The Press WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 1938. Herr Hitler’s Speech

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22506, 14 September 1938, Page 10

The Press WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 1938. Herr Hitler’s Speech

Herr Hitler's speech leaves the European situation worse but not irretrievable. Earlier cabled summaries by an unfortunate misinterpretation of references to Germany’s frontiers and to her relations with England, conveyed the impression that Herr Hitler had made a dramatic gesture of goodwill. The fuller text now available shows that the reference to Germany’s desire “ not to cross swords with England ” related. not to the present situation, but to the situation which pxisted when the Anglo-Ger-man naval agreement was signed. Any idea that Herr Hitler intended to conciliate the British Government or British public opinion is dispelled by the bitter and malicious attack on British policy in Palestine. The reference to frontiers Turns out to be the reverse of reassuring. “ Germany,” says Herr Hitler, “is defi- “ nitely reconciled to a large number of her “ frontiers”: and he goes on to indicate as plainly as need be that one of the frontiers she does not accept is that which separates the Sudeten Germans from the Third Reich. It should be noted, however, that although the speech contains nothing conciliatory, it has apparently eased the nervous tension in Germany and has been welcomed by many competent foreign observers because it still leaves the door open to a peaceful settlement of the problem of the Sudeten Germans. Thus, the Nuremberg correspondent of the-“ Daily Telegraph” finds among informed Germans the opinion that Herr Hitler has been very astute, that he has “ simply bound himself to find a solution of the “ Czech problem with the greatest possible “ speed,” and thrl, in spite of his sabre-rattling, he has “ steered Germany away from the edge “of the abyss.” It is, of course, impossible to interpret Hen- Hitler without a full knowledge of the development of the European situation during the last month or so and of the state of public opinion in Germany; but it is nevertheless difficult to ignore certain passages which seem to give the first indication of the nature of Germany’s demands and, in doing so, to limit dangerously the possibilities of compromise. In the first place, Herr Hitler has asserted in the plainest language that Germany has a right to intervene on behalf of the Sudeten Germans and will intervene if they are not given what he regards as justice. In the second place, he asserts that the issues between the Sudeten Germans and the Czech Government are not for negotiation, since “ this is a ques- “ tion of violated rights.” In the third place, he uses these words, which it is difficult to construe otherwise than as a demand for a plebiscite:—

Germans demand the right of self-determina-tion. Dr. Benes shall not give mere gifts but rights. The free right of self-determination shall replace oppression.

The question whether this passage commits the German Government irrevocably to a demand for a plebiscite will probably be answered by events in Prague. The leaders of the Sudeten Germans are still seeking a basis for a peaceful settlement of their claims with the Czech Government ; and even in his Carlsbad speech Herr Henlein did not go as far as to suggest that the Sudeten German areas should be allowed to vote on. the question of incorporation in the Third Reich. There is thus still a possibility that “ the right of self- “ determination ” may be discovered to mean something short of a right to a free choice of sovereignties. In the meantime, the danger that events will pass out of the control of governments has become very real. Tha restraint and the discipline of the Czech Government and the Czech people during the last month or so in the face of a campaign of provocation and calumny have been remarkable. But it is impossible for any nation to remain calm indefinitely under such an appalling nervous strain. “ Incidents ” are becoming increasingly frequent; and the Czech Government is faced with a choice between tolerating lawlessness, which invites the charge that it cannot keep order, and adopting repressive measures against a section of the Sudeten Germans, which might provide Herr Hitler with the excuse he is seeking.