Aug. 21.
This present week may very well prove to be the most fateful in the history of the world, for it is quite likely that before its end the decision of whether it shall be peace or war will have been taken. The crisis in Europe over the fate of Dunzig is rapidly approaching a climax, and Herr Hitler will shortly have to decide whether he will hold his hand or plunge Europe and perhaps the whole world into war. The. technique of last year is being faithfully copied. In the German press a veritable whirlwind of hate is being displayed against the Poles, and the usual crescendo of tales of atrocities wreaked upon Germans in Poland is just about reaching the utmost fortissimo possible. in the German controlled newspapers. The kites which have been town suggesting that at this late moment a Four Power conference should be held for the purpose of deciding the fate of Danzig have gone the wi not become involved in such a war, for it is obvious that the reduction of Poland by Germany would bring the latter right to. the front door of the Ukraine, upon the riches of which Herr Hitler has'long set his eye. Consequently the completion of the present negotiations at Moscow is likely to be hurried rather than delayed by the rapidly developing international situation, for Moscow fully realizes that an overrun Poland is a direct menace to itself, and, therefore, something which should not be allowed to' occur. All these speculations will probably be decided in the very near future, possibly before the Nazi Party Congress to be held early in September, but if they are decided along the lines which Europe at present so greatly fears that Congress may never be held. Germany will be too busy fighting her war of aggression. That is solely for Herr Hitler to decide, There is no likelihood of the world accepting fait accompli with regard to Danzig, if Poland cares to resist. If Danzig is left alone there will be no war; if it is sought to include it in the Reich and Poland decides to fight, there will be war, but the real decision rests with Herr Hitler, and to abandon his present position would be to admit a defeat.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.