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"THE CHINA MAIL, MAY 3, 1938.
Can British Pledges Secure The Way Of Peace?
.
Voices are being raised just now of invasion into France, because British Cabinet and the British At what moment. from Agadir in divers tones demanding that the military obstacles were there people during the previous week down to Aug. 4, 1914, could the Bri- Great Britain shall range herself the least formidable, and that her was whether they should take their tish Liberal Government have given forthwith alongside France and pledged word-given in 1839 and stand by France. They were under the unqualified pledge to France" Soviet Russia and pledge her armed again in 1870-would not hold her no "diplomatic obligation"-in M. which, according to hypothesis support to Czechoslovakia, should back, if she saw a way to profit Poincare's phrase to do so. In the after the event. would have acted her independence be attacked by thereby.
previous formal exchanges of Notes as a sufficiently powerful deterrent Germany.
the They proved to be right in the between
two Governments to Germany? Mr. Churchill's detail- Only thus, it is claimed, can we end. But those who expressed such Great British had emphasised her ed argument on this head in his. be sure of deterring Germany from views were fiercely reproved by full right to determine her course "World Crisis” (Chapter ix.) has seizing a pretext for repeating in those who would not hear a word of action if any contingency arose. never been refuted. Czechoslovakia what she has just against German good faith, and As the days wore on the British What' alone swung all Britain more into line was the Invasion of Bel- so smoothly but ruthlessly accom-' were accused of fomenting the war Cabinet became more and plished in Austria. For Czecho- spirit and hindering the forces divided as to their moral, apart ‘gium. Not till Aug. 2 was Belgian
from their slovakia, like Belgium in. 1914, will which made for peace.
legal, obligations to independence threatened, and the resist the aggressor to the last Germany was as deeply pledged stand by France, and as late as German invaders, so to speak, “car- gasp and, with France and Russia as France or Great Britain to ob- Aug. 1 Grey told the German Am- ried the ultimatum with them. moving swiftly with concerted serve the independence of Belgium;" bassador: "Our hands are still When throughout that slow-moving July ought the British Government measures to her rescue, assurance with what face could the Liberal free." could be made doubly sure by a British Government, then doing its The utmost concession the Bri- to have warned Berlin that the in- firm British pledge, which Germany utmost to arrive at a working un- tish Cabinet made to M. Cambon's vasion of Belgium, meant Britain's knows will be honoured if once it derstanding with Germany, while urgent entreaties prior to the entry into the war, or, supposing be given.
preserving its special friendship actual invasion of Belgium. was a the warning to have been given, Such is the argument, and those with France, have threatened Ger- pledge to deny the passage of the when would it have been effective? who press it boldly say that there many with war if she broke her Straits of Dover, to the German People forget how far advanced would have been no war in 1914 if faith over the independence of Bel- Fleet in case they meditated an at- July was before anxiety became at
northern ports Great Britain had let
of all acute. The British suggestions Germany gium? clearly understand at an earlier As for France and the French France. "It is needless to inquire," mediation were not rejected by Ger- date that she would stand firmly High Command, so little had the wrote Grey in his "Twenty-five many until July 27. The next day by France and Belgium.
the invasion of Belgium Years," "whether the (anti-war) Austria declared war on Serbia, entered into their mind that their group included half or less or more and the die was cast: whole initial plan of campaign was than half the Cabinet:, it was suffi- Whatever may be the right course cient in number and influence to for a British Government to adopt have broken up the Cabinet." to-day, there is no safe or useful Similarly Asquith wrote in his analogy to be found in the courses "Genesis of the War," "It is use- taken or rejected by the British less to speculate upon what might Government in 1914. Such slight have happened, had Germany avoid- superficial resemblances as may be ed the fatal blunder of Belgian detected only emphasise the basic differences of
It is this latter proposition that I desire to examine briefly in a purely objective and historical spirit, in view of the important part which it is bound to play in the circumstances which have now arisen. If it can be upheld, it must be allowed the full weight that belongs to it; if not, it is specious, and may even be a dan- gerous, illusion.
Liberal Reluctance
It sounds after the event-as simple a proposition as the other
idea of
-BY-
J.B. FIRTH
based upon confident assumption
in which that invasion had no place, and had hurriedly to be re- cast at an appalling cost in casual- ties.
once familiar proposition, that if Belgium Not Sounded we had been ready with a great army before August, 1914, Ger- many would have held Austria back at the last moment from insistence on war with Serbia.
Yet it was freely admitted by all the responsible chiefs of the Liber- al Government that at no time after 1906 could they have created an army on 'the scale required to take part in a Continental war, for the reason that the Cabinet would have split in fragments over such a pro- posal and both the Liberal and Labour parties would have fren- ziedly opposed it.
+
tack
on the
violation, but it is certain that the and irreconcilable British nation could not then have the contrast. - gone into war with a united front."
The overwhelming desire` of the British people was to keep out of the war, if that were compatible with honour. The real reason why we could not keep out, wrote Grey, Herr von Kuhlmann (Counsellor was that if we did not stand by of the German Embassy in London France and stand up for Belgium under Lichnowsky) told Lord against this aggression, "we should D'Abernon in 1924 that he and be isolated, discredited and hated, other German diplomats knew prac- and there would be before us noth- tically nothing about the German ing but a miserable and ignoble military plans of campaign, and future.”
The United States Ambassador. certainly were not aware that the 15-year-old Schlieffen plan involv- to London, Dr. Walter H. Page, ing the invasion of Belgium had placed on record his recollections been. firmly adopted. He assured of his momentous-interview-with- of Grey on Tuesday, Aug. 4, after the him, too, that "no exchange
or verbal, British ultimatum had been deb- views, either written
attitude in patched to Germany: concerning England's the Great War had ever formed the
Grey, "Germany," said
"has Only with the utmost difficulty subject of correspondence between violated the neutrality of Belgium. | were the Liberal rank and file re- the Wilhelmstrasse and the Ger- That means bad faith. It means Why? also the end of Belgium's indepen- luctantly induced to support the man Embassy in London." Haldance programme of the Ex- Because Lichnowsky, in Lord dence. But it will.not end with Bel- peditionary Force and the Ter- D'Abernon's view, was considered gium. Next will come Holland and ritorial Army and the Churchill by his chiefs in Berlin "too pro- after Holland, Denmark. This very Big Navy programme.
The La- English" to be trusted overfar. morning the Swedish minister in- bourites steadily, resisted. both. Belgium herself, apparently, was formed me that Germany had made They hated the Entente with Russia never sounded by the German For- overtures to Sweden to come in on because they hated the Russian eign Office as to what would be her Germany's side. This one great autocracy, and they were suspicious attitude in the event of the viola- military Power means to of the French Entente because it tion of Belgian territory until Belgium, Holland and the Scan- sent his in- dinavian States and to subjugate. linked this country indirectly with Bethmann-Hollweg support of Tsardom. If there had famous ultimatum to Brussels de France. England would be for ever been no invasion of Belgium the manding free passage to German contemptible: if it should sit by and British people would have been troops on pain of being treated as see this treaty violated." split in two on the subject of in an enemy. The date of its despatch tervention in the war on the side was Aug. 2. Lord D'Abernon says: At What Moment?
of France and Russia.
"
་
annex.
"On Aug. 3, the-day before the declaration of war, I sat next to
What evidence is there in this A Forecast Rebutted Asquith at luncheon when the recital that the fatal chain of Mr. Lloyd George observes in his King of the Belgians' telegram ar- causation would have been broken rived. Asquith handed it to me and if the British Government had "Memoirs" (vol.. I., p. 67):
by warned the German that Great "It is a misfortune that Sir Ed said. "That will decide action
us.' My strong. Impression is that Britain would in any event take ward Grey did not sooner and more until the telegram arrived he still her stand by France? There is! boldly play this card of our treaty pledges to Belgium. It might have hoped either for peace or if not for peace at least for the possibility, averted war altogether."
Such is the way in which his- of keeping England out." torical truth is perverted, in order "Hands Still Free" to make a case. The possibility of
none.
The German mind was resolved that "The Day" of opportunity had come to settle with Russia, with France, and, if Britain interfered, then with Britain too.
No British Government-least of
the invasion of Belgium hardly Belgium, therefore, was not. in. entered into public discussion until the picture till she declared on all Mr. Asquith's Government in just before the crime was com- Aug. 1 that she would defend her 1914 could think of giving such|| mitted. True, there were those independence, and the day after a pledge without relation to some
years that received the ultimatum from Ber- specific event of transcendant im who had prophesied for Germany would choose that route lin. What had been ́agitating the portance.
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THE CHINA MAIL, MAY 3, 1988.
BERLIN EN FETE FOR DER FUEHRER'S VISIT TO ROME Two Special Trains For Large Entourage Enthusiasm Shown In Germany And
Italy
Berlin, To-day.
ROYAL-
ACADEMY
SUMMER
EXHIBITION
London, To-day.
The Royal Academy Exhibition was opened to the public yester- day and a large crowd saw the
beautiful paintings.
City workers were given a half day's holiday and lined the streets and cheered Herr Hitler as he and his suite drove to the station yesterday to painting of the Coronation which entrain for Rome.
Much interest was shown in a
will be presented to the King. Reuter..
Two special trains drew out of the station at 4.40
p.m. In the first train was Herr Hitler, accom-YANGTSE LEVEL panied by Herr Joachim von Ribbentrop (For-ABOVE TWENTY- eign Minister), Dr. Joseph Goebbels (Propa-YEAR AVERAGE ganda Minister), Rudolf Hess (the Fuehrer's Deputy), and Dr. Frank, and in the second train
River at Hankow and Kiukiang is travelled leading officials of the Foreign Office, two feet higher than the leading members of the party, army and po-average for this season of the year. lice chiefs.
Field-Marshal Goering, who presents Herr Hitler .during latter's absence, addressed the Fuehrer on the platform.
re- the
"Your meeting with Mussolini in Italy," he declared, "will once again manifest the strength of the Rome- Berlin axis.
"The meeting of the greatest men of this century will serve the in- terests of peace of the two peoples and of the world.”—Reuter.
ABLAZE WITH SWASTIKAS
-ITALO-
FRENCH AGREEMENT
Paris, To-day.
The Rome correspondent of the "Le Journal" states newspaper that it is generally expected that the new Italo-French Agreement will be signed on May 14.
Trans-Ocean says that the whole ing in the hour for fortune and of Berlin was ablaze with swastikas victory," concludes the paper. and gaily decked with greenery.
Herr Hitler shook hands at the station with all those who had come to see him off, and then the two special trains, each consist- ing of eleven carriages, pulled out political
of the station.
ITALIAN COMMENT
AXIS' VALUE·
developments
The water level of the Yangtse
20-year
The Hankow watermark showed
a depth of 16 feet 3 inches on April
occur-
19 and 21 feet 3 inches on March 29. This shows a drop of 5 feet early this month, a usual rence at this time of the year.
Water levels at Kiukiang were 16 feet on April 21 and 16 feet 9 in ches on April 12.
SUGGESTIONS OF NEW AXIS AGREEMENTS DISCOUNTED
Berlin, To-day.
Rumours current abroad that written agreements between, Ger- many and Italy would be signed on the occasion of Herr Hitler's visit to Rome, find no confirmation in well-informed quarters..
The fact that Herr Hitler is accompanied by a number of. prominent experts from various Ministries, is not considered as confirmation that enquiries might become. necessary which could be answered immediately by these experts.
The participation of Dr. Gaus, chief of the legal department of the Foreign Office, has caused much speculation, but it is ex- plained that Dr. Gaus has always prominently co-operated in the development of Italo-German relations, and it is considered na- tural that he should go to Rome,
MATTER OF COURSE ·
July and August are the months Due to the of highest water level.
It is declared that as a matter of inadequacy of data at hand river-
course, Hitler and Mussolini will men say reasonably accurate
pre-discuss a number of questions be- dictions cannot be made on the sides those concerning exclusively maximum height the Yangtse may the two countries, but also ques- be expected to reach this summer.tions of general European import- The 20-year average, however, ance, like, Spain, the Mediter- close to 35 feet at Hankow, the flood ranean, the Anschluss, the Anglo- danger height, and it is probable French talks and the Franco- that the river level will not be lower Italian negotiations.
this year.
-Navigation
is
once
depths. between Well-informed circles emphasise Shanghai and Hankow are deter-that the Rome talks will be only to more mutual minded by adding 7 feet 5 inches to establish
regarding important This unanimity "Popolo d'Italia" reviews, the the Kiukiang water level.
which gives the depth of water in Hunter's European current problems with-
Trans-Ocean. brought Germany and Italy to- Island Bluff Channel, the shallowest out formulating concrete details.— gether and gave the Berlin-Rome stretch of channel below Hankow.
Navigation depths to Ichang are Axis such an enormous capacity of resistance. Hitler is a great lead-similarly calculated by adding 7 feet level Rome, To-day.
er, his visit is of greatest import-2 inches to the Shasi water ance and "very unpleasant for which gives the depth of: No. 30 Great prominence is given to the
opponents of Fascism and National Crossing channel, shallowest stretch' visit of the Fuehrer to Rome in Socialism."
below Ichang.
Daily reports of the river for yesterday's papers, here which in
mailed long articles proclaim the import- This visit is a new stage in the points above Kiukiang are ance of the historic meeting of development of the international from Hankow to the Chinese Mari
show Hitler and Mussolini.. Numerous situation and will
both time. Customs authorities but due to picturés bear testimony to the friends and enemies, the axis' mail irregularity sometimes are two adornment of the three cities of value of sacrifice for a mutual weeks or longer in transit. Naples, Florence and Rome, to dis-understanding and unity of
recent data is available for the river plays of Young Fascists and to the strength and faith.-Trans-Ocean. south of Kiukiang, military, naval and air force
.
manoeuvres which will be held' in
honour of the Fuehrer.
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ed photographs of the Fuehrer and the Duce which take up more than half the title page, on the other half which is printed in bold let- ters "Recollections of the Duce's Three members of the crew Visit to Germany."
were the "Siamese Prince" “The Italian, people will never morning charged with vagrancy bẹ- forget the Duce's visit to the Reich fore Mr. R. Edwards at the Cen- and when the Fuehrer of the tral Magistracy and were commit Greater Germay accompanied by ted to the House of Detention. Ex- Mussolini appears before the pulsion orders were made against their them. Italian people, he will win
First,defendant had $85 in hearts. Italy awaits Hitler in joy-
They were Edward Pestana, Amat possession but said it belonged ful anticipation in order to show him how hearts hardened by con- Bin Doolah and Alil Bin Mohamed. the bosun. The ship had sailed flicts and difficulties are capable of They all missed, the boat, which 'Shanghai and it mutual understanding and rejoic- sailed earlier than they expected. when it would return.
was
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