“GERMANY READY TO EXERT UTMOST POWERS”

Press, Volume LXXV, Issue 22676, 3 April 1939, Page 9

“GERMANY READY TO EXERT UTMOST POWERS”

Speech Made by Herr Hitler At Wilhelmshaven

‘WILL NOT BE SUBSERVIENT SLAVE * TO BRITAIN AND FRANCE”

(DOTTED PEES 3 ASSOCIATION —COPYRIGHT.)

(Received Aprjl 2, 11 p.m.)

LONDON, April I.

Herr Hitler in his speech at Wilhelmshaven, which was expected to be a reply to Mr Chamberlain’s announcement of the British military guarantees to Poland, did not denounce the British-German Naval Agreement. He said if Britain no longer adhered to her agreement not to fight against Germany, the basis of the naval agreement would have vanished.

The rally at Nuremberg in September would be entitled “the Party Rally of Peace,” but any persons desiring to rearm could not tire out Germany, who was prepared to exert her utmost powers in the test of strength in which her friends would march with her.

“We would have nothing against an independent Czech State,” Herr Hitler added, “if she had not oppressed the Germans and been used as an instrument of Communism. We employed the old German right to annex her, uniting with that right what history and geography dictated.

“Germany does not dream of attacking others; she desires only to develop economically. The axis will persist in all circumstances, and at all times. I congratulate those who do not perceive ideological differences between Britain and Russia.

“Spain demonstrates the triumph of freedom over Bolshevism. Germany will not be a subservient slave to Britain and France, but will assert her vital national rights which she is strong enough to protect.

The speech lasted 62 minutes, the crowd hooting at the mention of Britain.

Herr Hitler spoke from a balcony shielded by bullet-proof glass.

NO MENTION OF

“A CATEGORICAL STATEMENT”

BROADCAST

POLAND

COMMENT BY FOREIGN

OFFICE

HITLER’S RIDICULE

(Received April 2, 10 p.m.)

To America

FOR BRITAIN

LONDON, April 1,

The Foreign Office issued a statement declaring that official quarters are surprised at attempts made in London to minimise Mr Chamberlain’s statement in the House of Commons.

TALKING-SHOP METHODS

MISTAKE

CONDEMNED

It is regarded as of outstanding importance, the meaning being perfectly clear and categorical.

(Received April 2, 11.30 p.m.) LONDON, April 1. In his speech at Wilhelmshaven, Bwr Hitler did not mention Poland, be made no i sensational announcement. He ridiculed rather than scolded Britain. Only through increased producas a result of labour and not through fiscal tricks could the people’s welfare be enhanced, he aid.

Official quarters feel there is no doubt that the Polish Government will wish to keep the British Government fully informed, although Britain does not seek in any way to influence Polish conduct or relations with Germany.

“ THE CHALLENGE

FACED”

“If a British statesman said all problems should be discussed by of a conference,” Herr Hitler I™“I reply: ‘You had 15 years and did not do it.’ We wild achieve nothing if we waited J no r e years to solve problems J™pugh talking-shop methods. Our are better and safer, anj ■ wor W to-day says England France are virtuous, and Italy J? l ,^Jf r ® a ny l are bad, the judgment If'nL *° a superhuman being. ♦Ka F bnnk they own a quarter of S; Wor \4 because they are virtuwe know the virtues by which fhl ..passed these possessions. t n j,7~ 1e3 mistake the Germany of ai-n tj *be Germany of 16 years rah\ ” *bey believe we will perL encirclement, if they try ’eetVfii, sm all Powers they will from the fire for them, eaonoh 8 ? owers , will have sense breaifi u see on which side their is buttered. to nJ 1 /?’ 3 and Moravia belonged iennin«?S n ] (ian Em P ir e for a milwe would not have obnot a . "1 ?* ec b independence had asainffW, become an instrument jSSL--®*rmany. We united to *be Czechs, who will have Peonl£ m i Ie i es t ' ian the suppressed JieivL 0 * ese virtuous empires. 68^ 8 J’F dest roying the •German. instrument.

WAR SECRETARY APPEALS FOR TERRITORIALS

LONDON, March 31. The Secretary of State for War <Mr L. Hore-Belisha), in a public speech, said: _ T ... “Our country has spoken. With what pride we have heard the message spring from the heart of the British people, saying to the wouldbe aggressor: ‘Hold back; no further will you go.’ “While we njay be grateful that it is our duty so to encourage a world which is beginning to despair. others cherishing the light ot freedom will be stirred to know that their cause will he championed and the challenge faced. We have given evidence of our determination to do so.” • , , Mr Hore-Belisha appealed for 250,000 territorials. -

of a mutual desire for peace. We are sure of ourselves because we are strong. If others rearm, we will do the same. I shall continue on this path, on which we will proceed more rapidly than others. - . ‘‘The axis is the most natural m the world. Those who see' no ideological differences between Britain and Russia deserve congratulations. The philosophical community of Italian and German ideals differs from that of Mr Chamberlain s England and M. Stalin’s Russia. “I do not know whether the vmrld will ultimately become Fascist. i do not believe it will be National Socialist, but it will free itself of the Jewish Bolshevism which makes international co-operation impossible. . “Germany, united at home, may be unloved, but respected abroad. We have given Europe the happiness of peace, protected by German might. No power in the world shall break 11 Herr Hitler left afterwards for Heligoland.

*WIU Not Accept Intimidation” dude ft^» !E, r?? ag ? ndist to conattack iW we intend to Such an idea is a PPointmln? U l ga i ed to con ceal displan^tel6^l at the destruction of a Germany. prepare attacks against not t fiß»inatelv l ° r |ir n count nes indisInternationHi want to maintain economic relations. wiKt l ghbpurs hon estly. We but*we win°nof Who 1 ? a - ve ? 4 s Nation. We wIU not acce Pt mtimi-ctori^b'-Sermfn naval agreecan only in the event

AN INTERRUPTED

Relay of Speech

OPERATIVES BLAMED FOR

(Received April 2, 11.30 p.m.)

LONDON, April 1

A translation of Herr Hitler s speech, which was being transmitted by short-wave to America from Zeesen, was suddenly cut off, allegedly because of a land-line defect. No such mishap has occurred since 1933. Most Germans were unaware that Herr Hitler was speaking, because the newspapers had not disclosed the fact.

The speech was not broadcast as a whole, only excerpts being transmitted between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. The authorities denied that the land-line was defective, and blamed operatives for the mistake in stopping the short-wave transmission. A New York message says American radio listeners were disappointed when Herr Hitler’s address was cut off the air after only 42 words had been spoken. No official explanation was forthcoming from Germany, but radio circles in America are of the opinion that Herr Hitler ordered it to be cut off for fear that Germans should hear the short-wave rebroadcasts from the United States accompanied by the unfavourable comments of American commentators. The “New York Times” in a leading article says: “The speech was truculent in the usual Hitler manner, but it proposed no immediate action other than the possible denunciation of Germany’s naval treaty with Britain—which would amount merely to an empty gesture —and refrained significantly from any ultimatum to Poland. It is much too soon to say that last week’s crisis is definitely over, nevertheless it is apparent that there will at least be a respite, which is the primary goal of British policy.” The New York “Herald Tribune” says: “The mere halting of one man’s voice set loose a host of world-wide rumours that official explanations have yet to overtake. If the Fuhrer’s ears did not burn as a result of the wistful thinking which circled the globe, they should have. Rarely in history can so much ill-will and suspicion have been concentrated on one individual and the resulting speech that was finally distributed to an excited world could hardly fail to prove an anti-climax, It was indeed a singularly unimpressive reply to Mr Chamberlain’s announcement. There was hardly a word of specific response. The Hitlerian bluster about the' German navy deserved the smiles it bestirred in England,’*