DRAMATIC ACTION TAKEN BY GERM.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 58, 9 March 1936, Page 7

DRAMATIC ACTION TAKEN BY GERM.

REICHSTAG SPEECH

Herr Hitler Recalls Past War Injustices.

FEANCE RESISTS ADVANCES. United Press Association.—Copyright. (Received 31 a.m.) LONDON, March S. The Berlin correspondent of "The Times" says that with characteristic suddenness Herr Hitler summoned the Reichstag to meet at noon yesterday to hear a statement from him on"foreign policy. He invited the British, French and Italian Ambassadors, as representatives of the Locarno Powers to visit him before the Reichstag met. Herr Hitler entered the Reichstag at noon. Ho said: "General Goering summoned you at my orders. It is a meeting which the people will instinctively regard as decisive." The Leader-Chancellor then reviewed the years following the Great War, declaring that Germany above all the nations had made sacrifices for the late Mr. Woodrow Wilson's idealism, yet tension had increased more than ever. The god of war had not laid down his armour, but marched through the world more heavily armed than ever. The nationn had forced Germany to take credits and simultaneously had destroyed her export trade, blaming her afterwards for unwillingness to pay. The European nations, after all, were members of a family. If commonsense was not employed there would be explosions which would leave a 'field of chaos behind. It was unwise to believe that in so small a house as Europe it was possible to have different conceptions of what was right. "The world often speaks of the German problem which many consider lies in the difference between the German regime and that of other countries," continued Herr Hitler. "Others see it in Germany's alleged war lust, dormant aggressive intentions and devilish ability to get the better of her opponents. Germany's Real Problem. "The real German problem is that 07,000,000 Germans live in a restricted area, but claim just the same right to live as others. They have as little longing as the British and as Frenchmen to die as heroes for fantastic ideas. "Another German problem is the Soviet's interference in German affairs. Germany's rearmament is not a revival of the European problem, but its solution. 'Germany has saved other nations from Bolshevism. "Europe is divided into two halves. One is composed of independent national States with which we are tied by history and culture. The other half is governed by intolerant Bolshevist philosophy. "It is regrettable that after all Germany's efforts to come to terms France should conclude a FrancoSoviet pact. I proposed everything possible to lessen the tension between France and Germany, but all my suggestions were rejected. Britain, with a sense of reality, accepted my proposal for a restrictive naval agreement which is all that remains of the disarmament efforts." Herr Hitler described Russia's armament, declaring that it was contrary to the spirit of Locarno, and adding that the Soviet had championed Bolshevism. Would Paris become another Moscow, he asked. France and Soviet Against Nazis. After speaking for 70 minutes, Herr Hitler read the memorandum he had handed to the foreign Ambassadors, in which he stated that it was indisputable that the Franco-Russian pact was directed solely against Germany. "Russia assumes obligations far beyond the stipulations of the League Covenant," said the memorandum. "France is held to military action against Germany, even if not entitled to' it bj' decisions of the League. France, thus, claims for herself the right to decide who is an aggressor. "The agreement in practice means nothing other than a decision to act as if the League and Locarno did not exist." Herr Hitler finished by announcing the reoccupation of the Rliineland. "In this historic hour when German troops are entering their garrisons in the Western provinces of the Reich," he said, "we join them in a solemn oath not to yield before any power or force in our effort to restore the honour of the nation. We will succumb rather than capitulate." General Goering announced that the Reichstag would be dissolved to enable the people to vote on the Government's policy on March 29.

Dr. Goebbels, Minister of Propaganda, will open the election campaign at a mass meeting on Tuesday.