PERSONAL ATTACKS; JEERS AT DEMOCRACY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 228, 27 September 1938, Page 10

PERSONAL ATTACKS; JEERS AT DEMOCRACY.

SPEECH REVIEWED.

Warmth to II Duce, Coldness

To Chamberlain.

CHOICE OF PEACE OR WAR.

United Press Association.—Copyright. (Received IM.I p.m.) LONDON", September 20. In a speech punctuated with violent personal attacks on Dr. Benes and jeers at the western democracies, Herr Hitler told the world that German troops will occupy the Sudeten German districts on Saturdav.

The occupation will be peaceable if the Czech Government accepts the demands contained in his memorandum. If these are rejected Germany will be ready for war.

This i>. briefly, the significance of Hit ler's speech, which thus leaves the situa thin where it was after the presentatioi of his memorandum to Pra»ue.

No Hope of Delay. The speech contained no immediate declaration of war, and did not, as many here expected, announce general mobilisation, but it left no hope that Hitler w-ould ajrrce to any delay in the execution of his demands. His patience, he declared, was exhausted. The choice between peace and war rested, he said, with Dr. Benes. Germany had made up her mind. Dr. Benes must choose. The speech revealed the depths of his hatred towards Dr. Benes, which Herr Hitler did not endeavour to disguise. Next Saturday, he cried. Dr. Benes would be forced to keep his promise and hand over the Sudeten territories, however much he might still trust in the assistance of Britain, France and Russia

While he referred to "my friend Benito Mussolini," his references to Mr Chamberlain were noticcablv colder and despite his meetings with Mr. Chamberlain, he expressed his contempt for the democracies.

POLES AND CZECHS. NEGOTIATIONS CEASE. (Received 2.45 p.m.) WARSAW, September 26. The Cabinet has considered the Czech reply to the demand for the return of Teschen. It is stated that the reply does not make a new contribution, and, therefore, it is able to be regarded as negative. Officials regard the negotiations as temporarily broken off. WAR PREPARATIONS. BELGIUM AND HUNGARY. BRUSSELS. September 26. Mechanised cavalry and fortress troops have been recalled, "completing military measures taken previously." A message from Budapest says that the first large-scale air raid precaution exercises have ueen carried out.