hundreds of thousands of pure 100 per cent. Germans, our frontier on the Brenner is sacred and inviolable and we shall defend it if necessary even with war.” He went further by repudiating the Locarno agreement as a solvent of the troubles of Germany in the South and West. “The spirit of Locarno was manufactured,” he said disdainfully. “Gentlemen, the spirit of Locarno today, at scarcely two years' distance, is extraordinarily discoloured.” Two other big related questions that seemed on the road to settlement before Germany helped to inject Russian influence into the European situation have taken on a new gravity. They are the matter of the demolition of the powerful forts Germany erected on the Polish frontier in violation of the Versailles treaty and the evacuation of the Rhineland by the French. Foreign Minister Briand has wanted to settle these affairs. He was willing to accept German assurances of good faith toward Poland and to withdraw some of the French garrison on the Rhine, and he was swinging Premier Poincare in that direction. a Now, however, the French nationalists, who have no faith in - Germany and believe she has a secret agreement with Russia to divide Poland and Central Europe, have been put in the saddle. They will not assent to the Rhineland evacuation until Germany gives proofs that she has really demolished the eastern forts and given other guarantees of peaceful intentions. Germany, on her part, will not permit any inspection of what has been done to these forts, holding that her assurance of compliance with her pledges is sufficient and doubt of these pledges is an attack on her honour. GERMANY TO BRING UP BUNCH OF TROUBLE

Britain has been inclined to take the side of Germany and urge France to accept her word and to make large concessions on the Rhinleand garrison. But when the Russian-German combination came to the fore the London Government changed its attitude and agreed that France was justified in her position. So, in this irritating matter there is a deadlock that may have big consequences in coming moves for the balance of power. Germany is making the opening moves in a counter-attack that will test the strength of the forces that are trying to break up her combination with Russia. It is apparently her design to bring up a series of troublesome questions in the June meeting of the council of the League of Nations, as well as to endeavour to set a backfire on the British. POLAND BETWEEN TWO FIRES Pressure has been applied to Poland, which had been counted among the nations that would follow the British lead in the action against Russia. The Berlin papers and some of the Nationalist leaders have served plain warning on the Poles that if they attempt anything of the sort they will be subjected to a commercial boycott from the German side. Since such a boycott would cut all Polish outlets to the west except through the narrow Danzig corridor it is a serious business. And the Polish papers are recognising its seriousness by demanding assurances that Britain and France will stand by the nation in this crisis and forbid drastic German action. Czecho-Slovakia and Hungary are in tnuch the same position, for they must deal with Germany and Austria in any commerce toward the west. Both are taking pains to let it be known that they are not engaged in anything inimical to German policy'. Before the League of Nations Germany is preparing to raise the question of restoration of some of her colonies as the price of her friendship with Britain and France. She is also again pressing the charge that France is violating the Treaty of Versailles by keeping troops in the Rhineland after Germany has fulfilled her treaty obligations, and been admitted to the League of Nations. She also has a chance to make much trouble with proposals for closer relations with Russia and with insistence on disarmament of all nations or her right to arm on an equal basis.