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Salient. An Organ of Student Opinion at Victoria College, Wellington, N.Z. Vol. 2, No. 11. June 21, 1939

The Next Move

The Next Move

The hotspot in Europe at present seems to be the Polish Corridor. According to the Polish Census of 1931. out of a total population of 1.086.144 in the Corridor. 976.499 (89.9 per cent.) were Poles and Kashubs). and 109.645 (10.1 percent.) were Germans. Thus-the weight of "race" is considerably in favour of the Poles. However, the usual pre-Austria-Czech debacle press campaign is being curried on by the German press, denouncing the "intolerable terror to which the German minority is being subjected.

Add to this a consensus of opinion from the most reliable sources points to the following—that
(1)Germany seems determined to retrieve the Corridor before a world coalition is formed against her. Chamberlain's guarantee to Poland of 31st March (also for France) "that in the event of any action which clearly threatens Polish independence... his Majesty's Government would feel themselves bound at once to lend the Polish Government all support in their power"... however "there should be no question incapable of solution by peaceful means..." see Austro-Czech wangle for similar statements.
(2)German troops are pouring into Upper Silesia toward the Polish frontier;
(3)School buildings in Eastern Germany are being requisitioned to house soldiers.
(4)The Autostrade leading from Berlin to Koeningsberg (Prussia) has now been completed with the exception of the Corridor stretch which will link Western Germany with Memel.
(5)It is generally believed in Germany, if sufficient German forces are concentrated along the Polish frontier, Poland will be willing to make a deal with Hitler concerning the Corridor question. In order to conclude such a deal, however. Poland would like to get Liebau Harbour as compensation, but this belongs to Latvia at present.

Given no solution to Chamberlain's "difficulties" in way of mutual pact with the U.S.S.R. there seems to be no obstacles in the Nazis way for a "peaceful" solution. And then will come the drive via Slovakia and Ruthenia to the Ukraine and Rumania. Competent observers estimate that when these are reached Britain and France will be at war with Nazi Germany.

—M.L.B.