NOTHING NEW

Wairarapa Times-Age, 26 October 1939, Page 7

NOTHING NEW

VON RIBBENTROP'S TIRADE

COMPOSED FOR INTERNAL CONSUMPTION.

REPETITION OF STUPID FALSEHOODS.

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. LONDON. October 24.

“The Times’’ publishes the following official London reaction to Herr von Ribbentrop’s speech:— “England and France contemplate this latest effusion from Germany unmoved. Their standpoint has been made abundantly clear in recent speeches by Mr Chamberlain and M Daladier.

“It is evident from his speech that Herr von Ribbentrop is still far from comprehending it and both countries therefore will continue on the course they have set. themselves till the Ger man Government's attitude undergoes a change.” A British Official Wireless message says responsible opinion takes the view that Herr von Ribbentrop introduces no new element into the situation, nor is it considered to have any particular importance, composed, as it would seem to be, for internal consumption in Danzig and Germany. As observers in London see it, it is felt that the same attempts are being made to divide Elritain from France and the same stupid falsehood uttered about the aggressive intentions of Britain—intentions which, as everyone outside of Germany fully understands, exist only in the imagination of the Nazi Government.

In his desperate efforts to maintain the German people in isolation from the truth, Herr von Ribbentrop does not, it is commented, hesitate to spread falsehoods about Mr Chamberlain’s policy at the time of Munich in 1938, t falsehoods which may well be thought r too stupid to deceive even the most credulous. i It is pointed out that British policy - has been made clear by the official . documents which have been made public in recent weeks. These documents have been carefully kept from the Germans, but they have been the subject of exhaustive study throughout the rest of the world. The British Government, it is thought, will be well content to allow the world to form its own view, now that its case has been made public, as to whether Britain and France, on the one hand, or Germany, on the other, is the aggressor in the present war. OPINION IN ITALY ' NO HOPE OF HALTING WAR. ’ NECESSITY OF KEEPING OUT. NEW YORK, October 24. The Rome correspondent of the “New York Times” says Herr von Ribbentrop’s speech, like Herr Hitler’s Reichstag speech, served to convince the Italians that there was no hope of halting the war and that therefore they had better keep out even more rigidly than before. Italians listening to the broadcast of Herr von Ribbentrop's speech noted a lack of cheering when friendship between Italy and Germany was mentioned. On the other hand , when Russia was mentioned, the crowd applauded long and loudly. Thus Italy was shown again that the BeilinMoscow axis means more to Germany at present than the Rome-Berlin axis. The ■ Italians were glad to hear the reiteration of Herr Hitler’s declaration that he wants no moie tenitoiy in Europe,'and they appreciated the complimentary references to Italy. Beyond that, the speech would have left the Italians indifferent, if it were not for the demonstration of bitterness toward England, killing any hopes of peace. FRENCH VERDICT RIBBENTROP UTTERS BIGGEST LIE OF HIS LIFE. French newspaper comment on Herr von Ribbentrop’s speech is very sarcastic. a radio message reports. The "Petit Parisian” says: “Ribbentrop has the effrontery to affirm that the war has been imposed on France by Great Britain. Frequently Ribben - trop has deceived himself and the Gelman people. This time he has uttered the biggest lie of his life. The whole world knows that our armies are determined to fight to finish Hitlerism. Daventry describes the speech as “rather like a schoolboy reading an essay before his class.” It adds that Herr von Ribbentrop spoke hurried y and jerkily and that there, was little enthusiasm among the audience, who only roused themselves from their lethargy when the name of England was mentioned, and proceeded to jeer. There were a few demonstrations at the mention of Hitler, but the cheering ■ was loudest when Herr von Ribbentrop sat down. AMERICAN VIEW FURIOUS CONFESSION OF ERROR. The first American comment on Herr von Ribbentrop's speech comes from the “New York Times," which says, according to a radio report:— “When it is remembered that it was Ribbentrop who convinced Hitler that 1 Great Britain would never fight, this diatribe against their insatiable, will to wage war is a furious confession of his own tragic mistake.” I J 1 1 MORE COMMENTS ' —■ < GERMAN HATE TALK. £ BRITAIN TO BE KNOCKED OUT. , ' t COPENHAGEN. October 25. Von Ribbentrop’s speech shows that . the German attack will be directed against the British Empire alone, declar- t es the “National Tidene.” which adds: ( “The Reich does not hate France and would gladly make peace with her, but ( does not think peace will come until ] Britain is knocked out. We must be r prepared for unexpected actions in s unexpected places. \ Several French newspapers declare c that the speech discloses utter confu- ? sion among the Nazi leaders. The attempt to divide Britain and France is regarded as a clumsy and useless gesture. s

The ‘ Victoire” says: -Hitler stands alone. He has disgusted Italy and Stalin dispises him and Germany.” “Pertinax” says: "The speeches of

the Nazi leaders dishonour their country more than their crimes.” A Berlin message states that the German Press harps on the theme that Britain rejected the Fuehrer’s magnanimous and unselfish offer to pre- E serve the British Empire, but Britain wanted to keep Europe divided be- ' cause it is easier to dominate it. just as British envy persecutes Japan. 1