HITLER’S SPEECH

Grey River Argus, 28 April 1942, Page 5

HITLER’S SPEECH

DEFEAT OF BRITAIN And the Soviet PROCLAIMED MAIN OBJECTS NEW POWERS OBTAINED. [Aust. & N.Z. Cable Assn.) LONDON, April 26. Hitler, on Sunday at 2 p.m., addressed the Reichstag in the Krall Opera House. He said that the war would end in catastrophe- for the British Empire. It was divine law 'that what God had condemned to death, man must annihilate. “This Winter,”- daid Hitler, “we accomplished the impossible, and stood the test against unheard of odds. This Winter, a world-wide battle has been decided, more important and greater than anything that has been decided before by force of arms.

“I demand obedience from the whole nation, both in the front and the rear. I demand that the whole nation give me power, wherever it is necessary, to act as I think fit. Germany and Germans must serve only one purpose—victory. No one at such a time is entitled to talk of his rights. Only duties exist to-day.”

Hitler said that the war would not end this year, but the next few months would tell who was to win. He had already arranged supplies for next Winter.

The Fuehrer spoke at length of. difficulties on the Prussian front, but said he had not failed where Napoleon failed, despite a much more severe Winter than Napoleon met. The temperature on the eastern front had caused operations to come to an end, four months sooner than he expected. The German with-' drawal to Winter positions was an extremely difficult process, and added to all, was a- psychological difficulty caused by the defeat of Napoleon “We shall continue the war on tha eastern front, and hammer the Bolshevik colossus until it is smashed,’’ he continued. “Against Britain, our greatest weapon is the submarine. Churchill boasted he had mastered the menace, but it is a menace that will master Churchill. England will bear ithe brunt of Üboat warfare, and the U-boat weapon is growing better and better.’ If England continues raids against our civilian population I will return blow for blow. If we lose this war, it will be the end of us. Everything must be concentrated on winning the war. England cannot win anything in this war. She will lose everything. “I have no more requests to make to the Almighty than that He will watch over us in the future as in the past, and grant that I may live aslong as necessary ,in His eyes for the fateful struggle of the German people.” Marshal Goering read a decree giving Hitler, regardless of existing laws, decrees or personal rights, the power to compel any officer, soldier, official, or civilian, to do his duty by all means.

“I ask for official endorsement to possess the legal right to compel everyone to fulfil his duty, and if lie does not carry out his duties, to dismiss him, irrespective of who he is or what acquired rights he may possess. I expect German justice to understand that the nation does not exist for the convenience of that justice, but that justice exists to serve the nation. Judges not recognising the demands will be removed from office.” Goering announced that Hitler had Assumed the new title of Supreme Law Lord.

The words of the Nazi spokesman, introducing this sweeping change, that “it was Hitler who took measures necessary to overcome unheard of hardships ofThe weather in the days when it seemed impossible to go bn resisting in spite of the greatest valour,” were an echo ot the speech .itself. A resolution was passed in the Reichstag, following Hitler’s speech giving him ■ full powers over every German citizen, abrogating every civil right and privilege, and making special mention of the necessity for the judges in the Law Courts to recognise this lact.