It seems to have come as a surprise, even to Signor Gayda, so commonly reported to be Il Duce's mouthpiece, that Germany and Italy should have decided to enter into a military alliance as a result of the conversations at Milan between Count Ciano, and Herr von Ribbentrop, and by reason of that surprise considerable more importance is being given to the news thanism fact justified. From the very commencement of the Rome-Berlin Axis it was made quite plain that the two nations were uniting for the purpose of setting up resistance against Communism. There was not the slightest doubt in the world that in the event of either one or the other being engaged in an ideological war its partner would go to its assistance. If, in fact, there were any such doubt it was removed by the frequent utterances of both leaders definitely stating how much they backed each other, and the lengths they were prepared to go in supporting each other's claims upon other nations. Consequently all that has been done at Milan has been to reduce to a formality an understanding between Italian, and German rulers of a state of affairs which has existed already for some considerable time, and to claim that by ta ing such an action the bonds between Italy and Germany have been strengthened is to exaggerate. In this connection the French view is probably the correct one that this new alliance does not modify the present situation and "only materializes in a dipplomatic document a fact already in exist-
That it has been designed to exert a certain psychological effect upon the Central Europe and Balkan states is quiet probable, but whether that will be to any marked degree is something which only the history of the next few months can demonstrate. A great deal naturally depends upon the form of this new agreement, which seems to be merely the restatement of old understandings. If it is in fact an offensive arid defensive military alliance,—something which has not emerged from the telegrams to hand,—then it is somewhat of a departure from the original ideas of the Axis, but nevertheless, still is no more than a documentary reiteration of what both dictators have said on so well that this should be recognized, as well as the corollary that thereby the international situation in Europe has not been changed to any great extent. No new factor has been introduced, and the doings at Milan consequently take their place as a diplomatic gesture of no particular importance. This must be so in a world in which international good faith has deteriorated to such a degree that the formal commitment of obligations to paper has become something approaching an empty formality to be denounced whenever it suits one party or the other. Bonds have so often been proved to have no more value than mere words that the compilation of a new military pact can have no greater significance than if the understanding between the two nations had continued to be based upon the speeches which the two leaders have uttered. That does not prevent the enquirer from seeking to discover exactly what were the considerations which brought about this new arrangement. It has been suggested with a considerable degree of plausibility that in exchange for this pact which Germany desired, and about which italian public opinion has never been too enthusiastic, Herr Hitler has undertaken that violence will not be used in settling the German-Polish dispute. Italy has consistently been reluctant to engage in war over this matter, and if indeed such an assurance has been given, then Ita secured an advantage which has all along been missing from her relationship with Germany. Undoubtedly the manner with which Signor Mussolini was faced with a fait accompli in connection with the Austrian anschluss led to considerable coolness regarding suggestions for a military alliance, and the fact that such has now been reached, suggests that Germany had to concede something to Italian wishes, which heretofore, have been lightly ignored. If then Rome has secured rather more authority within the limits of the Axis than it had before, it means that the junior partner has had his standing somewhat elevated, and if in its own interests Italy has prevented an outbreak of war over Danzig and the Polish corridor that will amount to a marked achievement.
So much has been said, and so often, about the solidarity of the Rome-Berlin Axis that the impression has been created that the parties to it have all along been protesting too much. It has been claimed that this new arrangement once more demonstrates that solidarity, but the question must naturally arise as to what sort of solidarity it is which requires such frequent demonstration. That question is of importance when the effect of what has occurred at Milan comes to be considered. There are it is true important sections of Japanese opinion which favour entrance into a military alliance with Italy and Germany. Fortunately there are others which are opposed to it as seeing ino particular advantage for Japan, but rather an increase in her commitments. They will naturally ask, why the regularization of an already existent understanding should be evidence of the solidarity about witch there has been so much talk. If the Japanese are nothing else they are certainly realistic, and if they begin to have their suspicions they will not, in the circumstances be unduly criticized. There is but one other aspect of the whole matter which calls for comment.
It has been suggested that this military pact is an answer to the reluctance of M. Daladier to enter into negotiations for a settlement of questions outstanding between France and Italy. There is nothing to indicate that this gesture will have any great effect upon French opinion, which has fully understood the situation in the past, and is quite unlikely to have any misconception of what may happen in the future. French policy, as also British, has been based upon recognition of a state of affairs which is now admitted to exist. For that reason there is very little likelihood of either of those two countries modifying their attitude. They have all along contemplated the possibility of a German-Italian military pact, have conducted their policies consistently with a view to such a possibility, and finding suspicions confirmed are not likely to be over-impressed. The inclusion of other countries signatory to the Anti-Komintern Pact in a military alliance would nowadays come as no great surprise for that has also been regarded as a probability. Thus the only conclusion to be drawn from the whole affair is that, whileitmay havea certain significance to the world at large, it has so long been taken for granted that the reduction of existing understandings to a documentary formality is in present circumstances nothing to arouse undue alarm.
New Trafalgar Square Shanghailanders returning to London will soon find that Trafalgar Square has been changed during their absence. Two new fountains ore being installed in the famous square in memory of Admiral Jellicoe and Admiral Beatty, and will be inaugurated next October. The design is in the hands of Sir Edwin Lutyens and the sculpture groups by Mr. Charles Wheeler and Mr. William McMillan. The idea underlying the sculptured groups is to bring the sea to London. One group represents a sea mother (of human figure but with webbed fingers and fins instead of feet) with sea babies, and the other a sea father, both surrounded by leaping fish. Busts of the two Admirals will contemplate these monsters and streams of water will play about them and from them in all directions. The leading of pipes through the bronze statuary is said to be a difficult task, but there are plenty of fountains in Rome which suggest that 17th century Italy managed it easily enough. The main observation on the new statuary is how London will receive the memorials, London has been very severe on sculptors in recent times. Epstein's statutes on the former British Medical Association building were torn down, Eric Gill's "Prospero and Ariel" on the B.B.C. Building is a subject for hissing and rebuke, and fearful rows over Hardman's statue of Lord Haig will be remembered y everybody. However, Sir Edward Lutyens is usually trustworthy and has produced some beautiful war memorials always excepting the one in Whitehall where, it is only fair to recall he was fettered by the hidden agnostic influences in the Government. At present, the only objectors to the remaking of the Trafalgar Square fountains are the flocks of pigeons which have to fly over to St. James's Park when they want a drink, Communist, Fascist and other demonstrators may have something to say for with these added symbols of national history around the stage setting is somewhat bizarre.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.