"END OF CONCESSIONS"

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20737, 22 February 1939, Page 6

"END OF CONCESSIONS"

Britain has decided that the period of concessions to Germany has ended, according to the Sunday Express. Even if the report is anticipating the event, it is obvious that Britain is now ready and able to take a firmer stand in international affairs. It will be interesting to watch developments in Europe when the Powers know that Britain may no f be intimidated into granting concessions to the power of Germany and Italy. So far the dictators, ever since they completed their armaments programmes, have had the initiative, and many believed Britain was becoming a back number in international diplomacy.

Britain’s strategic retreat was one of the most interesting phases of the European drama. As early as Japan’s invasion of Manchukuo that retreat began, because Britain had so weakened herself in the cause of disarmament that the other Powers did not respect her. Germany’s advance in Europe and Italy 7 s Abyssinian campaign witnessed a continuation of the retreat, and when the Czechoslovakia crisis still found Britain unprepared to bar the way there were many who despaired for the future of the Empire. Mr Chamberlain was subjected to violent criticism for his policy of buying peace with concessions, though the concessions were mostly at the expense of other people. Proof that Mr Chamberlain was wise may not long be delayed. Since the darkest days of the “retreat” the strength of the democracies has been increased tremendously and the real strength of the dictator States has been realised. Italy and Germany would have had a great initial advantage had Britain refused to advise concessions to the extent of going to war. Only now does Britain feel the strength of her right arm, and apparently, as early as is strategically wise, the Foreign Affairs Committee has decided that the “period of concessions to Germany has ended.” There is no doubt that Britain will still exert every possible effort to preserve the peace, but the most important influence may be the knowledge of other Powers that the democracies are no longer defenceless. British patriots will be sQrely disappointed if Britain does not in the near future again take her place as a strong leader in international affairs.