HITLER’S CASE

Grey River Argus, 5 September 1939, Page 10

HITLER’S CASE

SPEECH TO REICHSTAG His Proposals for Settlement not given a HEARING. LONDON? September 1n a nt err of H the r ’ 100 members being at Jbe f sai • whom the m h Th German w0 ““ v ' was* t he' Viet J ”ol numerS through All these proposals have bee Cd Herr Hitler then outlined his s>xX 1 ,n I U repeat loyal proposals, for I know very well that in making them, I brought myse into opposition to millions of Ger mans. These proposals have been re fused They were answered not only by mobilisation, but by increased terror against German compatriots. Poland has directed its fight against Germany. It did not think ? keeping its obligation to the minon Ses whereas we have done so everywhere. No Frenchman can say that the French minority in the Saar is oppressed. I time and time again have uttered a warning against these developments, and I increased these warnings in the past few days, have said that, if the Poles oppress the minority further, and try destroy Danzig economically and politically, Germany can no longer look on. I have also no doubt that the Germany of to-day cannot be compared with the Germany of yesterday. My Government has vainly waited for two days for a reply from Poland. We could not put up with euch delays and impudence. I have decided to give Poland no light lesson. We will not hesitate for a second in carrying out our duty. “My last attempt at a peaceful settlement has been made, although I am convinced that the Polish Government is under the influence of the Jewish clique, and that her soldiers are not earnest over the British proposals for negotiation. The British Government did not want to initiate negotiations itself, but wanted to bring the Poles to the conference table. I therefore worked out the proposals mentioned. I have sat here for three days, without the Poles sending a plenipotentiary. If it is expected that the German Reich and its •Fuehrer will tolerate such a thing, then the German nation might well step down from the political stage. Therefore, I have decided to speak to the Poles as they have spoken to us for months past.

“I have given a solemn assurance that we demand nothing from the Western Powers, and will never demand anything. I have time and time again offered Britain our friendship, and, if necessary, our closest co-opera-tion, but this cannot only be offered from one side, and must be reciprocal, Our western wall represents for all time our western frontier. We have no further goals there for the future. Other European States partly understand our attitude. We must, above all, thank Italy, who has supported us the whole time, but they will understand that I do not. appeal for foreign help in this fateful hour. We will carry on this task ourselves.” Referring to the Russo-German Pact, Herr Hitler said: This mutual non-aggression pact is one for all time. Germany and Russia fought against each other in the last war. That won’t happen a second time. He continued: These are our aims: Firstly, to solve the Danzig question; secondly, to solve the Corridor question; thirdly, to ensure a change in the relations between Poland and Germany, enabling them to live together- peaceably. I, therefore, am determined to. fight until the Polish Government is prepared to establish good relations, or until another Government is prepared to do so. I wish to remove once and for all from the German frontiers the element of insecurity and the atmosphere of eterhal civil warfare. I wish to ensure that the peace on our eastern borders shall not have a different appearance from the peace on our western borders. I have given my Air Force orders to confine themselves to military objectives in attacking Polandbut if our opponent believes that he will be able to fight with other means, we will give him such an answer as will stun him. Let none think that the re will ever again be a November hke that of 1918 in Germany. Every erman must' to-day be a standard°ur resistance. I also expect the German women to put themseJves into this fight with iron discipline. We are all determined that we shall never capitulate. If our Will is so strong that no necessity can ° v ® rcom e it, then this will and our Blight shall prevail.”

POLISH ATTACK ALLEGED Herr Hitler then read a bill relating to Danzig’s incorporation in the Reich, which was received with unanimous applause and cheering. Continuing, Herr Hitler said: Neutral States have given us an assurance of their neutrality, which we will respect as long as others do not violate it. “Last night,” he said, “Poland was fighting on our territory. Since 5.45 a.m. we have been shooting back. Every bomb will be answered with bombs. Whoever fights with poison gas will be fought with poison gas. This fight no matter against whom, will be fopght until we have secured our rights. I have worked for six years in building up the German Army. Over 90,000 million marks have been spent in its construction and to-day it is the best armed and strongest force in the world. If I now demand ever sacrifice from the German people, I have the right Io do so. J myself am repdy to makq every

conceivable sacrifice. There will be no shortage in Germany to which I myself will not submit. I put on once more that coat which is the dearest reward (referring to his uniform). I will not take it off until ■“ are victorious. Should anything happen to me, my successor is FieldMarshal Goering, and after him Herr Hess. Should anything' happen to him, then I have appointed the Senate, which will make ‘the most worthy—that is, the bravest—its leader. My life was nothing more than a life for Germany’s resurrection. One word I have neves known is capitulation.”