Sleep on Haversacks!

One of Adolf Hitler's more obvious tactics is to keep Europe in such a state of suspense that finally he can persuade his unnerved enemies to give him what he wants. In Nazi Germany this is done by keeping large numbers of men under arms, ready to strike on short notice. Nazi economy has long been attuned to a state of semi-mobilization, but other countries, which must be ready to meet any quick German thrust, find it expensive.

Last week in Europe there were a few signs that fear of immediate war was ebbing. In London war-insurance rates were cut. Belgium discharged one-third of the technical experts recently called to the colors at Antwerp. Generalissimo Francisco Franco demobilized 200,000 Fascist troops. Moreover, it was thought that Dictator Benito Mussolini would scarcely let his beloved daughter, Countess Edda Ciano, sail for Brazil if he were on the warpath.

But 1,500,000 men still marched and countermarched in Germany on "routine" maneuvers. They were enough to keep Poland, France and Great Britain on edge. Poland showed signs of beginning to feel the economic strain of mobilization, but France and Britain let the Nazi Fuehrer know that they were on to his game and that they could afford to hold out longer than he could.

Britain. In the House of Commons, War Secretary Leslie Hore-Belisha, during a debate on Britain's new mobilization procedure, announced new preparedness measures: British Army, Navy and Air Force reserves are to be called for one to six months' service for special training and to bring His Majesty's armed forces up to war strength, ready "if necessary to take the field at short notice." Said dramatic Mr. Hore-Belisha: "It is a time when the nation must sleep on its haversacks."

At a meeting of Conservative Party women in London, Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain used stronger words. He had chatted with former French Premier Leon Blum, who went over to London to try to persuade his British Labor colleagues to accept conscription. M. Blum had told Mr. Chamberlain what he considered the greatest danger of war in Europe today: the impression that Britain and France would not fulfill their promises. The Prime Minister told the ladies:*

"No more deadly mistake could be made and it would be a frightful thing if Europe were to be plunged into war on account of a misunderstanding. Our people have settled down into a mood of fixed resolve, confident in our strength, clear in our conscience. We are not prepared to sit by and see the independence of one country after another successively destroyed." As for Danzig, Mr. Chamberlain said he would be happy to see that question settled, but in the meantime: "If an attempt were made to change the situation by force in such a way as to threaten Polish independence, that would inevitably start a general conflagration in which this country would be involved."

France. Across the Channel in Paris a speech by Premier Edouard Daladier, who has virtually taken over the conduct of foreign relations from appeasement-seeking Foreign Minister Georges Bonnet, got unanimous cheers in the Chamber of Deputies the like of which has not been heard in that dissension-ridden House for many a month. After speaking of immense mobilizations in neighboring countries, M. Daladier scornfully cried:

"They think they can wear out France with this new form of war without battles, this war of uncertainty, of constantly re-newed anxiety and broken hopes, but our determination has not weakened and will not weaken. ... If between peace and war they think to wear us out, we shall hold out as long as necessary. Neither force nor ruse can avail against France. We have taken what military measures we consider necessary. We are not thinking of reducing but rather of increasing them. . . . Whatever may be the diversity and complexity of international problems, there is in reality only one issue in Europe today--thatof domination or collaboration. . . . We know what we must defend--our fatherland and our liberties, our beliefs, and our ideals of human dignity."

From the most reactionary Deputy on the Right to the most radical on the Left came loud, sustained applause. Said Socialist Leader Blum: "We approve entirely." The Right reciprocated by cheering a Communist Deputy who seconded the Premier's stand. On the question of defense, at any rate, France was politically united.

Axis. If Fuhrer Hitler had any answer to this tough talk it was to announce a spectacular tour of inspection of Germany's defenses along the Rhine on the French and Belgian borders. Dictator Mussolini also inspected fortifications along the French border, stopping here & there to make a speech. At Turin he said that:

> War is unnecessary provided the Axis gets its way, and there will be no war if the "knots" in European politics can be untied. He did not name the knots, but his listeners did, shouting "Nice!" "Savoy!" "Corsica!"

> "Those who every morning, perhaps with field glasses reversed, spy for a possible crack or fracture in the Axis, will now be confused and humiliated. Nobody had better nurture ridiculous and superstitious illusions."

> Those who think Italy's internal situation is approaching a "catastrophe" will wait in vain for a "long time still."

> All that Italy and Germany want to do is to eliminate the "system created at Versailles, the system of pointing a pistol at Germany and Italy."

Optimists called II Duce's speech "conciliatory." No one took it to be very warlike.

-For another thing he told them.

This file is automatically generated by a robot program, so reader's discretion is required.