ARMAMENT PLANS

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 126, 22 February 1938, Page 9

ARMAMENT PLANS

“No Wish For War, But

Not Afraid” LEAGUE CONDEMNED Manchukuo Government Recognised Berlin, February 20. Field-Marshal Goering opened the session of the Reichstag at noon, this formality occupying only three minutes. The 741 deputies, all wearing the Nazi uniform, rose smartly as Herr Hitler entered. Herr Hitler began by explaining why the Reichstag had not been sfammoned on the Nazi anniversary. “I thought it right to make certain personnel changes beforehand,” he said. “In the second place, it was necessary to make an urgent clarification in a specific sphere of foreign politics.” He proceeded to review the history of the Nazi Government, and said it appeared necessary to remind the German people that when he became Chancellor in 1933 he was not the first who was called on to save them, but the last. If he had not been made Chancellor there would have been chaos. “Anybody who destroys my mission,” he said, “is an enemy of the State, whether he is a Bolshevik, a Democrat,' or a man who rushes through the country in the name of God with a Bible in his hand.” The Nazi revolution was bloodless, not because they could not look on blood, for the Nazi leaders all par* ticipated in the war, but because they wished to emphasise their Germanic character. The best answer to Jewish international slanderers was the success of the Nazi State. “Bloodstained Murderers.” Obviously referring to the Russian and Spanish membership of the League of Nations, Herr Hitler declared that blood-stained murderers held high office in the councils of democratic countries. He said that the figure of half a million people who had been murdered in Red Spain was rather too low than too high. The post-war suffering in Germany he attributed to the demands of a merciless enemy. Germany owed nothing to foreign countries for being economically sound to-day. “For fifteen years after 1918,” he said, “we were spineless, the hopeless object of international oppression which in the name of democratic ideals thrashed our people with a cruel whip of truly sadistic egotism.” In a review of . the present day, Herr Hitler referred to the increase in exports, and said that Germany’s steel production would' this year amount to a million tons. Thus Germany would take second place to the United States in iron production. Production would be quadrupled by 1940. In other spheres the mills were being made capable of production on a gigantic scale. At the end of 1937 the German shipyards had 370,000 tons of shipping under construction for home orders, 350,000 tons for foreign orders, and other contracts for 400,000 tons which could not be executed. The orders did not include naval construction. Germany now had over a hundred aerodromes, not including military aerodromes. Her motor roads were the biggest building enterprise in the world, and 3400 bridges had been built in connection with the scheme. Describing cultural welfare undertakings, Herr Hitler said that 1,850,000 young men and 120,000 girls had passed through the schools of labour sen-ice.

Heir Hitler repeatedly described his facts as confuting notorious Jewish and international liars and slanderers. He dwelt on how it was necessary for him to take far-reaching measures. “Whoever regards himself as being obliged to undertake the mission of leading a people,” he declared, “is not responsible to the laws of Parliamentary usage or to a certain democratic outlook, but is responsible exclusively to the mission imposed upon him.” Among Herr Hitler’s claims was that 1,160,000 babies had been presented to the nation since the Nazis assumed power. The Nazi policy, he said, had reduced unemployment from 6,500,000 to 470,000. “Army Knows How to Strike.” The Fuehrer announced that in order to give Germany the position in the world it needs for the carrying out of its vital tasks additional production of armaments is being undertaken. Referring to the recent army crisis, Herr Hitler said: “The party is proud and happy concerning the armed forces. I thank Marshal von Blomberg in the name of the German people for his work, which will always be remembered. The same applies to General Fritsch, and those who retired from their posts in an honourable manner. 1 have no need to defend the honour of the German corps of officers against the slander of -international

now proclaim that we have succeeded in carrying through unparalleled rearmament* I “Those outside Germany may believe that there are divisions within Germany. They are welcome to that belief, but they may rest assured that if the necessity arises the army knows how to strike. I say that no problems exist between the Nazi State and the party or between the party and the army. We have e/irried. througli an unparalleled rearmament progamme. Our peace army is based on conscription. Our greatest achievement is our gigantic air fleet, and the German Navy will protect our frontiers.” Demand For Herr Hitler then came to the question of colonies. He said that the industrial situation was difficult because Germany had 140 persons to the square kilometre. There was a lack of fertile soil, and she had no great mineral resources. If Britain had to rely on hexown living space she would understand Germany’s difficulties. “The demand for colonies will ring louder from year to year,” he declared. “Germany has never taken away colonies from anybody. They are worthless to others but indispensable for us. I say once and for all that we are not willing, to accept credits or other promises in place of colonies. We need territories where our own currency is valid.

“We are no longer in the League of Nations, because we believe that it is an institution of Versailles and an injustice to Germany. Since Italy’s -withdrawal she no longer thinks of ever returning to the League. She will not allow herself to be dragged into foreign conflicts. “We believe we must help those countries which through misfortune have been brought to depend on the League. Thus, in the case of the Abyssinian war, -we would have desired the League to be more understanding of Italian necessities. We are not willing to defend the territorial and economic Interests of other States where we ourselves have no advantage to gain. Moreover, we do not expect such support from othe'r countries. “Germany has resolved to limit herself to her own interests and claims. We have no intention of allowing our attitude to be laid down by an international body. “Only with one State’ have we not sought to improve our relations, but we don’t desire to do so. We regard Bolshevism as the incarnation of the spirit of destruction. We don’t hold the Russian people responsible; it is a small Jewish international clique which holds Russia in this condition.” Support for Japan. Referring to Japan, Herr Hitler said: “We fear that a Japanese defeat in the Far East would never benefit Europe or America, but would exclusively benefit Soviet Russia. The greatest Japanese victory would be less dangerous than a Bolshevist victory. Peace would already have been established in the Far East if certain forces had not supported Japan’s opponents.”

He did not consider that China was strong enough mentally to exist. He would always regard Japan as an element of security in regard to culture and humanity. Italian, German and Japanese co-operation was a powerful factor in the Pacific. Herr Hitler announced Germany’s recognition of the Manchukuo Government.

“In Spain also we see a democratic country siding with Bolshevist incendiaries,” he continued. “Spain, in the event of a Red victory, would become a branch of Moscow. We are happy that Italy shares our view. The Ger-man-Italian friendship has led to stabilisation of European peace and the connection of both States with Japan has helped to stop the advance of Bolshevism.” Germany had no territorial interests in Spain. Like Italy, she was only concerned about the expansion of Bolshevism there as elsewhere. The alm of Italy and Germany was a nationalist independent Spain. “It is my sincere wish,” said Herr Hitler, “that our relations with Italy and Japan may be intensified. The Germans are not a warlike people, but a soldiering nation. They do not desire war, but are not afraid of war.” "Poisonous Press.”

“There have been recent talks of differences between Germany on the one side and Britain and France on the other.. Ido not know in what respect these differences exist. With the return of the Saar to Germany a period of Franco-German differences ended. Germany has no differences with England unless in the matter of our colonial wishes.

“The only thing which poisons the international atmosphere is the Press campaign. The British Government desires limitation of armaments. I regard as far more important the stopping of the slanderous Press campaign which is poisoning the world. The interests of the British Empire are great and are respected by us. We shall in future reply with Nazi thoroughness to the poisonous Press indictment. It was in view of a Press campaign that was that I decided,

to strengthen the army to prevent the menace of war.” Germans Outside Germany. Referring to Austria the Fuehrer said that in two States on the frontiers of Germany there were more than 19,000,000 Germans who were prevented from reunion with Germany. It was unbearable permanently to know that there jvere national comrades living outside Germany who must suffer for their German sympathies. After an allusion to Germany’s friendship with Poland, Herr Hitler thanked the Austrian Chancellor, Dr. von Schuschnigg, for accepting his invitation to Berchtesgaden, and his readiness to co-operate in the task of pacification. What had been discussed was only supplementary to the agreement of July 11, 1936. The Nazis in Austria now had the same rights as other citizens. “We are all song of one people, no'matter where the cradle stood,” he said. “Perhaps the agreement will help to lessen the tension in Europe.” Herr Hitler concluded his speech, which lasted for two hours and 53 minutes, with the words “Long live the Reich and the nation.” The deputies cheered three times, and sang “Deutschland Über Alles,” and the Horstwessel song.