Leader – Chancellor States His Case

Northern Advocate, 9 March 1936, Page 5

Leader - Chancellor States His Case

The Problem "Of Restricted Area

[United Press Association. —By Electric Telegraph. — Copyright .l ■ (Received 10 a.m.)

rpHE BERLIN CORRESPONDENT A OF “THE TIMES” SAYS THAT WITH CHARACTERISTIC SUDDENNESS HERR HITLER SUMMONED THE REICHSTAG TQ MEET AT NOON TODAY TO HEAR A STATEMENT FROM HIM ON FOREIGN POLICY. HE INVITED THE BRITISH. FRENCH AND ITALIAN AMBASSADORS. AS REPRESENTATIVES OF THE LOCARNO. POWERS, TO VISIT HIM BEFORE THE REICHSTAG MET.

This combination of events led to the expectations that Herr Hitler would especially refer to the present potential position of the Locarno Treaty, and possibly clarify in advance Germany’s attitude, to the French request for additional British guarantees against German aggression on the Rhine. Also jt led to the anticipation that Herr Hitler intends to make a statement when the 'Franco-Soviet pact is ratified.

General Goering this'evening is to entertain leading Nazis and members of the Reichstag at a beer party, at which, no doubt, he will reveal the general lines of a declaration to an audience which presumably will enthusiastically and unanimously approve it tomorrow.

Germany’s Sacrifices.

Herr Hitler entered the ReiChstag at noon. He said: “General Goering summoned you at my orders. It is a meeting which the people will regard as decisive.”

The Leader-Chancellor then reviewed the years following the Great War, declaring that Germany, above all the nations, had made sacrifices for the late Mr Woodrow Wilson’s idealism, yet tension had increased more than ever. ‘The God. of War had not laid down his armour, but marched through the world more heavily armed than ever. ; ; ■

The nations had forced Germany to take credit and simultaneously had destroyed her exports trade, blaming her . afterwards fol unwillingness to pay. ;

The European nations, after all, were members of a family. If common sefose was not employed there would' be an explosion, which would leave a field of chaos behind. It w£s unwise to believe that in so small a house as Europe it was possible to have different conceptions of what was right. “The world often speaks of the German problem, which many consider lies in the difference (between the German regime and that of other countries,” continued Herr Hitler. “Others feared in Germany’s alleged was lust, dormant aggressive intentions arid devilish ability to get the better of her opponents.

The Real. Problem.

The real German problem is that 67,000,00 Q Germans' live in a restricted area, but claim just the same right

LONDON.' March 7

to live as others.. They have as little longing as the British and Frenchmen to die as heroes for fantastic ideas.

“Another German problem is the Soviet interference in' German affairs. Germany’s rearmament is not a revival of the European problem, but its solution. Germany has saved ether nations from Bolshevism.

“Europe is divided into two halves. , One is composed of independent national states, .yvith which we are tied by history and culture. The other half is 'governed by intolerant Bolshevist philosophy. It is regrettable that after all Germany’s effort to come to terms France should conclude a Franco-Soviet Pact.' I proposed everything possible to lessen the tension between France and Germany, but all my suggestions were rejected. Britain, with a sense of reality, accepted my proposal for .a restrictive naval agreement’ i Which is all that remains of the* disarmament efforts.” • r L /

Russia’s Armaments. .

Herr Hitler described Russia’s arma-' ments, declaring that it was contrary to the spirit .of Locarno, and adding that the Soviet had championed ‘Bolshevism. Would Paris become another Moscow? he asked. V; . N

After speaking, for 70 minutes, Herr Hitler read the memorandum he had handed to the foreign Ambassadors, in which he stated that it was indisputable that the/Franco-Russiah Pact was solely directed against Germany. “Russia assumes obligations far' beyond the stipulations of the League Covenant,” said the memorandum. “France, thus, claims for herself the right fo decide who is an aggressor.” “The agreement in practice' means nothing other than a decision to act as if the League and Locarno did not exist.”. .. •; '?*-

Herr Hitler finished by announcing the re-occupation of the'Rhineland. “In this historic hour, when German troops are entering, their garrisons in the western provinces of the Reich,” fie said, “we join them in a solemn bath not to yield to any power or force in our efforts to restore the honour of the nation. We will succumb rather than Capitulate.”

General Goering announced that the Reichstag would be dissolved to enable the people to vote ori the Governthent’s policy on March 29. V .