HITLER SPEAKS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 115, 18 May 1933, Page 7

HITLER SPEAKS.

foreign policy. ADDRESS IN REICH. Versailles Treaty Basis of Germany's ''Woes. f « THE WAR GUILT LIE." (Cniterl I'.A— Electric Telegraph—Copyright) (Received 11.30 a.m.) BERLIN, May 17. The Reichstag Chamber was crowded when Herr Hitler, the Chancellor, rose to give his address on Gbrmany's foreign policy. He said: "This crisis originated in the passions which, at the end of the war, dulled the insight and sense of justice of nations. All the present problems a re due to the shortcomings of the peace treaty, which is incapable of fairly and permanently settling the most decisive questions of the time." It was not wise to rob a people of its economic possibilities of existence without taking into account the fact that they were human beings and that they demanded the right to live. If the peace treaty solved the problem of making political frontiers coincide with national frontiers it might have formed the basis of real peace, making the sacrifices of war worth while.

Treaties were valueless unless they were based on the consideration of real equality. Germany has almost committed "suicide in endeavouring to fulfil lier treaty obligations, but would not break any arrangement without being able to substitute one for it. "This •feneration of Germans has suffered too much from the insanity of our time for us to wish to visit similar sufferings on others," he said. War Would Make Position Worse. Amid applause, Hitler added: "No war in Europe at present could improve the situation, either economically or politically. If any single nation could sccure victory the final rfesult would be the same, a new insecurity leading to Communistic chaos, which would swamp Europe." iGermany was ready to destroy all armaments if other nations Were prepared to do likewise. Auxiliary police would be completely disbanded this year. France maintains that equality must be accompanied by promises of security, but Germany has already given pledges of security in the Locarno and Kellogg pacts. The assumption that the Storm Troops form an army reserve is untrue. <T solemnly declare that Germany has disarmed and has more than fulfilled her treaty obligations." Germany was prepared to accept President Roosevelt's great proposal, which was a big relief to those peoples who see peace in rearmament. Germany Is also prepared, unselfishly, to participate in the work of settling the world's political and economic difficulties, being convinced that the one big task was to ensure the peace of the world. The armaments of France and Poland could not inspire fear in Germany, because Germany possessed no offensive weapons. Origin of World's Misery. Herr Hitler said that any transformation of the system forced on Germany should proceed as the others disarmed. The idea of serving the world by economically destroying 65,000,000 people would plunge even the victors into a catastrophe. The "war guilt lie" meant degrading a great people to a second-class position at the very moment when the League of Nations was born. The deepest origin of the world's present misery lay in its division into victors and vanquished as a definite basis for all treaties, and for all future laws entailing compulsory dcfencelessness for some nations agOTist increased armament for the remainder. National degradation could not be maintained forever. French colonial troops must be reckoned part of the French Army. The imposition of sanctions on Germany would lead to the annulment of treaties, resulting in chaos. . Understanding Based on Equality. Herr Hitler concluded: "May the other nations recognise Germany's unsnakeable will to end the period of confusion by mutual understanding on the basis of equality. Germany will tread no other path than that laid down by treaties, and will discuss all political and economic questions only within the framework of treaties.

"She understands only too well that military attack of any kind, even if successful, must lead to disaster. Germany will not let itself be forced into anything which might prolong its disqualification, and has no thought of invading any country." As Herr Hitler finished, the deputies stood and burst into a roar of cheers. They unanimously adopted a resolution approving the speech, and closed with the singing o2 "Deutschland Über Alles."