The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED DAILY MONDAY, MAY 22, 193:1. HITLER'S “PEACE" SPEECH.

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXIII, Issue 11950, 22 May 1933, Page 4

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED DAILY MONDAY, MAY 22, 193:1. HITLER'S “PEACE" SPEECH.

Tlie intiul views registered throughout, 11 1*0 world in connection with Herr Hiller's “peace” speech on behalf of Germany "ere somewhat guarded but created the impression that Hie utterance was more salisfdc' torv than luul been generally anticipated. Second thoughts .on the matter are, in large measure, very differ-, out mid there is a widespread demand that Germany must, at the Disarmament Conference, translate Herr Hitlct’s assurances i'iit'o much more definite pledges in order to afford proof of her sincerity. It will be ' generally agreed that Herr Hid ler has, however, placed Germany ill a position from which any retreat at Geneva will •require, to be of a very clumsy charactei'. Tbs 'State of affairs lla s led some Home journals to suggest that it' would be a very good, thing if the other Towers were to take Germany at Herr Hitler s word In all the circunlstaiifces, it is difficult to see that Herr Hitler could be anything blit conciliatory in view of tlio nature of the peace plan ••propounded by tile .British Pfimo Minister iuid of President ItoosoVult’S splendid message in support of world' peace, coupled w.ith tlio fact that .something tangible in the sliajje of .results is so. widely : desired ni connection witlq the .Disarmament Conference. It would have' astounded the world if, fod instance, Hear Hiller had said that lie applauded Capt. yon -Papon’s recent glorification of war aiid his “Pacificism, does not understand Hie old German liOrroa of meeting one’s death in bed.’ There .vvoulcl have been just as much dismay if Herr Hitler liiicl agreed with Baron vein JSeiifath’s cdjially . fialili and brutal intimation “that wb (Geiemany) Shall bo forced to complete our -. 'armaments whatever the gepeml

■'limitation^ * witlUh• the iSritisli CpeM plan.” Herr Hitter made one reliiark, however, that was' so. extravagant' that it is not likely to ho taken sbi’iously. “Wo arc ifcady,” ho said, “to destroy all our armaments, if the o'thor nations are prepared to do likcwiso”! He was, of course, quite safe, in making such an olfer, seeing that no oilier nation 'is to-day in a position to dispense with the whole of its armaments. It is, of Course, well-known to Herr Hitler that the big problem at Gbiieva will be to devise ways and ni'eaiis of supplementing existing guarantees to ehsUa-o world peace. This important matter can no longer be disposed of merely bv further pious declarations, because peace- and extensive armaments never long .remain loyal companions. What is essential, therefore, is that there shall he a further substantial all-round cut in armaments In this connection, Germany’s real attitude amounts to this: the armament's of all ether nations should be levelled down to licr own strength, of she must be permitted to build liers up to life level of those of other first-class nations. This is the. real crux of the whole matter Hritam and the- XJnitec* Slates in particular can be depended upon t 0 favour a general levelling down, of armaments. On the other lined. France is bound to remain criiieuk Whilst armaments in any measure are permitted, and even if Germany should not he more- heavily armed than she is. France will regard Germany as an untrustworthy neighbour—oiio ready at any time to seek revenge. Such being, the case, France's plea for further guarantees against aggression will also play a vorv important part in the momentous discussions at Geneva. There is ground for hope that Herr Hitler lias improved the peace atmosphere to sonic extent. Tl: will, however, wot be known for certain whether hi s speech represents the real Germany until the delegates at Geneva get down -solidly to work. As Hie old saving goes; “Actions always speak louder tlian words.”