CRISIS IN EUROPE

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 20987, 16 October 1933, Page 9

CRISIS IN EUROPE

Germany Leaves League am Arms Conference REICHSTAG DISSOLVED Equal Armaments Demanded by Herr Hitler (USIIED I'UESS ASSOCIATION—IIS :BLECTHIC TELKGP.APH—COI'YTUGHT.) (Received October 15, 11.20 p.m.) LONDON, October 15. The world to-day is face to face with a crisis perhaps unequalled since 1914. Without a word of warning or the slightest preliminary hint in the whole press of Europe, Germany dramaticsilly withdrew from the Disarmament Conference and from the league itself. The Government dissolved the Reichstag and ordered new elections to secure an endorsement of its policy, while Herr Hitler launched statement after statement throughout the day, railing against the powers and demanding the right to equal armaments. All that appeared to be lacking was the formal declaration of war. The news first stunned all nations, then for a time roused fiery passions. Nazi brass bands marched in Unter den Linden, escorting crowds cheering the decision. The evening newspapers in Vienna and Paris indulged in a war scare until later in the clay calmer counsels prevailed. League headquarters in Geneva were shaken to their foundations. It Ls not clear whether Herr Hitler knew the contents of Sir John Simon's speech before it was actually delivered, but it is certain that events could hardly have moved faster, and it is difficult to believe that the German plans were not already cut and dried, waiting only such confirmation of the attitude of the powers as the speech would afford. No decision of a great power has caused such a sensation since the war years. The British United Press correspondent in Berlin says that as Sir John Simon spoke in Geneva, the German cabinet sat round a table and read the details. Feelings slowly mounted and suddenly the decision was taken to cut adrift from the league. Mr Arthur Henderson, president of the conference, called a meeting of British, French, American, and Italian delegates for Sunday to examine the position. Mr Ramsay Mac Donald is returning from Chequers to London io confer with his colleagues. Similar conferences of Ministers are being held in Paris and other capitals. Mr Henderson's reply to Berlin was as brief as possible, merely acknowledging receipt of the telegram, which he will submit to the Bureau.

HERE HITLER'S 3XAXXFESTO REFUSAL OF EQUALITY CAUSES ACTION NO MORE PARTICIPATION WITHOUT RIGHTS (Received October 15, 8.37 p.m.) BERLIN, October 14. Herr Hitler has issued a manifesto to. the nation. He said that Germany was most disappointed that in spite of her readiness to disarm to the utmost, the other nations did not desire to fulfil their peace treaty pledges to the German people. The Government had been humiliated by the deliberate refusal of a real moral and actual equality in spite of the promise of November 11, 1932, as a result of which Germany had agreed to participate in the Disarmament Conference. The Government considered this refusal to be unjustifiable discrimination, and would not further participate in negotiations as a secondclass power without rights. While the Government reiterated its firm desire for peace, it regretted that humiliating and dishonouring demands compelled its withdrawal from the conference and the league. The Government was submitting its decision to the people, from ■whom it expected a manifestation of a similar desire for peace and a similar conception of honour and determination.

"I am convinced," says Herr Hitler's manifesto, "that the nation, like one man, will confirm a decision springing from the love of our People and respect for their honour. "World peace is only possible if the relationship between victor and vanquished is renlaced with equal fights for all who live. Germany has the opportunity to elect deputies committed to this policy." Offer of Peace. The ma-MtWn cn,,<, that the Geroeople joyfully renew their Vow to destrov +he last German ma-chine-gun and dismiss the last man from the army if other nations would do the same. The Government desired to examine and solve "V negotiation all international Questions in a spirit of overcoming the war psychology, and was ready to conclude non-aggression pacts ensuring lot-ip- rmd latino neace, and to T "»"ticinate in a general scheme of cultural reconstruction. It considered, however, that recognition of equality must be a precedent to this, and would suffer any Persecution or affliction rather than sign treaties which would not be acceotablp l f) an honour-Wing nation. Hipr-phv IpyrVintr 1o tlv- nernptI'atinn of "10 Ti-oa+v r>f ""'orcailloc ;>"-1 i<l*!mntplv in *h„ mil.,-™ „e r.;,.:i;~-.+;^„ WPV Off CHTNA ATJT) CUTT.Ti^V For special functions, don't buy more goods than you need. Draytons ■S? out China, Glass, and Cutlery, and waver both ways. Ring or call for funiculars. It's quite a good idea. chitrr iS ' 765 Colombo str °et. Christ-

GERMAN ACTION DEFENDED EMPHASIS ON WEAKNESS IN ARMS CIIANCKLLQR'S BROADCAST (Received October 15, 7.26 p.m.) BERLIN, October 14. Herr Hitler, in a broadcast speech this evening, declared that nobody had tried so honestly to help heal the war wounds as Germany. If Germany's sufferings and sacrifices —the greatness of which was not realised—and also the absolutely fanatical loyalty with which she destroyed immeasurable quantities of war material on air, land, and sea, could not lead to pacification, it was due to a treaty which perpetuated the conceptions of victors towards I vanquished. He contended that the Nazis had I turned the threatening catastrophe of communism from Europe, which constituted an historical service. He added: "Yet the world which we had not harmed has been persecuting us for months with lies and slanders only comparable with those of the war. The Nazi revolution was the most bloodless of any yet. Communist refugees have circulated the atrocity stories. What would the world say about Germany if we held a trial in favour of a man who set fire to the British House of Parliament for the purpose of casting a slur on British justice."

j Offer to France. Referring to France, Herr Hitler said it would be a gigantic event for the world if France and Germany banished mutual violence. The German people were ready for such a course. "No territorial conflicts exist between us after the return of the Saar. If M. Daladier asks why German youth is marching, it is not to demonstrate against France, but to establish political concentration against communism. Nevertheless only the Reichswehr is armed. If the rest of the world shuts itself up in indestructible fortresses and builds j monstrous aeroplanes, tanks, and j guns, it cannot speak of a menace ! when the Nazis march in fours, entirely unarmed. "Germany does not demand offensive arms, but the right to equality and defensive weapons, which are allowed all other nations. - ' DECISION WELCOMED BY PRESS j i ~ ! (Received October 15, 8.34 p.m.) BERLIN, October 14. The newspapers welcome the Government's decision, which the "Deutsche Allgemeine £eitung' says releases Germany from an unbearable nightmare which left no natural possibilities of life. _______