ORATION BY HITLER

Wairarapa Times-Age, 2 September 1939, Page 6

ORATION BY HITLER

SWEEPING DENUNCIATION OF POLAND GERMAN MINORITY “TORTURED” STATEMENT OF WAR AIMS. REFERENCES TO WESTERN POWERS. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. (Received This Day, 8 a.m.) LONDON, September 1. Herr Hitler, addressing the remnant of the Reichstag—over a hundred members being. at the front—said: “Danzig was and is a German city. The Corridor was and is German. All these territories owe, their culture to the German people, without whom the profonndest barbarity would prevail there. The German minority was the victim of numerous tortures by Poland after the war.

“As always, I have attempted to make many proposals for revision. It is a deliberate lie for anyone to suggest that we always try to produce revisions under pressure. I have tried again this time to pursue our demands through peaceful channels. All these proposals have been refused. Herr Hitler then outlined his sixteen points (published yesterday) and added: "There is nothing more loyal and modest than these proposals. I alone am in a position to make such proposals, for I know very well that in making them I brought myself into opposition to millions of Germans. These proposals have been refused. They were answered not only with mobilisation, but with increased terror against German compatriots. Poland has . directed its fight against Germany. It did not think about keeping its obligation to minorities, whereas we have done so everywhere. No Frenchman can say the French minority in the Saar is oppressed. I have time and lime again uttered a warning against these developments and I have increased these warnings in the last few days. I have said that if the Poles oppress the minority further and try to destroy Danzig economically and politically, Germany can no longer look on. I also left no doubt that the Germany of today cannot be compared with the Germany of vesterdav My Government vainly waited for two days for a reply from Poland. We could not put up with such delays and impudence. I have decided to give Poland no light lesson. We shall not hesitate for a second in carrying out our duty. My last attempt at neaceful settlement was made, although I am convinced that the Polish Government, under the influence of a Jewish clique and soldiers is not in earnest over the British proposals for negotiation.” GREAT BRITAIN’S PART.. Herr Hitler continued: “The British Government did not want to initiate negotiations itself, buf wanted to bring the Poles to the conference table. I therefore worked out the proposals mentioned. I have sat here for three days without the Poles sending a plemipotentiary. If it is expected that the German Reich and its Fuehrer should tolerate such a thing, then the German nation might as well step down from the political stage. Therefore I have decided to speak to the Poles as they have spoken to us for months past, have given a solemn assurance that we shall demand nothing from the Western Powers and will never demand anything. I have time and time again offered Britain our friendship, and if necessary our closest co-operation, but this "cannot only be offered from one side. It must be reciprocal. Our Western wall represents for all time our Western frontier. We have no fin’ther goals there for the future. Other European States partly understand/ our attitUßerr Hitler thanked Italy for her support but added: “I do not appea for foreign help at this fateful hour. We will carry out our task ourselves. “Neutral States have given us assurances of their neutrality, which we shall respect as long as others do not violate it.” RUSSO-GERMAN PACT. Referring to the Russian-German Pact, Herr Hitler said the mutual nonaggression agreement was for all time. “Germany and Russia,’ he said, “fought against each other in the last war. That will not happen a second time. These are our aims:— “Firstly, to solve the Danzig question. , “Secondly, to solve the Corridor question. “Thirdly to ensure a change in relations between Poland and Germany, enabling them to live together peaceably. “I am, therefore, determined to fight until the Polish Government is prepared to establish good relations, or until another Government is prepared to do so. I wish to-remove once and for all from the German frontiers an element of insecurity and an atmosphere of eternal civil warfare. I wish to ensure that peace on the Eastern borders does not have a different appearance from peace on the Western borders. “I have given my Air Force orders to confine themselves to military objectives in attacking Poland, but if our opponent believes he will be able to fight with other means, we will give him such an answer as will stun him. Last night, Poland was fighting on our territory. I have received information that 454 German sentries have been shot. Since 5.45 a.m. we have been shooting back. Every bomb will be answered with bombs. Whoever fights with poison gas will be fought with poison gas. This fight, no matter against whom, will be fought until we have secured our rights. I have worked for six' years in building up the German Army. Over 90,000 million marks have been spent on its construction. Today it is the best armed and strongest force in the world.

EVERY SACRIFICE DEMANDED. “If I now demand every sacrifice from the German people, I have a right to do so. I myself am ready to make every conceivable sacrifice. There will be no shortage in Germany to which I. myself will not submit. I put on once more that coat which is dearest to me (referring to his uniform). I will not take it off until we are victorious. Should anything happen to me, my successor is Marshal I Goering and after him Herr Hess. Should anything happen to him, then I have appointed a Senate which will

make the worthiest —that is the brav-est—-its leader. My life was nothing more than a life for Germany’s resurrection. One word I never know is capitulation. Let no one think there will ever again be November, 1918 in Germany. Every German must today be a standard-bearer of our resistance. I also expect German women to put themselves in this fight with iron discipline. We arc all determined we shall never capitulate. If our will is so strong that no necessity can overcome it, then this will and our might shall prevail.” Herr Hitler then read the Bill relating to Danzig's incorporation, which was unanimously approved amid applause and cheering.