As the Storm Broke

AS THE STORM BROKE WHEN in the early morning of September 1, 1939, the guns of the old Schleswig-Holstein, firing on Westerplatte, announced , the opening of the second World War, the alignment of the powers in the impending conflict, and the nature of the grand strategy which the combatants would follow, were anything but clear. It was obvious that Germany had burned her bridges and, taking the chance of the most terrible consequences for herself and for civilization , was' recklessly attacking poland. It was clear too that Britain and France were fully committed to each other and to Poland's cause. Beyond this, all was uncertainty; and as the end of the first month of war drew 011 the clouds had not dispersed. The diplomatic bombshell which Soviet Russia exploded under the western powers on -August 23-the sudden conclusion of a non-aggr:ession pact with Germany-signalled, as we now know, the imminence of the temporary extinction of Poland. Mr Chamberlain 's campaign, undertaken at the eleventh hour, to build up a great coalition against aggression, had suffered a staggering reverse. Russia had cleared the track for the German war machine; and it soon became evident that the en'igmatic despot in the Kremlin, acting with a coldly cynical treachery which no Romanoff could have bettered, was resolved to have his own share of the spoil, and that a large one. Today, in consequence, Russia, if not actually at war with France and Britain, appears to have an interest in their defeat; and failing developments in her relations with Germany . which, for the moment, at least, may be hoped for rather than expected, it is not impossible that she will work for their defeat in a more or less active fashion.' It is still hard, however, to believe that she really desires a sweeping German victory. To this extent the new understanding between the Brown and Red dictators was a disaster. It is possible, however, that it will yet prove to have its compensations. It has certainly helped to keep Spain neutral, nullifying the danger to the Allies which was latent in General Franco's fascist-aided victory. It is still early to speak of Italy, but that Catholic country, never-enthusiastic over the idea of fighting in a German quarrel, will clearly be still less so now; economic and diplomatic support will probably be the 1 AS THE STORM BROKE WHEN in the early morning of September 1, 1939, the guns of the old Schleswig-Holstein, firing on Westerplatte, announced , the opening of the second World War, the alignment of the powers in the impending conflict, and the nature of the grand strategy which the combatants would follow, were anything but clear. It was obvious that Germany had burned her bridges and, taking the chance of the most terrible consequences for herself and for civilization , was' recklessly attacking poland. It was clear too that Britain and France were fully committed to each other and to Poland's cause. Beyond this, all was uncertainty; and as the end of the first month of war drew 011 the clouds had not dispersed. The diplomatic bombshell which Soviet Russia exploded under the western powers on -August 23-the sudden conclusion of a non-aggr:ession pact with Germany-signalled, as we now know, the imminence of the temporary extinction of Poland. Mr Chamberlain 's campaign, undertaken at the eleventh hour, to build up a great coalition against aggression, had suffered a staggering reverse. Russia had cleared the track for the German war machine; and it soon became evident that the en'igmatic despot in the Kremlin, acting with a coldly cynical treachery which no Romanoff could have bettered, was resolved to have his own share of the spoil, and that a large one. Today, in consequence, Russia, if not actually at war with France and Britain, appears to have an interest in their defeat; and failing developments in her relations with Germany . which, for the moment, at least, may be hoped for rather than expected, it is not impossible that she will work for their defeat in a more or less active fashion.' It is still hard, however, to...