GERMANY RETRACTS WAR GUILT ADMISSION

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 26, 1 February 1937, Page 7

GERMANY RETRACTS WAR GUILT ADMISSION

flfflVCn , RESPONSE.

goviet Exclusion from Peace Offer Resented.

VALUE OF SIGNATURES

i United An«>viatloli.—Copj-rltfUt. I (Receive.; U imoii.) LOXDi )N. .li'iiuary 31. The French Minister, M. Delbos, in a speech in reply t<. Heir Hitler, said that France objected to the exclusion of Russia from the peace offer. He believed tin- itcsire for |ieai.-o was sincere as far as Franco «;ts concerned, but "we « re not lhr "" lv I'eople in the world," he added. Heir Hitler lnul not inspired confidence in the value of signatures to treaties. France continued in support collective security, her solidarity with Poland and the Little Entente, and her accord with Russia.

Referring to France in his speech in the Reichetag, Herr Hitler said: "I ■solemnly declare that between France and Germany there can be no point in dispute so far as is humanly conceivable, and no problem, which cannot be solved."

The Fuehrer announced Germany's withdrawal of her signature to the clause in the Treaty of Versailles making her guilty of causing the Great War.

The Treaty of Versailles was at an end and German honour was Restored. Hβ repeated that a struggle against France was out of the question. Ger:nany did not intend to follow a policy of i»olati*n. That would he t|e greatest danger. He emphasised again the nation's eagerness to co-operate with Britain.

Germany had no colonial claims except on countries which had taken her colonies from her'.

SMALL POWER'S VIEW.

REACTIONS TO SPEECH

(Received 11.30 a.m.) LONDON, January 31

A message from Prague states that Czechoslovakian newspapers, commenting on Herr Hitler's speech, state that the general attitude of the powerful States in Europe to the smaller ones is fat from satisfactory. It must be remembered that the smaller States have their righte. The Czechoslovak Government has always respected the rights of minorities.

. In Paris the general reception of the speech is tepid, but diplomatic quarters express the opinion that, in spite of its negativeness, it will be studied as a reply to M. Blum.

Herr Hitler's declaration that there will not be more surprises is interpreted to mean that there will not be an invasion of Meniel or a seizure of Danzig. This constitutes a new gleam of hope.

However, the Fuehrer's cold shouldering of the League, which is the pivot of French policy, is causing doubts as to whether Germany's readiness to collaborate in world affaire can be implemented.

In Rome the speech is welcomed as ae olive branch without bayonets. Herr Hitler's eight points are regarded as folly in line with Italian policy.

Sunday newspapers in London welcome Herr Hitler's moderation, which the diplomatic correspondent of the "Observer" gays has created a good impression in official quarters, where the speech is_regarded as or strong service to Europe and the world. A pacific utterance had been expected, as Army, ,T? . an( * r chiefs are convinced that politicians must avoid controversy •broad.

Nevertheless, the British regret that Herr Hitler did not deal with the practical points in Mr. Eden's speech.

MUST DRAW BLOOD.

RULES FOR NAZI DUELLISTS

(Received 12 noon.) . , BERLIN, January 31. . The Reich student-leader, Herr Scheel, decreed that every German university Ota must henceforth defend his honour and the Fatherland's by duels, for waieh a single weapon is officially stipulated, namely, a light sabre three feet long, with a quarter-inch rounded tip •ed razor-sharpe edge. Any • "affair of lfbnour" must be lought out under fixed rules, requiring we drawing of blood before any "satisfaction" may be accepted.

SOLD TO GERMANY.

FAMOUS AUSTRIAN RAILWAY.! (Received 12 noon.) MUNICH, January 31. Austria's most famous mountain railway, the Zugspitze Funicular, has been •Old to Germany for £9000, the greater part of which will be paid in coal.

The Funicular runs five miles beyond the German besder, in the Austrian I'yroL The purchase is joyously hail?rl oy Nazis us "a buyliiiiliigof the peaceful penetration of Austria."