The Waikato Times SATURDAY, MAY 30, 1936. A BREATHING SPACE

Waikato Times, Volume 119, Issue 19899, 30 May 1936, Page 6

The Waikato Times SATURDAY, MAY 30, 1936. A BREATHING SPACE

There has been a period of comparative calm in Europe during the past week or two. The tension created by the militarisation of the Rhine has eased and the Italian armed adventure has destroyed the independence of Abyssinia, but, there are many involved problems to be dealt with in the near future. It is significant that the dictators in Germany and Italy are both doing their utmost to secure an understanding with Great Britain. The Arabs in Palestine may believe that British prestige has been lowered by recent events, but the willingness, not to say eagerness, of both Herr Hitler and Signor Mussolini to establish friendly relations with Downing Street leads to a different conclusion. It is said that the only reason why the German phancellor continues to keep his Foreign Minister in office, despite the fact that he is not a Nazi, is the strong support Freiherr von Neurath gives him in pursuing plans for securing British friendship. The Foreign Minister was formerly German Ambassador in London, and he may return to that post. to further the Chancellor’s! policy.

During the past few days Signor Mussolini has been particularly outspoken regarding relations with Great Britain, probably because he realises that only British support for the League of Nations is keeping economic sanctions in operation. The latest London papers assert that both Germany and Italy are in such desperate financial straits that they want to obtain assistance from London, and the consent of the Government at Westminster would be required~for any public flotation. Another factor that has tended to prevent any marked development has been the Socialist success in the French elections. As usual the formation of a. Government is proving difficult, but the policy of M. Blum and his associ—ates was based on unswerving support of the League of Nations, and that would strengthen the British position for the previous Government in Paris, being anxious to maintain friendly relations with the Fascists, hesitated to support any decision at Geneva likely to hamper Signor Mussolini.

It can be taken for granted that the outwardly quiet period is being used for the purposes of diplomatic negotiations, and developments in Austria and military conversations in Hungary indicate what is going on. In the meantime the British Foreign Secretary, replying to questions on foreign affairs, usually states that Great Britain stands by her commitments under the Covenant of the League and the pants to which she is a party. British policy,,as some shrewd foreign observers have pointed out, does not change much, though Governments may come and go, and just at present more than one leading nation is anxious that Great Britain should be on its side, if not quite so anxious to be on the side of Great Britain.