EU ROPE SIN CE

VERSA ILLES
EUROPE SINCB VERSAILLES
BY LOW
MARCH
8, 1920

N lttl Lloyd G «o r*« Mllltrand

“ IT WAS TO HAVE SPROUTED OLIVE- BRAN CHES ”
EUROPE SINCE VERSAILLES
A History in One Hundred Cartoons ■
with a Narrative Text

' by '

L O W

HARMONDSWOBTH
<?
PENGUIN BOOKS LIM ITED
MIDDLESEX ENGLAND
3 EAST I 7TH STREET NEW YORK UJ3.A. .
 First Published Ja n u a r y 1940
Reprinted Ja n u a r y 1940
Reprinted Fe b r u a r y 1940
Reprinted a f r i l 1940

MADS AND MUNTtD IN GREAT BRITAIN rOR ftNGUtN BOOKS LTD., BY

WYMAN k IONS LIMITtD, LONDON, READINO AND PAKHNHAM.
 ACKNOW LEDGMENTS

The first sixteen cartoons in this book appeared in the London Star and the.others
in the London Evening Standard. Those on pages 67, 11, 83, 93, 97, 99, 101, 105,
109, 123 and 165 have been printed in the books “ Political Parade ” and “ Low Again ”
(published by The Cresset Press Ltd., London); and those on pages 43, 49, 51 and
53 in “ The Best o f Low ” (published by Jonathan Cape, Ltd., London). Two on
pages 11 and 17 were included in “ Lloyd George and Co.” (published by Allen and
Unwin, Ltd., London). “ A Cartoon History o f Our Times ” (published by Simon
and Schuster, New York) included the cartoons on pages 99, 105, 109, 123, 129, 165,
173, 185, 187 and 195, with others. To the proprietors of these newspapers and
publishing houses I offer my best thanks for their courtesy in permitting reproduction
here.
The cartoons follow their date order of publication, except in one or two cases
where clarity dictates otherwise.
 DRAMATIS PERSONS
BARTHOU, Louis, French Prime Minister, 1913; Foreign Minister, 1934.
BECK, Joseph, Polish Foreign Minister, 1932— 39.
BENES, Eduard, Czechoslovak Foreign Minister, 1918-35; President of Czechoslovakia, 1935-38.
BLUM, Le'on, French Prime Minister, 1930-37. •
BONNET, Georges, French Finance Minister, 1933-34, 1937-38 ; Foreign Minister, 1938-39 ; Minister of Justice,
1939.
BR IA N D , Aristide, French Prime Minister, 1908,1909-11,1915-17, and frequently thereafter Premier and Foreign
Minister till his death.
B R U N IN G , Heinrich, Chancellor of Germany, 1930-32.
CH A M BERLA IN , Sir Austin, British Foreign Secretary, 1924-29.
CH A M BERLA IN, Neville, British Chancellor of the Exchequer, 1923-24, 1931-7; Prime Minister, 1937.
CHAUTEMPS, Camille, French Prime Minister, 1933-34, 1037-38; Vice-Premier, 1938.
CH IC H ER IN , Georgy Vassllievich, Russian Commissar for Foreign Affairs, 1918-29.
CHURCHILL, Winston, British Secretary for War, 1919-21 ;■Chancellor of the Exchequer, 1924-29 ; First Lord
of the Admiralty, 1939. 1' !'-*• fa fca
CIA NO , Edda, daughter of Benito Mussolini (q.v.); married, 1934, Count Galcazzo Ciano (q.v.).
CIA NO , Count Galeazzo, Italian Foreign Minister, 1930.
C O O LID GE, Calvin, President of the United States, 1923-29.
CURZON, of Kedleston, Lord, British Foreign Secretary, 1919-24.
DALADIER, Edouard, French Prime Minister, 1933, 1934, 1938.
DELBOS, Yvoh, French Foreign Minister, 1930-38,
DOLLFUSS, Engelbert, Austrian Chancellor, 1932-34. '
EDEN, Robert Anthony, British Foreign Minister, 1935-38 ; Secretary for Dominion Affairs, 1939,
FLA N D IN , Pierre Etienne, French Prime Minister, 1934-35; Minister of State, 1935-38.
FO CH , Ferdinand, French Military Commander, Generalissimo of Allied Forces in World War from 1918 ; Marshal
of France, 1918.
FRA N CO , General Francisco, Chief of Staff of Spanish Army, 1935 ; Chief of State and Dictator of Spain from
1936.
FUNK , Walther, German Minister of Economics, 1938.
G O B B EL S, P aul Joseph, German Minister of Propaganda, 1933,
G O R IN G , H erm ann W ilhelm , Prussian Prime Minister and German Air Minister, 1933 ; Field-Marshal, 1938.
G R A N D I, Dino, Italian Foreign Minister, 1929-32; Ambassador to Britain, 1932-39 ; Minister of Justice, 1939.
H A L IFA X , Lord, British Viceroy of India, 1928-31; Minister for War, 1935 ; Foreign Minister, 1938.
H E N D E R SO N , A rthur, British Foreign Secretary, 1929-31 ; President of Geneva Disarmament Conference, 1932.
H IN D E N B E R G , Paul von, German Chief of General Staff, 1916-18 ; President of German Reich, 1925-34.
H IT L E R , Adolf, Leader of German Nazi Party, Fiihrer and Chancellor of Germany, 1933.
H O A R E , S ir Samuel, British Foreign Secretary, 1935; First Lord of the Admiralty, 1936-37 Lord Privy Seal,
1939.
H O O V E R , Herbert, President of the United States, 1929-33.
H U LL, Cordell, United States Secretary of State, 1933.
K E L L O G G , Frank B ., United States Ambassador to Britain, 1924 ; Secretary of State, 1925-29.
K R A SSIN , Leonid Borisovich, Russian Delegate to Britain, 1920; Ambassador in London, 1925-26.
LAVAL, Pierre, French Prime Minister, 1931-32, 1935-36 ; Foreign Minister, 1934-35.
LAW , Andrew Bonar, British Deputy Premier, 1919-21; Prime Minister, 1922-23.
LITVINOV, M axim Maximovich, Russian Commissar for Foreign Affairs, 1929-39.
LLOYD G E O RG E, David, British Prime Minister, 1917-22.
M ACDONALD, Jam es Ram say, British Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary, 1924, 1929-31.
M A ISK Y, Ivan Mikhailovich, Russian Ambassador to Great Britain, 1932.
M ILLERA N D , Alexandre, French Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, 1920; President of France, 1921-24.
M OLOTOV, Vyacheslav Mikhailovich, Russian President of Soviet of People's Commissars, 1930; Commissar
for Foreign Affairs, 1939.
M U S S O L IN I, Benito, Duce of Fascist Party and Prime Minister and Dictator of Italy, 1922.
N IT T I, Francesco, Prime Minister of Italy, 1919-20.
PO IN CA RE , Raym ond, French Premier, 1912-13, 1922-24, 1926-29; President of France, 1913-20.
R IB B E N T R O P , Joachim von, German Ambassador to Britain, 1936-38 ; Foreign Minister, 1938.
ROOSEVELT, Franklin Delano, President of the United States, 1933.
SARRAUT, Albert, Prime Minister of France, 1933, 1936.
SCHAGHT, H jalm ar Horace Greely, President of the German Reichsbank, 1924-30, 1933-39; Minister of
Economics, 1934-37; Minister without Portfolio, 1939.
SIM O N , Sir John, British Foreign Secretary, 1931-35 ; Home Secretary, 1935-37 ; Chancellor of the Exchequer,'
1937.
STALIN, Joseph Vissarionovich, General Secretary of the Communist Party of the U.S.S.R., 1922,
ST IM SO N , Henry Lewis, American Secretary of State, 1929-33.
STRANG, W illiam , Counsellor of British Embassy at Moscow, 1932-33 ; British Envoy to U.S.S.R., 1939.
STRESEM AN N, Gustav, Chancellor of German Republic, 1923 ; Foreign Minister, 1923-29.
T A RD IE U , Andre, Prime Minister of.France, 1929, 1930 ; Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, 1932,
VAN ZEELAND, Paul, Belgian Prime Minister, 193G,
 PROLOGUE

The great War of 1914-18 ended with the Versailles Treaty, an instrument far from
perfect. Germany, now a republic, was disarmed and steps were to be taken towards
disarmament all round; the amount of reparations to be paid by the vanquished to
the victors was left in the air to be decided later by experts; alterations in the map took
place in favour of the Allied nations and their friends; Germany was deprived of her
colonies ; President Wilson’s insistence upon the principle of self-determination resulted
in the creation or revival of several more little states (each with its little sovereignty) built
mostly from the ruins of the Russian and Austro-Hungarian, with bits contributed from
the German, ex-Empires. The New World did not give an impression of permanence.
Superimposed on it, however, was the League of Nations, “ the one gain of the war,”
an institution designed for the orderly revision of treaties and the peaceful adjustment
of international differences when and where they arose. „
^ The disassociation of the United States from the League and the reluctance of
Britain to turn the Entente into a full Anglo-French alliance gave France uneasiness
as to her future security, and promised ill for disarmament. Empty coffers in Europe
and the expected demands of the United States, the supreme creditor of all, fore­
shadowed maximum efforts to “ make the Germans pay.” Britain and France were
still backing a series of futile crusades by Czarist generals against Russian bolshevism.
On this disturbed background these cartoons begin.
JU N E 23, 1920-

The Supreme Council of the Peace Conference flitted from holiday resort to holiday
resort (Geneva was not yet a headquarters) adjusting the loose ends of the peace.
The pressure of superior Anglo-French force was, of course, decisive in all arguments.

10
MHlcrand Lloyd Georj#
TH E AN GELS OF PEACE
NOVEMBER 15, 1920

Obstruction to the League of Nations as “ vague idealism ” was offered from the
first by those who found it difficult to change their habits of thought,

12
 * • I

AVGUST 11,1920

On the other hand, hard-headed "realists” then controlling Britain and France
almost began a new full-sized war against Soviet Russia in support of Poland.

14
Lloyd Gcorgt M lllen n d C hurchill
N EW M AZEPPA
M A Y 31, 1920

Good sense prevailed and an Anglo-Soviet Trade Pact was negotiated,

16
JANUARY 24, 1921

Theamount ofreparationstobepaidbyGermanyhadnot yet beenfixed.

18
 Brland Lloyd G t o r j*
" PERHAPS IT W OULD GEE-UP BETTER IF W E LET IT TO U CH EARTH ”
JANUARY 31, 1922

M . Poincare of France was sceptical of the League ideals and began to concentrate
French policy upon “ security,” showing unwillingness to discuss disarmament. A
full Anglo-French alliance was suggested to calm French nerves, but Britain was shy.

20
MA Y 3, 1921

Britain doubted the efficacy of French methods of exacting payment from Germany,
which included the taking over of capital assets.

22
Half a minute! I wohcUr if removing bits of "tVjc machinery really d o « speed up production..

U oyd G to f| « Brland
EFFICIEN CYJX PERTS
AUGUST S, 1922

The attitude of U.S.A., the supreme creditor of all, was one of critical detachment.
PUSH IN THE CORNER
OCTOBER 28, 1922

With the militant PoincarS at one end and the demobilised Lloyd George at the other,
the Entente, far from developing into alliance, became at times somewhat strained.

26

v
 taw
Lloyd Ceort* P o ln o r t
SHOW ING THEIR AFFECTION
JANUARY 5, 1923

Poincare made proposals concerning deliveries of coal by Germany on account of

reparations. Germany refused. French forces entered the Ruhr to collect at the
point of the bayonet. “ You can do nearly'everything with the bayonet—except
pick coal,” said the Ruhr. German finance collapsed with the shock. The young
republic was hard hit.

28
 •— - L i - — ^

THE WRONG W AY
JANUARY 11, 1923

Critics in Britain and elsewhere prophesied that one day the Ruhr adventure would
prove a bad business for everybody.

30
THE BIRD THAT WILL COME HOME TO ROOST
SEPTEMBER 11, 1923

Italy had not done as well as she expected out of the Peace. She had wanted the
Dalmatian coast and a closed Adriatic, but she did not get them. In the disappoint­
ment an Italian dictator arose, Mussolini. His strong-arm boys grabbed the free city
of Fiume and he, cocking a snook at the League, settled an argument with Greece
by occupying Corfu. The League was embarrassed by its first challenge, but dodged
and saved its face.

32
 K u is o lln l P o ln c ir t C td l
THE NEW MEMBER '
OCTOBER 23, 1923

The young German republic, tied by reparations and fatally weakened by the Ruhr
adventure, ;vas now a prey to reactionary elements within.

34
VULTURES
AUGUST 28, 1924

Agreement was reached fixing modified payments of reparations by Germany. Con­

cessions in France’s favour were made at the expense of Britain.

36
MOTHER’S LITTLE SUNSHINE —FATHER'S LITTLE JSHAPO W
APRIL 22, 1923

This relief had come late for German democracy. Reaction had become powerful
and the war-lord Hindenberg had been chosen to succeed the socialist Ebert as
president.

38
 H ln d en b trg
» SAY IT WITH NAILS I "
SEP TEMBER 8, 1925 ■
' '
. *“ «
■'V '
/• • ;

France, still after “ security,” wanted to strengthen the League Covenant by a protocol
: engaging all members to go to the help of any member attacked; but Britain preferred
to concentrate upon Franco«German reconciliation. Germany, France, Britain,;
Belgium and Italy signed the Locarno Pact, and Britain and Italy guaranteed both
Germany and France against attack by each other. The war was over. (But France
— v still occupied Germany’s Rhineland).
DECEMBER 8, 1927

Germany was for the-first time admitted to the League of Nations—but on apoor-
relation basis. The Locarno Pact was not to be such a friendly affair between equals
as had promised.

42
S trm m tn n M ussolini A u ttc n C h tm b trliln B rltn d C o o lld |«
STUFFED ANIMALS FOR A NERVOUS CNlLD
MARCH 15, 1928

The appointed talks on disarmament could now begin. Litvinov, for Russia,
: . suggested that the way to produce disarmament was for all the nations to disarm.
This was felt to be a joke in very bad taste at France’s expense.
L it v in o v Brlind Chambcrl&fn Musiotini
TICKLING THEM THROUGH THE CRACKS
JULY 24, 1928

Suggestions for encouraging disarmament were offered. Briand of France' favoured

an all-round contribution of forces to an international police. (Objection by Britain.)
Kellogg of U.S.A. proposed a pact to outlaw nations that made war “ as a political
policy.” In making his pact acceptable to various national egotisms it developed
many loopholes; but after it any nation that started a fight was careful not to call
it a “ war.”

46
C hlch »rln " K tllo jj A u it t n Ch»m b»rl«in S trm m m n B rltn d M uisollnl
THE AUTOGRAPH HUNTER
 1 ' 1

SEPTEMBER 10, 1928

The holding of autumn military manoeuvres of the French and British armies of
occupation in the Rhineland was thought by Germany to be-not quite in the spirit
of Locarno.

48
 P a ln e t r i B rlin d S ir« K m » n n D
FRENCH DEMONSTRATION OF THE NEW PEACE SPIRIT IN EUROPEAN AFFAIRS
DECEMBER 21% 1928

The tenth anniversary of Peace.

JULY 13, 1929

U.S.A., embarrassed by the disorganisation of trade caused by payment of debts

and reparations, build a record tariff to keep out foreign goods.
MARCH 11, 1930

After much preparation there followed a conference of sea powers to try to limit
navies. France was unwilling to reduce her demands unless Britain and U.S.A.
would guarantee her security. Rivalry between France and Italy prevented agree­
ment so far as they were concerned.

54
B rlin d Stlmson M»cdon»ld Gr»ndl
LE BEAU GESTB
SEPTEMBER 13, 1930

Then Briand of France talked of European federation. Germany hinted that a revision
of treaty settlements should be an essential accompaniment. Hint not taken. Subject
dropped.

56
SEPTEMBER 27, 1930

Chaos and frustration produced their effects in Germany. Adolf Hitler came
to the front.

58
 A
<

Hltl»r
LITTLE ADOLF TRIES ON THE SPIKED MOUSTACHE
NOVEMBER 24,1930

The payment so far of Europe’s debts to U.S.A. had drained off the world’s gold
into American safety vaults. Currency problems in Europe became acute. U.S.A.
asked itself how to sell goods to customer countries which had nothing with which
to pay for them but their own goods, which U.S.A. did not want.
GOLDEN SYMPATHY
SEPTEMBER 29, 1931

Currency shortage and the inability of modern states to function on an exchange of

one another’s goods alone, caused almost a sit-down stoppage in world trade.

62
DECEMBER 3, 1931

Tariffs and restrictions everywhere against her goods made it impossible for Germany
to export in sufficient volume to pay her reparation debts or the interest on her loans.
 . And i propot*,
a**tU m «n, f t a f urf tend;/;gg£,
iTMftfMT!

6 *. debtor Anofotr billion '•;& »£ w&mmm

<r fr o 1b t* rty H'fti on uftT.l v^T^v WM*An<W$
u* t*n ^imk eJh*r 1b do flwT U.i ‘ m 1» T T H m T~
-

THE ELEVENTH YEAR OF IT

DECEMBER 12\1931

Trade stagnation and over-production ran the “ normal curve of the Trade Cycle ”
vertically over a precipice. The U.S.A. banking system blew up. A world-wide
slump set in.

66
H o o ver
THE LAND WHERE THE STREETS ARE PAVED WITH GOLD
JA N U A R Y 12, 1932

U.S.A. tightened its belt, chided Europe for its extravagance on armaments and-
halted its loans. Reparations and other financial arrangements in Europe took a dive.

68
MARCH 21, 1932

Moves towards a German-Austrian economic “ anschluss ” were blocked by France,

which desired a less exclusive arrangement.

70 /
 Tirdliu BrUnln*
THB BLUB DANUBE W ALTZ
■t . ; .
JUNE,27, 1932

, At long last the Disarmament Conference began. U.S.A., suggested that if European
nations disarmed they would be better able to pay their debts. European nations
replied that if they did not have to extract the debts from each other they might be
better able to disarm. . . . Britain (which had a navy) objected to cutting down
navies, but didn’t mind cutting down armies. France (which had an army) objected
to cutting down armies, but didn’t mind cutting down navies. . . . Proposals for
government control of arms production were defeated. . . . Britain produced a
plan for disarmament in stages after 4 years, Germany meanwhile remaining disarmed.

,72
FEBRUARY 20, 1933

Air disarmament was found to be difficult, unless the principle of internationalism

* and the idea of an air police force were accepted. “ Patriotic ” interests in various
countries opposed both, but expressed their willingness to hope that in future wars
no one would drop bombs.

74
N EXT BIG FLIGHT
JUNE 21, 1933

■ ' ' * ' '

Crisis in Germany brought political convulsions, culminating in the rise to power
of the “ Nazi ” Party, led by Hitler, who announced himself as the saviour of Europe
from Bolshevism. He suppressed all opposition and re-organized Germany along
totalitarian lines. Hitler had openly stated his policy: to disintegrate the world
order in which Germany, being deficient in raw materials, was dependent upon friendly
collaboration of Other nations, and to produce by territorial and political expansion
a Greater Germany which would have absolute freedom of political action. In other
words, his aim was German dominion over Europe. Observers thought this was
- wind.

76
,, H itler
ALL BLOWN UP AND NOWHERE TO OO
OCTOBER 12, 1933

.Hitler's violent speeches and acts caused self-protective moves by other European
nations. .
 D o llfu jl H lt ltr
THE UNINTENTIONAL CUPID
MAY 9, 1933

Signs were early forthcoming that Nazi Germany had designs on Austria.

80
FEBRUARY 28, 1934

Dr. Dollfuss’ Austria, on balance, inclined to Mussolini’s Italy.

82
MICKY MOUSE SEEKS PROTECTION
JUNE 12, 1933

, Meanwhile, to keep the Disarmament Conference company, a World Economic

Conference met to abate the world slump by international collaboration. The Con­
ference started by asking U.S.A. to support a reformed gold standard and to relax
its debts attitude. U.S.A. said no, but asked the rest of the world to relax its
hidebound nationalism. The Conference, crestfallen, went home.

84
CONFERENCE TO DECIDE WHETHER EVERYONE SHALL PULL TOGETHER
AUGUST 1, 1933

After that all nations proceeded to dig themselves in for a long winter.

\
 r^ g f
C IV ILIZ A T IO N , 1933
SEPTEMBER 21, 1933

The Nazi trial of the alleged “ red ” incendiaries of the German Reichstag, with its
anti-moral background of terrorism and persecution, was closely followed abroad.

88
G o b b e li G o rin * H itle r
* TRIAL OF A TRIAL
OCTOBER 2, 1933

The Hitler policy logically involved the destruction of all existing institutions up­
holding international law and order. He attacked the League of Nations on the
favourable ground of the failure of disarmament. Because the rest of Europe had failed
to disarm, Hitler denounced the disarmament clauses of the Versailles Treaty.

90
OCTOBER 18, 1933

Hitler withdrew Germany from the League, with warmth of expression designed
to set fire (metaphorically) to the whole Geneva edifice. Germany went march­
ing . . . to the suppression of Communismi” said Hitler. The League condemned.

92
H itter M ussolini D aladicr Sim on
IT WORKED AT THE REICHSTAG—-WHY NOT HERE ? '
NOVEMBER 9, 1933

France, Britain, and Austria, three countries intimately affected, wanted to talk things
over, but Hitler and his friends were “ difficult.”

I '

94
\ . . ......................................................... ,
G o b b e li G o rln t H itle r S trra u t D o llfim Sim on
THE DIFFICULTY OF SHAKING HANDS WITH GODS
•JANUARY 19, 1933

The invasion of Manchuria by Japan had been the second and a vital challenge for
the League, where it was unanimously denounced as violating treaties and pledges.
Britain, however, thought of the risks in Europe and persuaded the League to lie
down under it. The latter’s spine was thereby seriously dislocated.
iwimmninnmmmt1
APRIL 25, 1934

Japan resigned from the League and conquered Manchuria, announcing her intention
to found a new order in which Western powers could have no place.

98
"T H E OPEN DO O R” POLICY IN CHINA
AUGUST 4, 1937

- '. . f _ _ '

With expressions of profound sorrow for the Chinese, Japan proceeded then to attempt
the conquest of all China.

100
GOODWILL FLIGHT
, MA Y 15, 1934

In Europe Britain now sought to reconcile Nazi Germany’s demand for “ equality ”
with France’s insistence upon “ security.” Suggestions of pacts of mutual assistance
and collective security were advanced.' The situation remained delicate.

102
 Sim on
THE BRIDGE OF SIMON’S SIGHS
MA Y 23, 1937

Circumstances became too much for the Disarmament Conference which had by
this time come down to arguing about the number of bolts and nuts on a tank. It
adjourned.

104
TH E CONFERENCE EXCUSES ITSELF
I
JUNE 20, 1934

In Soviet Russia, the theory of World Revolution had long been abandoned and its
chief protagonist, Trotsky, exiled. The Soviet Government had enjoyed normal
relations with Germany and Italy, despite, latterly, their anti-Communist front. It
now offered to make a German-Soviet pact of non-aggression. Hitler declined.
He needed the “ Peril of Bolshevism ” as an excuse for increasing armaments.

106
G 6 b b « lj H lt ltr G o rin * L itvin ov
ALL MUST NOT BE QUIET ON THE EASTERN FRONT
■i
JULY 3, 1934

In the name of “ German unity ” Hitler had suppressed Jews, Communists, Liberals,
Catholics, Freemasons, and Christians. Now a purge of the Nazi “ left wing ” took
place in which large numbers, including many leaders, were killed.

108
 H itle r G o b b e ls G o rin *
THEY SALUTE WITH BOTH HA£IDS NOW
SEPTEMBER 14, 1934

Soviet Russia had been a pariah to the Western democracies. Invited by France, it
now rejoined the European community of nations and entered the League, taking
the seat lately warmed by Nazi Germany. There was gnashing of teeth in Berlin—
and elsewhere—at this addition to the League strength.

110
 Litvino v B «rth ou Sim on
NEW MEMBER
JULY 20, 1934

After signing a League pact of mutual assistance with Soviet Russia and Czecho­
slovakia, France now aimed at signing up in a Bloc all those Eastern European nations
willing to .resist aggression. Germany was invited, but Hitler declined to sign any­
thing with Soviet Russia.

112 '
M uuoltnl H ltl«r B trth o u Lltvlnoy Slm cn
PLAYTIME IN THE EUROPEAN NURSERY It
APRIL 5, 1935

A year later Hitler was still refusing to join any peace pact to which Soviet Russia
was a party.

1J4
Sim on U v il M ussolini Stalin • Edtn H lt l.r
ALL QUIET ON THE EASTERN FRONT
M AY 1, 1935

As German armaments mounted, the League condemned, but Italy, Britain and
France individually avoided responsibility for initiative.

116
JUNE 24, 1935

A conference of Britain, France and Italy, to heal differences and to build up collective
security, took place at Stresa. The proceedings were slippery. Britain made a
naval pact with Nazi Germany when nobody was looking. It was rumoured that
there was a private understanding—or misunderstanding—between Mussolini and
the French Prime Minister about Abyssinia.

118
U v tl Munollnl Edtn
MEDITERRANEAN CRAFT
FEBRUARY 15, 1935

In autumn, 1935, Mussolini flouted treaties and pledges and, protesting impatience
with League procedure (and in pursuance of the private understanding—or mis-
* understanding—with M. Laval at Stresa), invaded Abyssinia. The League of
Nations again was put to a vital test.

120
 IK E LEAGUE ? pm ! THE LEAGUE 'S COMItMPrtBLE’ '
THE LEAGUE CAM DO NOTHING !

ia u t
Simon Lml M un o lln l
SELF-PORTRAIT
OCTOBER 18, 1935

To general surprise, the League lined up bravely. Fifty states, led by Britain,
condemned the aggressor. The League applied sanctions against him promptly
. . . but without resolution. France’s Prime Minister preferred Stresa and would
not run the risks of collective security. League action was thwarted.

122
Mussolini Litvin o v Laval E dtn
THE STRENGTH OF A CHAIN IS THAT OF ITS WEAKEST LINK ”
OCTOBER 12, 1935

Abyssinia was conquered. Mussolini withdrew Italy from the League because it would
not give three cheers for his conquest.
BARBARISM CIVILIZATION
JANUARY 17, 1936

The Navy Treaty limiting the navies of Britain, Japan, and U.S.A. expired and a
conference to renew it failed. Japan demanded parity (that is, a fleet as big as both
the British and U.S.A. Pacific fleets put together), otherwise no treaty. There was
no treaty with Japan.

126
HON. COMMON UPPER LIMIT—YES, PLEASE t
NOVEMBER 21, 1934

It was obvious that* failing co-operation between U.S.A. and British navies,
now ruled the waves in the Pacific.
RULE JAPAN NIA
SEPTEMBER 13, 1935

Nazi Germany had taken advantage of the League’s attention to the Italo-Abyssinian
war to break the Versailles Treaty and to reintroduce conscription. It sounded bad
for the League.

130
LAST POST OR REVEILLE ?
MARCH 4, 1936

Hitler explained that his towering armaments were necessary as defence from the
armaments of others. Nazi leaders pointed out the tremendous menace of Soviet
Russia.

132
 m m i
liplll
Ife p f

COUNTER
FORCE

?~<k SS
^ £| p f
Can't we come to some arrangement'fo
stop you follow ing me around ?

H itle r
PEACE GESTURE
«
MARCH 11, 1936

France’s excuse for keeping clear of the Italo-Abyssinian war was the uncertainty as
to Hitler’s next move. In March, 1936, the Anglo-French coolness gave Hitler the
cue to violate the treaty of Locarno and to re-occupy and fortify the Rhineland. At
the same time he produced a “ Peace Plan.”

*
‘4

134
MARCH 30, 1936

Hitler’s “ Peace Plan” was found to require the break-up of the French-British-
Russian combination. Unacceptable.

136
Litvinov Flandln Ed«n H lt ltr
LEAP YEAR.—THE WRONG W AY TO PROPOSE
' APRIL 15, 1936

Between the French policy of “ resistance to Germany and persuasion to Italy "
and the British policy of “ resistance to Italy and persuasion to Germany ” the forces
working for peace were off balance.

138
PIECE DE RESISTANCE H lt ltr
JU LY 5, 1936

Hitler had already won the preliminaries of his policy by confusing, dividing and
demoralising his opponents.

140
 H itler Eden Litvinov Blum
WAITING FOR THE WINDFALLS
AVGUST 28, 1936

Meanwhile, Stalin, Lenin’s successor as leader of Soviet Russia, showed that, by

monopoly of political power and by successive “ purges” of his opponents, he had
noted the 'methods of his Fascist and Nazi rivals.
NOVEMBER 8, 1937

Italy and Germany, both evacuees from the League and denounced as treaty-breakers
by world opinion, had found it profitable to cover each other’s diplomatic rearguard.
With Japan, the third League black sheep, they now united officially in the “ Anti-
comintern Axis,” to work together for mutual advantage and to suppress Bolshevism
(which now included anything that opposed them).

/
144
 M uito lln l H ltl« r
THE DIFFICULTY WILL ARISE WHEN SOMEONE WANTS TO GO SOMEWHERE K
SEPTEMBER 18, 1935

V-'
Hitler asked for the return of the German ex-colonies. Britain proposed an “ Open
Door ” arrangement with a fair ,share-out of raw materials to all needful states. But
Hitler wanted not the mere fruits of colonies, but the colonies themselves as spring­
boards for his proclaimed “ world crusade against Bolshevism.”

146
 '\

H itle r H o>r«
“ GERMANY MUST IMPORT RAW MATERIALS, YA I—
BUT SHE MUST ALSO EXPORT MANUFACTURES I ”
JANUARY 25, 1937

Nazi economic plans were announced which made it clear to all that the parties in
Europe were at cross purposes—that while the economics of the democracies aimed
at peace, those of Hitler aimed at war.

148 >
FEBRUARY 3, 1937

Hitler from time to time made nebulous “ peace offers,” but efforts to bring him
down to detail were invariably futile.

150
Eden Blum D elbos
“ STICK TO IT, LADS I WE'VE NEARLY GOT ONE FOOT IN I ”
MARCH 15, 1937

At last, more specific than usual, he made a “ gesture ” to Britain and France jointly:
if France would cancel her pact with Soviet Russia he would guarantee to keep peace
in the West. He would give no undertaking concerning the East.

• 152
«• r >
 ' H itle r Litvinov
THERE’S ANOTHER SIDE TO IT
JANUARY 13, 1937
t

In Spain, at this time, civil war was in progress. General Franco led a military-fascist
revolt against the democratic government, and was openly supported by Hitler and
Mussolini on the excuse th it they were fighting Bolshevism. In the delicate circum­
stances France and Britain deemed it wise to pretend that all was strictly honourable.

154
H itler Mussolini Eden S tilln Blum

NON-INTERVENTION POKER
JUNE 15, 1938

Despite efforts to obscure the facts it became evident that the Spanish war was, among
other things, a flank movement by the German and Italian dictatorships against the
Western democracies and an attempt to straddle the main route of the British
Empire. .
Cham berlain M uu oiln l
TEST MATCH
JULY 28, 1937
&

On Franco’s victory, Britain expressed her satisfaction that Spain’s integrity was
intact,

158
H itler Franco Mussolini Eden
THE QUESTION OF FRANCO'S EXISTENCE
NOVEMBER 29, 1937

: \

Having failed to disrupt the Franco-Soviet Pact, Hitler turned his efforts to separating
Britain and France. ,
Chautemps Eden Hitler , Mussolini
‘ MOVE UP AND MAKE ROOM ! "
JANUARY 14, 1938

Germany had initiated a four-year economic plan of self-sufficiency to insulate her

war machine from outside influences. Possibilities of reconciliation, therefore, did
not include resumption of world trade or free exchange.

162
GSrlnt- Schacht Van Z e tla n d C ham berlain H ull C h a u ttm p s
HAND OF FRIENDSHIP
FEBRUARY 18, 1938

The failure of League sanctions advertised the powerlessness of the small states of
Europe. Though experts calculated that Hitler’s armaments would not' be ready
to face the risk of world war until 1940, he now turned his psychological war of
propaganda and threats inside-and-out against Austria. Hitler’s friends had already
assassinated Chancellor Dollfuss. Austria, deserted, surrendered.

164
INCREASING PRESSURE
JANUARY 9, 1938

Mussolini’s Italy had a vital interest in free Austria, but as the junior partner of the
Axis he now congratulated Hitler. No one believed that he was pleased to have
Germany at the Brenner Pass, on his very doorstep.

166
Edda Clano Clano M u uo llm > . . .

GRANPA MUSS, GRANPA MUSS, DO YO U SEE ANYO NE COMING 1*

FEBRUARY 11, 1938

If the democracies were anxious, the Axis dictatorships were uneasy too.

168
 '

_ H itler M uuollnl
NO DOZING IN THIS BED
MARCH 16, 1938

The democracies, perceiving the approach of the inevitable, began re-arming at

full speed.

170
APRIL 20, 1938

At the same time, however, British Prime Minister Chamberlain initiated his policy
of “ appeasement.” Britain came to an agreement with Italy, recognising the conquest
of Abyssinia. .
 Mussolini Chamberlain
. HE TOOK WATER AND WASHED HIS HANDS . . .*»
JUNE 17, 1938

Van Zeeland, Premier of Belgium, sought with the blessings of the democracies to
find a way out of the trade stagnation which would satisfy everybody. .
JULY 18, 1938

Austria absorbed, Nazi Germany now turned the “ psychological war ” on Czecho­
slovakia, the best ordered of the post-Versailles states and the keystone of the French
collective security system in the East.

176
JU LY 25, 1938

The now familiar process was employed in Czechoslovakia of fomenting revolt within
* and menacing war without.

178
G o b b tls
KEEPING THE HOME FIRES BURNING
SEPTEMBER 10, 1938

To begin with, Hitler demanded only those parts of Czechoslovakia which contained
Germans (and the Czechoslovakian defence system),

18D
Bentl
" HE ONLY WANTS TO LIE DOWN WITH YOUR LAMB’’
 SEPTEMBER 24, 1938

War with France and Britain seemed imminent, but at the last moment British Prime
/ Minister Chamberlain applied his policy of “ appeasement.” Peace was preserved.
I Czechoslovakia was dismembered. Hitler had got away with it again.

182
C him b«rl»ln > ME1N KAMPF”
SEPTEMBER 30, 1938

Soviet Russia had a pact with France and had been a party to the pact with Czecho­
slovakia and professedly ready to support it. Soviet Russia was not invited to the
four-power talks to draw the new frontier. Hitler disliked Bolshevism.

184
H itle r C ham berlain D aladier Mussolini
WHAT, NO CHAIR FOR ME ?
OCTOBER 3, 1938

Benes, ex-President of Czechoslovakia, joined the other two victims of “ appease­

ment ”—Haile Selassie of Abyssinia and Schuschnigg of Austria. .
f . , ■

186
Hall* S t lu il* . . Schuichnlu AFTER MUNICH B tn «
OCTOBER 10, 1938

/
Czechoslovakia being now defenceless, Hitler bagged her entirely at his ease. The
Nazi “ screw ” began on other adjacent small states.
H itle r
“ EUROPE CAN LOOK FORWARD TO A CHRISTMAS OF PEACE HITLER
NOVEMBER 4, 1938

As usual, a nebulous “ peace offer” had accompanied Hitler’s latest violence. He

protested candidly that he was a man of peace—but HIS peace. If no one opposed
him there would be no war.

190
SPIKEY COURTSHIP
NOVEMBER 9, 1938

The problem of refugees from Central Europe grew to become a world problem.
RISING TIDE
NOVEMBER 23, 1938

■
; Germany needed money. The Jews, hitherto persecuted, were now held to ransom
or dispossessed.

194
“ W HY DON’T YOU GO I"
APRIL 5,. 1939 I

The need to reconstruct collective security was urgent. :Soviet Russia suggested
an immediate meeting of Britain, France, Soviet Russia, Poland, Rumania and Turkey,
to form a peace front. Britain, however, preferred first to arrange a straight-out
British guarantee to Poland, Hitler’s likely next victim. 1

196
B tck C h im berlatn L itvin o v
A PIECE MISSING, TOVARISH
 \ •'

APRIL 18, 1939

President Roosevelt, of U.S.A., sent a message to Hitler offering his services in seeking
a peaceful solution of Germany’s difficulties. Hitler explosively refused.

198
JUNE 9, 1939

After long delay, at last negotiations for an Anglo-French-Russian alliance opened—

but through a minor British official and in a changed Russian atmosphere. Litvinov,
-■ . Soviet Commissar identified with collective security, had resigned.
B o n n tt M oloto v Mulsky C h im b trU In H»llf»x 5tr»n*
ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS TO SIT DOWN
JU LY 29, 1939

It became known that. Nazi Germany, apprehensive of serious opposition at last,

was also seeking a deal with Soviet Russia.
JULY 3, 1939 .
f

In the meantime Britain had made her attitude clear to aggression against Poland.
SEPTEMBER 20, 1939 -

A pact was announced between Nazi Germany and Soviet Russia by which (it transpired
later) it was arranged to defeat and partition Poland. Germany invaded Poland, and
Britain and France declared war.

206
H itle r RENDEZVOUS S u lin

\
 The best of all Low’s Cartoons are published in two
volumes 12" x 9" reproducing each cartoon In full size. Each
volume contains over 150 cartoons and “blimps.” 6/* NET
THE CRESSET PRESS I I F IT Z R O Y SQUARE W1

AND LO IO
P E N G U I N B O O K S

I Photo: Douglas Slocombe

DAVID LOW
is a New Zealander of Scottish-lrish parentage.
He began drawing political cartoon* for the
Press as a small boy, and thereafter was associ-
ated with various newspapers and periodicals
in New Zealand and Australia. In 1919 he
started work In London, and without Inter-
mission since then has followed the trail of
events with at least four cartoons weekly,
contributed latterly to the E V E N I N G
S T A N D A R D . He has produced sixteen
books of caricatures, cartoons and drawings.

H A R M O N D S W O R T H M ID D L E S E X E N G L A N D

aqd

3 EAST 17t h ST REET N E W Y O R K CITY

USA.