The Gisborne Herald. WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED “THE TIMES.” GISBORNE THURSDAY, OCT, 26, 1939. BLAME FOR THE WAR

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20078, 26 October 1939, Page 4

The Gisborne Herald. WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED “THE TIMES.” GISBORNE THURSDAY, OCT, 26, 1939. BLAME FOR THE WAR

IT Herr von Ribbentrop’s address to the Nazi gathering at Danzig contained little that , was new it was not entirely devoid of interest. Largely, it was a typical Nazi declamation intended for home consumption, but there were a few points in it that deserve to be underlined. In the first place it is significant that he pictures Germany in a new role; not as a country fighting for its rights and the removal of injustices, but as one resisting an invader. This rather suggests that the temper of public opinion in Germany makes it necessary for the Nazi leaders to conceal their own part in precipitating the conflict and to picture themselves as the victims of aggression. This view is supported by the determination of the German Government to prevent the people from hearing the truth and by suppressing all reports other than those which place the Nazis in a favourable light. There has not been, as in the Allied countries, a full statement of facts and opinions from all sides which would enable the people to form their own conclusions. On the contrary, there have been constant distortions and perversions, the latest example of which are provided by Herr von Ribbentrop. He, however, has gone further than usual, for on this occasion he has overlooked the importance of being consistent in his lying and has actually contradicted himself and his- own Fuehrer.

The war, he says, was imposed on Germany by Britain, and he seeks to muster facts in support of his argument. The stiffening of the Polish attitude towards Germany, he said, dated from January 1, when Herr Hitler repeated his offer for the annexation of Danzig, and this stiffening lie ascribes to the support offered Poland by Great Britain. The answer is that no offer was made by Britain until the end of March, or three months later. Then, Herr von Ribb’entrop says "I can prove beyond all doubt that this war was systematically and secretly prepared for for years by the British Government.” To the extent that Britain was preparing for any eventualities in view of Germany’s aggressive tactics, the statement is probably correct, but to imply that Britain was planning to make war on Germany is absurd. In fact, it was von Ribbentrop himself who staked his whole reputation on his assurances to Hitler that Britain would never go to war with Germany. Having been proved wrong in his estimate of the British character, it is not unnatural, perhaps, that von Ribbentrop should now seek to cover up his own lack of judgment by attempting to place the responsibility on Britain. In this he may succeed in convincing a majority of the Genfian people, but in the light of the available documentary evidence he will never be able to convince the rest of the world,

Most amazing of all von Ribbentrop’s statements was his assertion that. Germany did not strike until

Polish soldiers began to invade Gorman territory. Surely lie has forgotten that only a few days ago Hitler assured the world that “the initiative was never for a moment wrested from Germany,” and that “nil my. warnings went unheard until at last (here remained nothing but to strike.” Certainly Hitler, in his moment of tri-

umph. never pictured Germany as anything but the aggressor, and von

Ribbenlrop's new tune cannot be without significance. Before leaving Warsaw, Hiller told newspaper men, “You see liow unwise il is to resist the German arms." Now, von Ribbentrop attempts to picture German arms being used solely for defensive purposes. He again refers 'to the proposals made to Poland, but overlooks the fact, beyond dispute, that the proposals were never submitted but had

been prepared to be handed over in the form of an ultimatum to a Polish delegate who had been summoned to Berlin but refused to go. Having embroiled his country in a war with Britain, after giving assurances that Britain would never fight, von Ribbentrop is now obviously attempting to escape his responsibility, but nothing that he may now say or do will have the effect of removing the war guilt from where it rightly belongs. The other points of von Ribbentrop’s speech contain little of importance, but there were some piquant passages. Hitler, ho asserted, “has noi even touched the vital interests of the democracies.” Apparently, Austria. Czechoslovakia, and Poland were not

regarded as democracies. In the light of recent developments, the reference to the deepening Soviet-German friendship is amusing, and it is somewhat. difficult to reconcile it with the statement a little later on that Britain had forced Germany into friendship with Italy and Japan “whose co-opera-tion will prove a guarantee for a rea-

sonable world adjustment.” It only need be said that neither Italy nor Japan has given much evidence of co-opera-tion, nor is the prospect of it likely to be increased by the naive suggestion that the friendship with them was a matter of expediency rather than choice. The United States, perhaps, will be comforted by von Ribbentrop’s

assurance that a quarrel between

Germany and America is impossible, but it may he recalled that similar

assurances have been given in turn to Austria, Czechoslovakia, Poland, Britain, and France, and, incidentally, a converse assurance that friendship with Russia was impossible. Insofar as Germany is concerned, the impos-

sible seems to have a habit of happening and von Ribbentrop will learn in

due course the inaccuracy of his prediction that it is impossible for Ger-

many to be beaten,