Hitler’s “I Believe There Will Be A Long Peace” Reassures

Northern Advocate, 1 February 1939, Page 7

Hitler’s “I Believe There Will Be A Long Peace” Reassures

(Received 1 p.m.) LONDON, January 31. “ J BELIEVE THERE WILL BE A LONG PEACE.” IS THE PHRASE IN HERR HITLER’S SPEECH WHICH HAS PRODUCED THE CHIEF INTERNATIONAL REACTION. ALTHOUGH INTERPRETED IN VARIOUS WAYS, IT IS ACCEPTED IN SOME Q CARTERS WITHOUT RESERVATION. It is notable that several German newspapers emphasise the point. The Berlin correspondent of the British United Press draws attention to a discrepancy in the Propaganda Ministry’s semi-official German and English

versions of Herr Hitler’s pledge to Italy.

The English version states: “It will only serve the cause of peace if it is clearly understood that war of rival ideologies against Italy, regardless of its motive, would call Germany to the side of her friends.” The German version states: “War against Italy, be it waged for whatever motive, and on whatever pretext, would call Germany to the side of her friends.”»

The Propaganda Ministry says the discrepancy is due to hurried translation. Diplomatic circles speculate as to whether the word “ideologies” was purposely inserted to warn Britain that if she sided with France against Italy. Germany would hasten to Italy’s aid, but that Germany would have an excuse for non-intervention if France and Italy alone were involved.

Official circles in Berlin believe that Herr Hitler accidentally omitted the phrase “War of rival ideologies,” but afterwards inserted it in the official translation.

The Paris representative of the British United Press says a third version of Herr Hitler’s pledge to Italy was issued in French by the Official German Agency, as a result of which observers consider that Herr Hitler is not pledged to support Signor Mussolini in the event of war with France due to an Italian attempt to seize French colonies forcefully. The French version reads: “The certainty that any frivolously declared war against Italy, regardless of motive, would find Germany beside her can only be useful to peace.”