HITLER'S "HEIR"

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 277, 22 November 1934, Page 21

HITLER'S "HEIR"

AND GERMAN POLICY.

THE JEWS AND THE SAAR

HESS IS EMPHATIC.

(By PAULA LECLER.)

BERCHTESGADEN (Germany)

Non-violence and emphasis on a constructive programme, aiming to build up the confidence of the German people and of the rest of the world in the Nazi regime, are the keystones of National Socialist policy, as enunciated by Rudoiph Hess, deputy-leader of the Nazi party, who is recognised a3 Chancellor Hitler's political heir.'

Interviewed at the Hitler "summer white house" at Ober Salzburg, Hess, whose disdain for the limelight—in contrast with the assertiveness of other Hitler lieutenants—has led him to ehun interviewers, declared emphatically:

"Our revolution is over. Now we want peace and quiet, in order to build. While the revolution was .on, summary methods had to ba used, of course. But now that the revolution is over, except for certain minor adjustments of individuals that can be . effected peaceably, regular, legal methods can be used. "The.Roehm affair was the last exercise of violent extra-legal justice that will be needed under the Third Reich. The very thoroughness, swiftness, and drastic character of Hitler's action on June 30 will preclude further occasion for force." Turning to the immediate prospects of the German people, he conceded that a general tightening of the economic belt was necessary, but he dismissed the likelihood of unrest during the approaching winter. "The Government hopes for one thing," he went on; "that trade relations with other countries will be improved; that the boycott will bo lifted. Economic Independence. "If Germany suffers from the boycott, so do the jother nations. For nations are economically interdependent, and what hurts one is bound, in the long run, to hurt the others. I hope .the nations,- especially America, will realise this and lift the boycott. Otherwise, Germany will be forced to proceed along the line of economic self-suflicieney. "You understand-," he continued gravely, "that this is not .qur - aim, but only a consequen9e if we are forced to it. The world has long recognised the skill of our technical and chemical workers, and undoubtedly we can travel far along the road of this economic separatist policy. . "But we hope," he emphasiseu, that it will not be necessary. Germany herself realises, of course, how difficult such a policy would be. It is ..not the policy we de.sire." , An..air of assurance and directness lent weight to the statements of the man who, most of Germany believes, "lay some day step into Hitlers shoes. He said "we consider," or "the Government policy is," or "Hitler feels"; never "perhaps," or "maybe."

" Despite the informality of the Bavarian peasant costume that he wore—his bare knees topped by worn leather breeches'—his words and his manner conveyed an impression of sureness and authority. His infrequent gestures, were casual, unlike the controlled, deliberate gestures of Hitler.

He sat relaxed in his chair, answering questions readily, but always stressing the broad aspects of his topics. His avoidance of .verbal pyrotechnics recalled his reputation as one of the forces restraining the air-slashing Hitler from extremist plunges.

Hese interpreted as a "great personal tribute" to Hitler the result of the August 19 election, denying that any criticism was implied in the 10 per cent of "No" ballots, double the "No" vote of last November. Winning Over the Doubters. "Last November," he said, "the question was whether we had been right in leaving the League of Nations, and, naturally, those who used to be Social Democrats and Communists voted 'Yes.' This time the issue was a different one, a personal vote of approval of the «oncentration of power in Hitler, Hitler, after all, used to be the best-hated man in Germany.

"Where else," he asked, his keen, greyblue eyes lighting up, "can you find 00 per cent of the voting population in accord on a leader? Has any President of the United States ever polled; such a majority?" Hitler's announced intention of "winning over" to National Socialism those who voted "No" involves no violence, he insisted. "Obviously," he said, "violent methods would only antagonise and create new enemies, instead of winning over the doubters and critics. Hitler always wants to, persuade, and not to compel." Asked whether any special methods would be used to conciliate Jews who voted "No," Hess replied, "I have no reason to think all the Jews said 'No.' On the contrary, I am convinced that many of them, who need order and peace for tlieir business and commercial enterprises, and who realise that this Government is giving them just such conditions to work under, said Tes.'" Hess seemed hesitant to discuss the position of the 500,000 Jews in Germany. Finally he said, "It is not a question of whether wo want thenuor not. They are here, and aside from having lost certain public positions and a few of their civil rights, they have not been harmed in any wSy; nor will they be while they act peaceably and fulfil their duty to the Government under which they live. "I should think," he continued, "that Jews in other countries would realise that. In the boycott they are taking the most direct way to injure their co-reli-o-ionists still in Germany. _ I'm not sayin"' we would do such a thing I have no doubt we will not—but do they not realise that the methods they are using to iniure us —boycott, defamation, and the ]j]ie— are the methods best calculated to arouse our German people themselves not the Government —against the Jews still hern? Saar Propaganda. "This danger of their present policy" is one that the Jews of the outside world should not ignore. If we were a vengeful Government, as our enemies assert,

and inclined to act as some of our enemies act, we would throw out the 500,000 odd Jews who remain here aiid hare our own country to oursejves—but we are letting them stay bere." Turning to the foreign criticism of Germany's propaganda methods in the Saar, Hess declared:. "Germany feels justified

In continuing her open and entirely justified campaign of peaceful propaganda in the Saar.

"Not that there is really a Saar question," ho quickly added. "The Saar is German, in race, spirit and allegiance— overwhelmingly so—as it already has shown, and as the coming election will prove again. The Saar should have been returned to us without the reopening of old antagonisms in the plebiscite, as Hitler said."

At mention of a group in the Saar population that declares itself German, but is opposed to Hitler, Hess, with a wave of his hand, dismissed the subject with, "That's just a negligible number, and the opposition consists of the worst elements of the Saar population."— N.AiN.A.