CZECHS MUST HAND BACK TERRITORY

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 228, 27 September 1938, Page 9

CZECHS MUST HAND BACK TERRITORY

By Next Saturday

THREAT OF ACTION IF TERMS NOT MET

(United Frew Association.—Copyright.—Rep. 9.30 a.m.) BERLIN, September 26. Huge crowds assembled in the streets near the Sportspalast to-night, where Herr Hitler delivered his historic speech. Storm Troop units took up positions along the route in the mid-afternoon. Endless columns of singing Brown Shirts marched across the city to line the streets and fill the Sportspalast. Herr Hitler spoke under a huge banner proclaiming the slogan from his Nuremberg speech: "Sudeten Germans are neither defenceless nor deserted." He spoke for 1 hour 1 1 minutes. Herr Hitler arrived at the Sportspalast at 8.09 p.m. A band playing the "Present Arms" march and a crowd of 30,000 gave the Fuehrer a terrific ovation, cheering for three minutes. It'was announced that the broadcast was relayed to Italy, Hungary, Poland, Lithuania, Finland, Sweden, Holland, Portugal, Japan, and over the British Broadcasting Corporation, American and South American chains. ■ Dr. Goebbels, Minister of Propaganda, opened the meeting at 8.16 p.m. Herr Hitler was flanked by Herr Hess and Dr. Goebbels and was followed by the Sudeten delegation. Dr. Goebbels, speaking first, said: "In this historic hour, which keeps all Europe breathless in suspense, you speak to Europe and the whole world. Your people are united. No threat, no pressure from anywhere could change ourselves and our position." Herr Hitler began to speak at 8.20 p.m. He said: "German men and women, on February 22 for the first time I voiced an unalterable claim in the German Reichstag. The nation listened and understood. One statesman (Dr. Schuschnigg) did not understand. He was removed and my promise was fulfilled. "At Nuremberg I formulated the claim again, and again the nation understood. "To-day I speak foT the first time to the entire people as in the time of our struggles. You know what it means—there can be no 'more doubt. There is not speaking one Fuehrer, one man, but the whole German people make my words their oath. Let other nations examine if that also is the case with them. Rearmed As No Country Ever Was. "I can confess openly that we ' are rearmed in a way the world has never seen before. Since my offer of disarmament was refused I have not taken half decisions or half measures. If the world is unwilling to be disarmed, very well, we are rearmed as no country ever was before. Thousands of millions have been spent in rearming. "We possess the most modern Army, the best Air Force and the best anti-tank arms in the world. We have worked for five years, day and night, so as to build up an army of which Germany will be proud and which the world will respect whenever it appears. "Despite all this, I have not dropped the policy of peace. I always have been ready to do everything to solve problems peacefully. I, as an ex-serviceman, know the meaning of war. I have tried everything to save peace. "The most difficult of all problems was the Polish problem. There was danger of war with Poland which was not a democracy but was ruled by one man. I succeeded in reaching an understanding with him and avoided danger of conflict. We are all convinced this is the only way to achieve permanent peace. "It was a great deed for peace, outweighing all the speeches at Geneva. I would not have succeeded in solving the Polish problem if so-called democracy had ruled. Democracies pretend to be peaceful, but are bloodthirsty monsters. "We Want Peace With Britain." **I also attempted with other nations to normalise relations and offered Western Powers inviolability of their territory. This is my sacred wish. I want nothing from them. What do they want from me? "We want, peace with Britain. We want nothing from France, only peace. "I next normalised relations with Italy, partly due to my own success and partly to that of that rare and great man Italy so fortunately possesses. Relations with Italy are now an alliance of hearts, not a marriage of convenience. "My effort for peace is no't a mere phrase, but is confirmed by facts which no democratic liar may deny. There are two problems left. Ten million Germans living outside the Reich want to return. There is a point where conciliation must end, because it would be weakness. I would not have the moral right to be leader of the German people if I renounced this. It is the limit of complacency. The history of the union with Austria has confirmed that I am right."