Salt Lake Telegram | 1939-08-26 | Page 6 | In the Lap of the Gods

In Jn the Lap of the Gods TT S iTS as much as ones one's life tile is worth to risk r A ITS IT'S commenting on the critical European situa situa- tion With the picture changing hourly some sometimes times as in the German Russo-German accord going goin from white to black overnight anything O anything can happen happen happen hap hap- pen between the writing and publication of an editorial But the war threats threat's on everyone's tongue and in everyone's thoughts and the editorial edi edi- tortal page of a newspaper must roust keep pace with what's going o on ot in the world So here goes Despite heavy over Europe the situation is a little more hopeful today than it was the first of the week Several factors indicate indicate indi indi- cate that Hitler may not force an issue at this time although it is admitted that is only a hope not a prediction 1 Britain and France have informed Hitler mUel In no uncertain terms that they will fight if Poland decides to oppose German aggression That presents Hitler with a definite choice of a general European war rather than just a minor military adventure into Poland 2 The result of the Russo German accord has not been entirely favorable to Germany al although although although al- al though it has made Poland much more able Japan is definitely veering away from the axis and cannot be depended on on by Germany for lor or any real assistance Spanish nationalists are shocked by the pact with their quondam enemy and will jump at the pretext to maintain strict neutrality 3 There are reasons to believe that Italy at heart disapproves of the Russian accord and distrusts the Germans They do not want to be dragged into a general war in which they might I well suffer the brunt of the Franco-British Franco attack thus having much to lose for Germanys Germany's sole gain It is even possible that in the pinches Mussolini might refuse to go along with Hitler 4 4 The fact th that t Hitler Friday summoned t the e ambassadors of England France Italy and Japan to special conferences at his own volition volition voli you tion indicates that he is anxious to avoid war and willing to accept some compromise It is noteworthy that Hitler did NOT take th the lead leadIn leadIn leadIn In the Munich compromise of the CzechoSlovakia CzechoSlovakia Czechoslovakia Czecho Czecho- slovakia crisis last year then it was the other nations who were so anxious to avoid war that they sought a compromise solution 5 The German people despite the cloak of secrecy and propaganda which hides from them much of the true state of affairs are at last realizing there Is serious danger of war war and and from all reports they're not very happy about it 6 Fundamentally Germany is not prepared to fight a long grueling general European war t Their economy has already been strained to the RI pi limit in in their war preparation program They lack the finances resources and manpower for fora fori i 3 a big conflict Despite their extensive war preparedness preparedness preparedness pre pre- Germany is basically not as strong as it was in 1914 All these factors must be known to Hitler Balanced against them of course are a lot of wishful thinking delusions of Napoleonic power belief that Germany must strike now or never and preference of a gamble with death to ignominious retreat What the final answer will be is in the lap lapof of of the gods The real hope for peace probably lies in Mussolini's restraining hand for nazi nad purges jurges urges have weeded out all but the sycophants from Hitler's circle of advisers One thing is certain in the view of this writer writer the the longer Hitler now delays striking io the better the chance for peace because the theIron the thern i Iron was hottest immediately after the announcement announcement an an- of the Russo-German Russo accord