Wairarapa Times-Age MONDAY, JANUARY 16, 1939. UNDERSTANDING IN ROME

Wairarapa Times-Age, 16 January 1939, Page 4

Wairarapa Times-Age MONDAY, JANUARY 16, 1939. UNDERSTANDING IN ROME

ALTHOUGH the Borne .conversations are said to have ended on a note of optimism and to have led to a better understanding between Britain and Italy, any optimism thus awakened is likely to be restrained. Mr Chamberlain’s declared confidence in the goodwill and good faith of the Italian Government and his expressed belief that the conversations will bear fruit in the future, “not only as regards Anglo-Italian relations, but for general European collaboration” would be much more impressive than they are if they derived support from the indicated course of current events.

The British Prime Minister’s cheerful generalities and those embodied in the official communique issued in Home are somewhat discounted, however, by developments in Spain and elsewhere and by the fact that at least one Italian newspaper signalised the conclusion of the by opening a vehement attack on France. Against the talk of understanding there is to be set also the continued efforts of Italy and Germany to build up the Anti-Comintern Pact as a group of nations opposed to the League. It is reported today that Hungary i,s leaving the League and becoming a party to the Anti-Comintern Paet.

Official circles in France are said to be satisfied that the talks in Rome have strikingly demons!rated Anglo-French solidarity, but at the same time: —

It is thought that Italy, backed by Germany, will intensify her campaign against France in coming weeks, probably increasing international tension to the point of a crisis.

As against this sort of thing, vague accounts of cordial exchanges between Mr Chamberlain and Signor Mussolini, and reported assurances by the Brice that he does not envisage hostilities with France, appear to be worth very little.

The plain truth is that fundamental understanding and unimpeded collaboration are impossible, between the democracies and the totalitarian States, while the latter continue to pursue their present aims and to develop their present policies. Apart from whatever trouble Italy may stir up by making demands on France, there is every indication that Signor Mussolini, while talking about peace and disclaiming warlike designs, is determined that the Halo-German aggression in Spain shall be pursued to its logical conclusion. If that is so, all that the Biicc has to say about his own peaceful intentions manifestly is worthless.

Italy and Germany are trading today on the menace of European war. If they are able to carry their invasion of Spain to the point of overthrowing the Republican Government, they will be able to trade more advantageously than ever on the threat of plunging Europe into war if they are not given what they demand. The invasion of Spain by the totalitarian States is meaningless save as being intended to enable them to enlarge their power of aggression, and in particular to threaten British and French territory and communications from Spanish bases. The whole policy and organisation of the totalitarian States is so obviously shaped for war that it is astonishing that they should think it 'worth while to make any profession of peaceful intent. It is also astonishing that the leaders of other nations should think it worth while to talk appeasement to the totalitarian dictators.