ANXIOUS OUTLOOK

Wairarapa Times-Age, 1 September 1939, Page 5

ANXIOUS OUTLOOK

LITTLE LIGHT AMID EUROPE’S GLOOM Italian Press Advocating World Conference QUESTIONS OF RAW MATERIALS AND COLONIES NEED OF GENERAL SETTLEMENT (By Telegraph.—Press Association—Copyright.) LONDON, August 31. Europe again looks to Herr Hitler, but it is now more apprehensive as the crisis, in the words of the Paris Pi ess, reaches its culminating point. The exact contents of Britain’s latest Note are a close secret, but it will not be long before the world knows whether Herr Hitler’s uncompromising attitude will make war inevitable. There is little light amid Europe’s gloom this morning. What little is discernible comes from Rome, where Signor Mussolini is doing his utmost to prevent a fatal blow. The Italian newspapers are of the opinion that the crisis has spread from the German-Polish dispute to the vastly wider question of giving Italy and Germany a share of the world’s wealth. This is in accordance with Signor Mussolini’s often-repeated belief that a piecemeal settlement would not produce a lasting peace. The Press now urges a European conference to tackle all the outstanding ills, beginning from the assumption that the Versailles Treaty must be scrapped. Such a conference would cover the question of raw materials, colonies, communications and minorities. _ . The representative of the Associated Press of Great Britain in' Rome says that Signor Mussolini and the Foreign Minister, Count Ciano, are considerably concerned over the unyielding attitude of Britain, France and Poland, for which reason it is attempting to induce Herr Hitler to moderate his demands. It is still believed that Signor Mussolini would make a last con- I eiliatory move, provided it is in Italy’s interests, rather than follow t Germany to'war. French Press More Pessimistic The French Press is more pessimistic. “L’Epoque” says the situation is definitely more tense. Herr Hitler has not renounced his intention of destroying Poland. More than ever Britain and France are determined not to betray their pledges, but. despite everything the guns have not yet spoken. Our duty is to remain calm and confident. It is most important that Germany wasted eight days of its war of nerves,-enabling Britain,'France and Poland to press on their military preparations. Other newspapers state tl;e opinion that it is clearer than ever that the final, decision rests with Herr Hitler, but they emphasise that a solution of the Danzig question without a general settlement would not move the danger of war. The Copenhagen correspondent of “The Times” says that the extension of the Polish-military measures is regarded in Berlin with the utmost gravity. Special editions containing the news appeared on the streets, declaring that the Polish decision to mobilise in the midst of the. negotiations is a very serious step which will require a fresh and rapid decision. The “Daily Telegraph’s” Warsaw correspondent says that the Nazi police late last night seized the Danzig central railway station. The Polish railway officials are no longer able to carry out their duties. Rail traffic through the Free City territory is completely at a standstill.