Acts Will Speak Louder Than Words

Horowhenua Chronicle, 19 May 1933, Page 7

Acts Will Speak Louder Than Words

GERMAN CHANCELLOR’S STATEMENT. BRITISH PRESS COMMENT. Received Thursday, 10.30 p.m. LONDON, May 18. Most of the editorials make the point that while Hitler’s speech was conciliatory it must be tested by the conduct of the German delegate at Geneva, in .dther words, acts will speak louder than words. The Times says: “Hitler was hardly telling the whole story when he said t -Germany had faithfully fulfilled her - obligations under the Versailles Treaty. ■On the other hand, his statement that international agreements can only have xeal value when made between nations with equal rights cannot really be challenged. There will never be a tranquiiJised Europe until the obligations imposed by the Versailles Treaty have been converted with minimum alterations into an agreed peace.’’ The Daily Mail says: “Hitler’s speech proves him to be a statesman. Nothing could be more emphatic than his denunciation of war. The acceptance of President ’Roosevelt’s proposal’s will enable a disarmament scheme to secure the general adoption of a large scheme of disarmament. Verbal assurances won’t remove the reluctance of Germany’s neighbours to disarm, but if -deeds follow a real advance should be possible. The League must show Germany that she is mistaken in thinking herself unwanted within it. The Daily Herald (Labour) says: ‘ Hitler’s : speech was studiously moder Ate. It was a gesture not of defiance, but of conciliation. Aii sensible people though loathing the brutalities of the Nazi policy at home will feel relieved .at Hitler’s acceptance of the Eobsevelt proposal. This must be followed by a similar acceptance on the part of other Powers. The great obstacle ahead is Hitler’s own past. His wild words and worse actions created such suspicion that there will be a genuine fear that the speech is merely a smoke screen and .■a delusion, 'we say frankly .Hitler .should be taken at his word.’’

Will Appropriate Deeds Follow ? . \ WHAT AMERICA THINKS I Received Thursday, 8 p.m. I NEW YORK, May 17. ' While Americans, including officials .•at Washington, are viewing Hitler's speech as far more conciliatory than lad been expected, the distrust aroused by Nazi Germany has hardly yet been dispelled. The Hearst Press, although distinctly anti-French, will say to-morrow: “To speak frankly, if Hitler is the type of man that Germany wants, that is perhaps Germany’s business; but we Americans who believe fervently in the gospel of liberty and independence do not want to participate in ■any new international set-up which will make our national welfare contingent on the thoughts and spoken words of the Nazi leader.” The New York Times, in a leader -to-morrow, will say: “As far as words :go, Hitler has done much to reassure the opinion-of other nations, but they will not cease to ask whether appropriate deeds are to. follow. A great ■deal more is necessary to convince the world that' Germany seeks not only peace within her borders but civilised and humane methods of government within them. ’’