HITLER’S AMBITIONS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 169, 17 June 1940, Page 7

HITLER’S AMBITIONS

gI'BES AT THE ALLIES. REMARKABLE INTERVIEW. Received June 17, 9.0 a.m. NEW YORK, June. 15. Hitler, when interviewed to-day by the American journalist, Karl von Wiegand, said: “Germany is not interested in the Americas, hut tlie lion- ' roe Doctrine should prevent tlie Americas from interfering in Europe. I 0 know: that The United States’s delivery of ’planes and other materials will not affect' the outcome of the war. The Allies will lose because of their bad military organisation and worse leadership. “I never intended to destroy the British Empire. On the contrary, I offered armed assistance to safeguard it. I asked only for Britain to protect the German coast in the event of war, and also for colonies—which 1 will get. My offer was scorned, while it was openly declared and printed in London that Germany must he broken up and disarmed. “One thing will he destroyed, the capitalistic clique which were prepared to sacrifice a; million lives for their petty interests. They will he destroyed not by me hut bv tlieir people.” SEA CONTROL ENVIED. Hitler is reported to have declared that this war will certainly scrap the British system of sea control, which would lie the greatest blessing for the world. The freedom of tlie seas whi6h Gemany Had in mind was the absolute and indisputable right of all non-belli-gerents to use the seas to trade among themselves unconditionally, without control by warring nations. He added that Germany had no territorial or political interests in the Mediterranean. “Germany refuses to accept conceptions whereby everybody is entitled to interfere everywhere in everything.” lie said.- “If certain nations, principally Britain and France, see fit to declare that they alone have interests throughout tbs world—that constitutes a claim to world domination which awakening peoples will not tolerate. Germany will not tolerate other Powers concerning themselves with lier living space. Germany will not intrude into affairs outside her own vital sphere and which are mainly the concern of other na- i tions.

“When members of the British Cabinet declare that England’s frontier is the Rhine this is the limit of stupidity and unbearable arrogance. We shall settle the question of the Rhine frontier for all time, so in future it is hoped • that British Prime Ministers will not he liable to such geographic delusions. There can; be no real peace unless the vital requirements of the great nations are duly respected. 1 am aware of the fact .that this aim cannot be reached by treaties' alone, hut it must he realised by the dawning of reason within the nations. If the military defeat of Britain and France should bring a victory for reason, even those countries’ sacrifices in this war may not have been so vain as may now seem.” WORTHLESS PROMISES. *APT REPLY TO HITLER. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, June 15. . In a broadcast comment- on the Hitler-von Weigand interview, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minis-, try of Information (Mr Harold Nicolson) analysed the meaning of “capitalistic clique” which Hitler announced he was determined to destroy. This ‘ included. Mr Nicolson said, not only Messrs Churchill, Morrison and'Bevin, but also those persons who had obtained a stake in tlie country and those, whether trade union leaders or others, who had gained the confidence and respect of their fellow citizens. This was what had been done in Poland. Both there and in Czechoslovakia the Nazi conquest had resulted in long hours at starvation wages and the abolition of trade unions and the right either to strike or protest. Mr Nicolson also dealt with Hitler’s intention to “restore the freedom of the seas,” and he pointed out that for 1-50 years the British Fleet had maintained the seas free from Napoleon. Bismarck, and the Kaiser, and 1 the British Navy would keep- the seas free from Hitler’s domination. “PEACE OF DEATH.” The Fuehrer, oaid Mr Nicolson.. was a little disconcerted when asked by Mr von Weigand what were his peace terms. He could only say that his “peace aim was peace.” Mr Nicolson. proceeded. “The peace, I suppose, of Czechoslovakia, Austria, Poland. Denmark. Norway’, Holland and Belgium for France and Britain —the peace of death.” . Speaking of Hitler’s statement that he did not desire to destroy the British Empire, Mr Nicolson reminded his listeners of llie fate of Czechoslovakia'. “When Hitler decided to murder Czechoslovakia lie did not announce to the world that murder was his intention. He assured us he had ho further territorial ambitions in Europe. He asserted that all he desired was a slight rectification of the frontiers. Yet when he had made the rectification and thereby Tendered Czechoslovakia po wenlevs, to resist him lie pwooped on their capital and took them into slavery.” Similarly, if Hitler were able to rob Britain of lier naval defences she would be powerless before him. “We should have paid a shameful price for the peace, and peace would be denied us." Mr Nicolson said. “We shall rot pay a shameful price for peace. The honour and safety of t-lie world lies in our hands.”