HITLER SPEECH.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 116, 19 May 1933, Page 7

HITLER SPEECH.

GENERAL APPROVAL. Deeds at Geneva Will Be Test Of Honesty of Purpose. CONCILIATORY TONE PLEASES.! (United r.A.—Electric Telegraph—Copyright) LONDON*, May IS. The conciliatory tone of Herr Hitler's speech is recognised throughout Europe, though French circles at Geneva declare that it was not definite enough to erase the recent declaration of Herr von Papen and Baron von Xeurath. They say the real significance of the specch will not he known until it is translated into acts at Geneva. A message from Paris says political circles there are impressed by HenHitler's moderation. However, they still perceive a wide gulf between the positions of France and Germany. The French Prime Minister, M. Daladicr expresses hiy sincere satisfaction with the speech. A dispatch from Vienna says the Austrian Government regards the speech as conciliatory. From Rome it is reported that Italy greets Herr Hitler's utterances as a moderate statement by a reasonable statesman who is valiantly rebutting British misapprehension of the Nazis' policy and bona-fides. Berlin dispatches state that scores of congratulatory telegrams are showering upon Herr Hitler. The "Tagcblatt" declares that his appeal is expected to be fruitful because it demonstrates that only self-respect-ing people can contribute toward peace. The "Daily Mail" says Herr Hitler's specch proves him a statesman. Nothing could be more emphatic than hi? denunciation of war and his acceptance of Mr. Roosevelt's proposals to make possible a large disarmament scheme and secure its general adoption.

Verbal Assurances Not Enough. Verbal assurances " ill not remove the reluctance of Germany's neighbours to disarm, says the paper, but if deeds follow, a real advance should be possible. The League of Nations must show Germany that she is mistaken in thinking she is not wanted within it. The "Daily Herald" says Herr Hitler's speech was studiously moderate. It was a gesture not of defiance but of conciliation, and all sensible people, though | they loathe the brutalities of the Nazi policy at home, will feel relieved at Herr Hitler's acceptance of Mr. Roosevelt's proposal. This must be followed by a similar acceptance on the part of the other Powers. The great obstacle ahead is Herr Hitler's own past. "His wild words and worse actions have created such suspicion," says ,thc "Herald," "that it will be a genuine fear that his speech was merely a smoke screen and a delusion. We say frankly that HenHitler should be taken at his word. The risk is minute in comparison with the risk of rejecting his offer." j Most of the editorial articles in the English Press make the point that while Herr Hitler's speech was conciliatory it must be tested by the conduct of the German delegate at Geneva. In other words acts will speak louder than words. "The Times" says Herr Hitler was hardly telling the whole story when he said Germany had faithfully fulfilled her obligations under the Treaty of Versailles. On the other hand his statement that international agreements only have real value if made between nations of equal rights cannot really be challenged. "There will never be a tranquillised Europe," says "The Times," "until the terms imposed by the Treaty of Versailles have been converted with minimum of alteration into an agreed peace." >