TOPICS OF THE DAY

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20736, 21 February 1939, Page 6

TOPICS OF THE DAY

Territorial Ambitions

“Herr Hitler said after Munich (comments the Spectator), that Germany had no more territorial demands in Europe; she is to-day demanding Memel and plainly cherishes ambitions more far-reaching. Signor Mussolini, after the conquest of Abyssinia, declared Italy to be a satisfied nation; she cannot be satisfied to-day without Tunis. There is grave doubt, indeed, whether a dictator can keep his place without perpetually rallying his people to him by the discovery of some new imaginary injustice. But there are limits to that process. The peoples are tiring of incessant stimulation. Dr. Goebbels is ranting into ears that grow deafer daily. The mobilisation in Germany this summer was unpopular. Another mobilisation would be trebly so, particularly if its main reason were support of Italy. Mr Chamberlain is entitled to claim that the peoples of all Europe desire peace earnestly, though it cannot be said that the peoples of all Europe would not fight. If the dictators insist on naked aggression.

no hope of preserving peace remains. But we are not quite compelled to that desperate conclusion. The strength of the peaceful States and the peacefulness of the peoples in all States may turn the scale.”