EFFORT FOR PEACE CLAIMED

Wairarapa Times-Age, 13 September 1938, Page 5

EFFORT FOR PEACE CLAIMED

Says “Persecution” of Sudetens Must Cease GERMANY DESIRES NEVER TO CROSS SWORDS WITH ENGLAND AGAIN NOW SATISFIED WITH HER FRONTIERS By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. In the course of his eagerly-anticipated speech at Nuremberg, Herr Hitler attacked Democracy and denounced its “co-operation with the Bolsheviks.” He declared that what he called the oppression and persecution of the Sudeten Germans in Czechoslovakia must cease, but said also .that Germany desired never to cross swords with England again and that Germany was now satisfied with her frontiers. (Received This Day, 10.20 a.m.) BERLIN, September 12. The audience at' Nuremberg cheered excitedly as Herr Hitler entered the Congress hall. He began speaking at 7.16 p.m. and concluded his speech at 8.35 p.m. The blood flag and swastika banner carried during the Munich uprising were placed behind Herr Hitler. The Fuehrer began with a long review of Nazi history since 1923, when, he declared, the fighting units of the party first moved into the foreground, since when it could not be overlooked. Something new had entered the nation’s life. What was then. the flag of a small group was now the flag of seventy-five millions. This was in the Reich alone. Another factor recalling those times was that there were similar events in the world scene today. Political enemies today were the same. Herr Hitler referred to the uniting of the masses by the Nazis and declared that unity had to be extended to all groups. That was the reason why the Jews had to be eliminated because they wanted national unity. J NEARLY ALL GERMANS NAZIS. Herr Hitler said the Nazis were educating millions of young ... Germans. There were hardly any Germans who did not belong to Nazi organisations, including even Germans in foreign countries. ' The party was sovereign in power, therefore, and might adopt even unpopular measures if necessary. ~ “Today,” the Fuehrer continued, “see how international democrats, pretending to fight for freedom and for equality, co-operate With the Bolsheviks. We are compelled to deal with democrats because their behaviour is especially outrageous. They say they represent the people. I say there are only two governments supported by ninety-nine per cent of the people. What is termed democracy in other countries is only based on skilful manoeuvres. Democrats glorify the Bolsheviks if they find it suitable, even though they call them dictatorships of the proletariat.” Herr Hitler added: “It is a bitter irony that the Soviet should be an honourable member of the democratic League of Nations, while It has maintained its rule by shootings 'and torture. “Today we experience on a large scale what we experienced on' a small scale before we were confronted by a united front of Bolsheviks and democrats. See how international world democrats work hand in hand with Moscow. CZECHOSLOVAKIA DENOUNCED. “It is insupportable if the motto of democracy is used as a threat against us in a country-where millions of Germans are apparently defenceless. I speak of Czechoslovakia. The situation, becomes unbearable when sections of our compatriots are exposed to robbery and oppression. • Czechoslovakia is a democracy established against the will of a majority of its inhabitants. It was destined to bomb German industries in case of war. The Czech constitution is based, -not on the nation’s rights, but on the requirements of oppressors. I tell the democrats it is not a matter of indifference to us. If these tortured and oppressed creatures’do not defend 'themselves, they will receive help from us. In Czechoslovakia there are 3,500,000 Germans. They are creatures of God, Who did not create them for surrender to hatred and persecution.' I said in February that Germany would no longer tolerate persecution of the Sudetens. I ask statesmen to take notice that this is not an empty phrase. German restraint is taken as a sign of weakness. I want to correct that mistake. “We understand if France and Britain safeguard their interests. They must understand that Germany also wants to safeguard her interests.” Herr Hitler declared that the Czechs wanted to restore intimidation of the Sudetens by massing troops on the frontiers. Dr Benes (President of Czechoslovakia) therefore invented the story that German troops were mobilised for a march on Czechoslovakia. “I declare,” said Herr Hitler, "that at the time, not one soldier above normal had been called to the colours or moved from garrisons. Germany did not intend to march. THE RHINE FORTIFICATIONS. “A. Great Power could not tolerate such a base attack,” Herr ' Hitler continued, “therefore we took important measures on May 28— strengthened the Air Force and ordered fortifications to be built in the west. Since May 28, the most gigantic fortifications have been under construction in the west. The fortifications are ready and behind this line stands armed Germany. , “I cannot agree to permit a second Palestine in the heart of Germany. The Arabs are defenceless, but the Sudeten Germans are neither defenceless nor forsaken. I serve peace, if I leave no doubt that Sudeten oppression must end. I have made an effort to serve peace. lam unwilling to look on endlessly while Germans in Czechoslovakia are oppressed. Dr Benes has engaged in taetics. He desires to negotiate under Geneva methods. That won t do. This is a question of violated rights. “We made the Anglo-German Treaty, not because we could not build more ships, but because it is our desire never to cross swords with England again. We concluded a treaty of friendship with Poland. Germany is now satisfied with her frontiers.” Herr . Hitler concluded the congress by saying that all had the right to hold their heads high with pride and would never bow them again under alien will.