HITLER'S SPEECH

Wairarapa Times-Age, 29 April 1939, Page 7

HITLER'S SPEECH

SARCASTIC REPLY MADE TO ROOSEVELT Repudiation of Anglo-German Naval Treaty PACT WITH POLAND NO LONGER IN EXISTENCE INTENTION TO MAKE WAR DENIED By Telegraph—Press Association.—Copyright. (Received This Dav, 9.35 u.in.) BERLIN, April 28. All Germany was at a standstill this morning, when Herr Hitler delivered Ids eagerly-awaited speech to the Reichstag. Shops were closed and work in factories was stopped. Everyone had been ordered to listen in. Herr Hitler plunged immediately into a sarcastic reference to President Roosevelt’s message, recalling that it. was published throughout the world before he, had seen it. “Be-, cause the democratic Press contained friendly enlightenment.” he said, “this telegram was a clever, practical document, aimed at burdening the authoritarian Powers with the responsibility for the plutocracies’ warlike measures. I decided to convoke the Reichstag and give, you a chance of hearing my reply, either confirming or rejecting it. 1, moreover, believe it is appropriate to follow President Roosevelt’s procedure and inform the world of my reply by a means similar to his. I want to express the feelings inspired in me by the tremendous historical events of March. I can only offer niy humble thanks that Providence, called me, once an unknown soldier, to be the Fuehrer of my beloved people. Providence permitted me to find a way without bloodshed to free the people from the deepest distress and permitted me toj’idfil an unique mission to raise the German people from defeat and from the most dastardly dictated treaty of all time, and it was my sole aim • to make good what others had broken by force? what with Satanic wickedness and human insensibility they destroyed and despoiled. I have taken no steps toward injuring foreign rights, but have only restored rights damaged twenty years ago.”

(Received This Day, 10.35 a.m.) “VILE PRESS AGITATION.” Continuing Herr Hitler said that the reason for the existing war fear lay simply in the unbridled -and vile Press agitation. “I do not believe that every conflict is disastrous to the world unless the world is drawn into it by nebulous pacts. “President Roosevelt believes that in the event of war, the victorious, vanquished and neutrals would suffer. I have been an exponent of this view for twenty years. President Roosevelt believes that the leaders of nations have a duty to preserve their peoples from impending disaster. If that is true, it is punishable neglect if the leaders of nations are incapable of controlling their newspapers, which are agitating for war and so to save the world from the threatening calamity of armed conflict. President Roosevelt declares that three nations in Europe-and one in Africa have seen their independent existence terminated. 1 do not know which three he meant. It is hot now that most nations have sacrificed their independence, but rather in 1918, when, contrary to solemn promises, they were made into nations they never wished to be and never were. “President Roosevelt mentioned reports, which he admittedly does not believe, that further acts of aggression are contemplated against independent States. If President Roosevelt really has a specific instance in mind I would ask him to name the threatened states and specify the aggressor. President Roosevelt said the world plainly was moving towards a moment when this situation must end in catastrophe unless a rational manner of guiding events was found and also declared that I had repeatedly asserted that the German people did not desire war and that, if this were true there was no need of war. I wish to point out that I have not conducted a war and for years past I have expressed abhorrence of war and warmongers. I am not aware for what purpose I should wage war at all. A CANVASS OF NATIONS. “President Roosevelt believes.” Herr Hitler went on to observe, “that be- , cause the United States is in the western hemisphere, it is not involved in the immediate controversies of Europe, and for this reason I think I should be willing to make such a policy statement to him. I obviously would never presume to address such a request to the President of the United States, because I assume he would probably and rightly consider such presumption tactless. President Roosevelt is willing to communicate Germany’s political aims to nations apprehensive concerning Germany’s policy. How has President Roosevelt learned which nations consider themselves threatened by’ German policy?" Referring to his canvass of nations as to whether they feared German aggression, Herr Hitler declared that a majority had replied that they did not fear aggression. Apart from this, all States bordering on Germany had re- - ceived much more binding assurances than President Roosevelt "asked from ! me in his curious telegram.’’ 1 Herr Hitler repeatedly referred to a ; speech by Mr de Valera in which he ■ asserted that it was England, and not 1 Germany, who was guilty of aggression.

Referring to Palestine. Herr Hitler expressed the opinion that this perhaps was a problem which, according to President Roosevelt’s idea, could be solved by a conference instead of by physical force, mass executions, the burning of villages and the blowing up of houses. "One fact." lie said, "is absolutely certain, and that is that England in this case is not defending herself against a threatened Arab attack, but. as an interloper, is endeavouring to establish her potter in a foreign territory.

“Geimany, nevertheless, is prepared to give each State mentioned an assurance of the I<ind desired by President Roosevelt, in conditions of absolute reciprocity and provided the State wishes it and addresses to Germany a request for such an assurance, together with appropriate proposals.

"The question regarding a number of Slates in President Roosevelt’s list can probably be regarded as settled, since we are already either allied with I hern or at least united by close lies of friendship. As for the duration of agreements. Germany is willing to

make terms in accordance with the wishes of individual States.” t AN OFFER TO POLAND. Herr Hitler went on to disclose that - he had made a definite offer to Poland t that Danzig should become a Free 1 State within the framework of the Reich. As a result of Poland’s rejection, he regarded the German-Polish 1 Treaty as no longer being in exis- ’ tence, and added that Poland had re- ■ jected the offer, declaring she was prepared only: Firstly, to negotiate con- ’ cerning a substitute for the League of ' Nations’ commissioner, and secondly ‘ to consider transport facilities across ; the Danzig Corridor. Referring to Britain’s guarantee to Poland Herr Hitler said: “This obligation is contrary to the agreement I made with M. Pilsudski, for which reason I regard the agreement as unilaterally infringed by Poland and therefore no longer in existence. I have sent a communication to Poland to this effect. Should Poland wish to reach fresh arrangements governing her relations with Germany I can but welcome the idea, provided the arrangements are based on absolutely’ clear obligations by both parties in equal measure. Germany at any time is willing to undertake such obligations and to fulfil them.” . NAVAL PACT AND COLONIES. Referring to the Anglo-German Naval Pact the Fuehrer announced that he was sending a communication to Britain to the effect that the basis of the Anglo-German Naval Treaty had been removed. Herr Hitler went on: “My original : proposal for the voluntary restriction of naval armaments was based on my 1 will and conviction that a war between ' Britain and Germany was impossible. This will and conviction are alive in me today, but England’s policy, official 1 and unofficial, leaves no doubt that my 1 conviction is not shared in London. c “On the contrary, the opinion pre- £ vails that, no matter in what conflict c Germany may some day be engaged, ( Britain will aiways take sides against

the Reich. I profoundly regret such a development for the only claim I ever made or shall make against Englant is for the return of the former German colonies, and I have already made it clear that this will never cause military conflict. "Since England holds the view that Germany should be opposed in all circumstances and confirms this by her policy of encirclement, the basis ol the naval treaty has been removed, but if Britain wishes to re-enter negotiations, none would be nappier than I at the prospect of a clear and straightforward understanding. "I have never left room for doubt of my belief that the existence of the British Empire is of inestimable value to all human • cultural and economic life. "My denunciation of the Naval Agreement is not a matter of military importance, but an action of self-respect. I still hope to avoid an armaments race with England. “President Roosevelt’s suggestion that further acts of aggression are contemplated is unfounded and an offence against the tranquillity and peace of the world," Herr Hitler said. “I ask the President to name the threatened States. "I am sceptical of President Roosevelt’s suggestion that international problems can be solved at the council table. The United States shirked the greatest conference of all time, namely, the League of Nations, which failed to solve a single decisive international problem. WORLD ECONOMIC TALKS. Regarding world economic talks. Herr Hitler declared: "President Roosevelt would do a great service if the United States itself began the removal of trade barriers. It should also redeem President Wilson's promises. "The democratic nations think they can starve nations by a blockade. Germany will light first and is resolved not to allow her vital market to be torn from her by methods of terrorism.

"1 renounced Alsace in order to promote European understanding, not because I feared France. The States to which I offered neutrality cannot complain that I made unacceptable demands or claims. Czechoslovakia is no exception. 1 do not think of denying our racial principles, but I will

protect Czech and German racial purity alike. “If Mr Chamberlain considers that Germany’s action has nullified Munich I take note and draw the necessary conclusions, but I will not renounce the vital rights of Germany. Lasting Anglo-German friendship is impossible unless Britain recognises Germany’s right to live. “Germany has been slandered in respect of her activities in Spain. I hope we shall soon welcome back the Germans from there. Others seek to pretend that the British encirclement policy is justified,' but Germany has the strongest army, the strongest air force and an unsnakeable understanding witn Italy.

GERMANY’S PERFECT CALM. After referring to “panic hysteria’’ abroad, Herr Hitler continued: “On the contrary, Germans can pursue their business in perfect calm. Their frontiers are guarded by the best Army in the world. The air is protected by the most powerful air fleet and the coasts are unassailable by any enemy. President Roosevelt said every war must have disastrous consequences for the world. Ido not believe that every conflict must have disastrous consequences for the whole globe, provided the whole world is not systematically drawn into such conflicts by means of a network of nebulous pacts and obligations. President Roosevelt declared that he had previously appealed to me for a peaceful settlement of political economic and social problems. I myself am always an exponent of this view. History proves that nations have settled their necessary problems, but not by force. Unfortunately a peaceful settlement is made difficult by politicians and newspapers who are neither directly concerned nor affected by the problems in question.’’ Dealing with disarmament, Herr Hitler declared that Germany was the only country in history which had trustingly laid down its arms, the result of which was that she had been subjected to a greater degradation than had ever been inflicted on the chiefs of a Sioux tribe. “I can assure you, Mr Roosevelt,” he said, “that I am absolutely and steadfastly determined to say to you today that not only now, but in all future times, no German will ever enter a conference defenceless and at all times in the future German negotiators will have behind them the united strength of the German nation, so help me God.”

STRANGE MIXTURE TRUCULENCE & CONCILIATION. OPINIONS IN LONDON. (Received This Day’, 9.45 a.m.) LONDON, April 28. Copies of Herr Hitler’s speech were flown to London in the morning and delivered to the Foreign Office as an act of courtesy. A strange mixture of truculence and conciliation is the opinion of foreign diplomats of the speech. Tiie immediate effect of Herr Hitler's speech was to cause dealers to mark up prices all round. Expected buying orders, however, did not materialise. and prices therefore closed slightly under the best levels, but indications point to firmer marketsJn the coining week. The recovery in textiles progresses steadily, especially in the wool trade’ which should substantially benefit from Government orders for uniforms. The consumption of rayon, yarn and linens is above last year’s levels. The retail trade also is rapidly improving. REPORTED DISORDERS NUMBERS KILLED AND WOUNDED IN METZ. UNREST OVER LONG HOURS AND POOR FOOD. PARIS. April 27. A message from Metz states that travellers from the Saar report unrest owing to long working hours and poor food. German troops are reinforcing the police. Serious disorders occurred on Herr Hitler’s birthday, and numbers were killed and wounded. AMERICA LISTENS FOREBODINGS REGARDING POLAND. ANOTHER MUNICH BREWING. 'Received This Day. 10.55 a.m.) NEW YORK. April 28. Millions at breakfast heard Herr Hitler's speech broadcast throughout the nation, over all networks. The references to President Roosevelt ’were only what was anticipated, but the denouncement of the Polish friendship pact aroused foreboding that another Munich is brewing. Wall Street reacted favourably. Leading stocks advanced a point in an initial burst, but thereafter buying fluctuated. OFFICIAL RETICENCE POLAND DRIVEN CLOSER TO RUSSIA. 'Received This Day, 10.55 a.m.) WASHINGTON, April 28. Official comment is withheld on Herr Hitlers speech, probably until Herr Hitler replies specifically to the

White House. it is feared in some quarters that Britain may soon be called on to implement her guarantee of Poland’s integrity. The speech is expected to drive Poland closer to Russia.