NAZI REGIME

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21782, 23 April 1934, Page 9

NAZI REGIME

LEADER'S DEFENCE

ARMAMENT POLICY STRENGTH OF FRANCE INTERNAL CONDITIONS By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received April 22, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, April 21 The Premier of Prussia, General Goering, in an interview in Berlin, said he would like to revisit England, where he had frequently been since the war and enjoyed himself. He could not understand why the English newspapers represented him as a bloodthirsty pig. General Goering said that since the death penalty had been re-enforced in Germany the percentage of crimes and murders had dropped tremendously. Regarding the air service General Goering, as Minister of Air, declared that Germany had no military machines but he would always demand them and always discuss Germany's air defence. She could not be blamed for taking at least most primitive measures for air protection. " I have had £2.500,000 for bombproof buildings, air defence training and fire brigades," continued General Goering, " but that is only a fraction of our requirements. The chief difficulty about disarmament is not German rearmament but that France is armed to the teeth and will not surrender anything."

Although Communism had been almost abolished it could not be entirely abolished in Germany while it was supported in other countries. Its danger should not be under-estimated because a-surprise might be forthcoming.

Communists were becoming increasingly active owing to the mildness of punishment in the concentration camps. There were 6000 or 7000 inmates of these camps and nearly all were Communists. Ho had decided upon new Draconian measures. Torgler, Thaelniann and other leaders would not be released because their trials on charges of treason were pending. " I remain in supreme command of the police," said General Goering, "and I am aware of any "opposition to mo in the Nazi Party. " The church disputes disgust me, but if they trouble the State I shall rap the fingers of the leaders, whether they are Evangelicals or Roman Catholics."

FUTURE PROCEDURE GRAVITY OF SITUATION CONVENTION STILL URGENT British Wireless RUGBY, April 20 The Disarmament Committee of the British Cabinet again reviewed the situation in the light of the latest developments. There is no inclination in London to minimise the gravity of the position created by the breakdown of the diplomatic conversations, but there arc indications, in spite of the discouragement thus caused, that Britain's efforts will not be relaxed.

A renewed attempt to secure a convention is strongly urged by the Manchester Guardian, which says the terms of the French Note make it impossible for a continuance of the conversations, but do not render further efforts at the Disarmament Conference impossible.

There is no reason, the Guardian contends, why France or Britain, or the five smaller Powers who lately propounded a plan of limitation, should not make their own proposals at Geneva.

It is fairly well known now what Germany demands, and therefore it would bo a case of discovering to what the conference, without Germany, could agree. After that, it would not take long to find out what Germany had to say about the result.

But in particular it is still to be discovered whether the •jonditions of security on which the French would consent to reduce or limit their armaments —to limit say for five years and reduce during the next five —are such as Britain can possibly consider. Viscount Cecil, in an interview published in the News Chronicle, suggests that Britain should agree to France's request for the summoning of the General Commission. Unfortunately the Germans would not be there, but every opportunity should be taken of informing them of the discussions. The Executivo Committee of the League of Nations Union, London, also urges the Government to ask for an immediate meeting of the commission and then to present a definite scheme based on the general abolition of weapons now ior bid den to Germany, together with equally definite proposals for a collective economic guarantee of observance of the disarmament treaty, as well as a reaffirmation of all the existing international obligations for the preservation of peace. In other quarters it is assumed that the next step will be. a meeting of the bureau of the conference to proceed with the task of preparing a new copy of the original British draft convention, inserting additional points upon which general agreement has been reached.

HITLER S BIRTHDAY PUBLIC ENTHUSIASM BERLIN, April 20 The German Chancellor, Herr Hitler, spent his 45th birthday quietly at Berghtesgaden, hut flags were flown everywhere, and the streets were thronged with cheering people.