HERR HITLER’S SPEECH

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22831, 16 March 1936, Page 9

HERR HITLER’S SPEECH

PURPOSE BEHIND ACTION WORLD RESPECT FOR GERMANY NO DESIRE FOR BLOODSHED MUNICH, March 14. (Received March 15, at 7.30 p.m.) All Germany flocked to Munich to hear Herr Hitler’s speech. The Fulirer, in a brown uniform and a brown leather overcoat, arrived at 4.30 p.m., accompanied by his personal adjutant Brucckner and was welcomed by the Nazi leader, General Wagner, the head of the Black Guards, and a small crowd, owing to the secrecy of his arrival. Herr Hitler drove to a hotel to complete the details of his speech. Meanwhile the Propaganda Ministry had explained that the League Council’s invitation had reached the Chancellery after Herr Hitler’s departure, precluding an immediate reply, which is now expected to be made tomorrow. Special trains brought 20,000 Storm Troopers, Black Guards, and Labour corps and party members, who were distributed about the city in readiness for the evening’s mammoth parade, a striking feature of which was the general repetition of “ the holy oaths never to waver from the Fuhrer’s side and accompany him in happiness to struggle, work and sacrifice, not for ourselves but sacred Germany.” Bands entertained the crowds with exclusively military music throughout the .afternoon. The town was plastered with posters and banners urging demonstrations for peace with honour against jingoism and Bolshevism in loyalty to Herr Hitler. Two hundred loud speakers studded the mile square meadow surrounding the Exhibition Hall, accommodating 10,000, in which Herr Hitler’s rostrum was erected. Hollywood could not have eclipsed the setting in which Herr Hitler opened his election campaign, Bengal flares and artillery salutes marking his progress. Listeners outside shivci’ed in the cold while Genei'al Wagner filled up the wait for Herr Hitler, who was detained for an hour by conversations with Herr von Ribbentrop and Herr Hess regarding the League Council’s invitation. General Wagner paid a tribute to the gathering of 300,000 as the mightiest seen in Munich. He lauded Herr Hitler as Germany’s saviour. Herr Hitler was received with a roar of cheering when General Wagner presented him a unanimous resolution conveying the sentiment embodied in his speech. Herr Hitler called on his hearers for a third time to declare their faith in the Third Reich and vote to show that he did not face the world alone. “ I have the whole nation behind me,” he said. “ I have decided to hold the elections in this faith. I will be Germany’s courageous champion, not afraid to assume responsibility. I wish to regain for Germany respect in the world’s eyes, I did what I did, not because I liked playing soldiers, but to restore the strength of the people. The most peaceful animal needs claws in order not to be attacked. No flattery or threats will induce me to abandon my rights. The world must receive Germany as a partner, not as a slave. “ I go the way which fate has shown me with the certainty of a somnambulist. Germany does not desire to wage eternal war nor gain her ends by bloodshed. We have another way. Six hundred thousand births yearly mean the rejuvenation of the German people. “We must leave the whole colonial question to common sense. We shall never agree to a division of the nations by the Versailles Treaty into good or bad, and will not let ourselves be treated a? negro slaves. We will not tolerate being sent from one international court to another when right is on our side. “ The German Government signed the Locarno Pact, which determined that whoever was offended should appear before the League, which could determine the aggressor. France embodied in the pact two other treaties with Poland and Czechoslovakia. The pact stipulated that a district inhabited by 14,000,000 Germans should be deprived entirely of German sovereignty. We put up with it so long for the sake' of peace. Then the Franco-Soviet pact was passed and the Russo-Czechoslovak Treaty was formulated. The Franco-Soviet Treaty violated Locarno. If there should be war between France, Russia, and Czechoslovakia on one side and Germany on the other, who would dare impose sanctions against such a combination of forces? Russia is not a national State, but an imperialistic Bolshevik State. If France became embroiled, as she may, in Bolshevism, Moscow would decide who the aggressor was in a conflict on Germany’s western frontier. Europe must be rebuilt on a new foundation if it is to recover. We want peace with Franco. We do not interfere in the internal politics of other nations. They must respect ours.- Only God has the right to decide what is just. God’s voice is the people’s voice. You, my German compatriots, are, therefore, the only ones who have the right to judge my actions. Your verdict on me will be determined on March 20, the slogan being * For German freedom and German equality.’ Millions will then bind their wills with mine, allowing me to represent German rights, not to throw down the gauntlet to others.” Herr Hitler concluded after repeated ovations amid bursts of cheers and singing. Herr Hitler later hurried to Berlin and conferred with Baron von Neurath, the Foreign Minister, who is believed to have stressed that world opinion has unanimously condemned repudiation of Locarno. THE LOCARNO POWERS SECRECY SURROUNDS MEETINGS LONDON, March 13. • The chief delegates of the four Locarno Powers met alone for two hours. No statement was issued. The meeting was resumed in Mr Eden’s room at 5 p.m. The closest secrecy surrounds the Locarno discussions. It is understood that Mr Eden intimated to the German Ambassadro that Britain still leaves open the proposal that Germany should make a spontaneous gesture towards a settlement. There is no indication whether the talks are sufficiently far advanced to enable a meeting of the Council of the League to he hold to-morrow. For this extensive preparations were being made at St. James’s Palace all day. His Majesty has thrown open the Slate apartments to neeommodate 'the secretarial staffs of the delegations. It may be, the middle of next week before the Connell sits in public.

Mr S. M. Bruce lias not received an answer to liis invitation to Germany to be represented at tlic League Council. It now seems unlikely that Germany will accept, though Mr Bruce had intended to ask her representatives to ait at the Council table, despite non-member-ship. It is expected that, unless the conversations of the Locarno Powers progress rapidly to-night, to-morrow’s Council meeting will be brief and formal, and will be adjourned until March Mi. because it is not desired to consider any resolution condemning remilitarisation of the Rhineland unless the next steps are agreed upon.

A STATEMENT ISSUED UNITY BROUGHT CLOSER (British Official Wireless) RUGBY, March 13. > Before attending this morning’s meeting of the Locarno Powers Mr Eden had a brief discussion with some of his Ministerial colleagues. After the meeting the following communique was issued: “A small committee of Ministers representing the signatory Powers of the Treaty of Locarno, continued during the day its examination of the situation. As the discussion proceeded it was noted with satisfaction that a closer approximation of views became apparent.” Newspaper comment indicates bow deeply developments in the last week in the international situation have interested and aroused public opinion. A resolution passed by the executive of the League of Nations Union is representative of many separate and spontaneous manifestations of opinion. The resolution declares that the unilateral denunciation of the Locarno agreements by Germany, together with her violation, through military occupation of the demilitarised zone, of the provision of the peace treaty, which those freely-contracted agreements confirmed and guaranteed, is more flagrant because of the repeated assurances given by the head of the German State of his intention to respect them. It suggests that, since the alleged justification for this arbitrary proceeding is the claim that the recent FrancoRussian treaty is incompatible with Locarno, the Permanent Court of International Justice should immediately be asked by the Council of the League of Nations for a decision on this subject, and concludes; “ Pending the ruling of the court this country and other signatories of the Locarno agreements remain bound by the obligations which they contain. The Executive Committee assures his Majesty’s Government of full support for any policy designed, in the Foreign Secretary’s words, to rebuild the foundations of peace which have been cut away by Germany’s action, including an objective examination of any proposals that have been made or may be made for this purpose.” LACK OF UNANIMITY BASIS FOR NEGOTIATION SOUGHT LONDON, March 13. (Received March 14, at 5.5 p.m.) Official circles declined to the measure of the approximation of views of the Locarno delegates, while tlje fact that the four Powers arq again meeting after the League meeting shows that they are still far from unanimous in making a recommendation to the League. Consequently the first session of the Council is likely to be restricted to statements from M. Flandin (France) and M. Van Zeeland (Belgium). France is still out for a strong application of the Covenant, while Mr Eden and Viscount Halifax, with Mr Neville Chamberlain assisting during part of the meeting, endeavoured to find a basis foi further negotiation. The German Ambassador (Dr von Hoesch) called on Sir William Malkin, legal adviser to the Foreign Office, in regard to what is officially described as a minor point. The Earl of Stanhope received the High Commissioners at the Foreign Office to-night and explained the progress of the negotiations. It is understood that ho informed them that there is little prospect of progress pending Saturday’s conversations of the Locarno Powers. The Daily Mail points out that section 9 of the Locarno Treaty expressly exempts the dominions the majority of which have not accepted it. If the dominions do not co-operate the Empire may be dangerously weakened. It is, therefore, of overwhelming importance that France’s position should bo juridically unassailable. The Daily Telegraph’s Prague correspondent says i “ Czechoslovakia views the German pact offer sympathetically, but expresses the opinion that a bilateral pact between a small and a great Power does not offer an effective guarantee against aggression. Czechoslovakia prefers a multilateral pact such as an Eastern Locarno.” The Daily Mail’s Cologne correspondent states: “All the artillery here has been moved 10 miles further from the frontier.” WITHDRAWAL OF TROOPS BRITAIN’S ATTITUDE CHANGING LONDON, March 13. (Received March 14, at 5.5 p.m.) The Daily Telegraph’s diplomatic correspondent says: “The attitude of the French delegation stiffened following the arrival of M. Boncour, who attended yesterday’s meetings. France persists that it is impossible for her to participate in negotiations with Germany until international law has again been established, and demands that the Rhineland troops he withdrawn, pressing England energetically to this effect. The British Government, which at first was disposed to accept the occupation as an accomplished fact, has moved substantially from this attitude in the last 48 hours.” NERVOUSNESS IN GERMANY THE PUBLIC BEWILDERED LONDON, March 13. The Berlin correspondent of The Times says that Germany is following the London talks with increasing nervousness. Official quarters have realised that the position is grave, but press control has made it possible for this to he concealed

from the public until this afternoon, when it was admitted that England’s efforts were being directed primarily at the prevention of military action by France. These words must come as a shock to the public, which hitherto had complete faith that England would see Germany through the difficulty caused by the reoccupation. It docs not seem to have occurred to the public that England herself is placed in a difficult position. Ridiculous as it seems, the masses of the people believed Herr Hitler had not gone to the Rhineland without the prior sanction of England. It is natural, therefore, that the public should be bewildered. They would have earlier in the week laughed at the idea that sending a few troops into their own territory would create a risk of war. FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES SERIOUS POSITION TO BE FACED LONDON, March 13. The Manchester Guardian’s _ diplomatic correspondent says there is more uneasiness in Berlin than is allowed to leak out. Every symptom of discontent is hushed up. Berlin is covered with posters ordering “all responsible persons to spy out those seeking sabotage of German unity and report them to local Nazi headquarters.” There has been a run on the savings banks, in restrictions being imposed preventing anyone withdrawing more than 50 marks.

The Morning Post’s Berlin correspondent declares that if the full truth of Germany’s financial and economic situation was generally known it would lead to a panic throughout the country. It is understood that the new Budget will not only provide for further increases in taxation to finance the prodigious armament expenditure, but it is expected that Government servants will be obliged to contribute a portion of their salaries and capitalists to surrender 2 per cent, of their capital to the War Ministry. The cost of living has increased so sharply that these and similar measures are likely to he most unpopular; therefore, Herr Hitler lias sent the troops to the Rhineland to persuade taxpayers that they are getting something for their money. Financial authorities described the situation as rot immediately but potentially desperate. _ . , Dr Schacht (president of the Reichsbank) claims that there should be more control of the gigantic armament expenditure, but this is vigorously opposed by the general staff and Krupps. Dr Schacht is reported to have told HenHitler in the plainest language that he must consider a 4 per cent, capital levy, a 30 per cent, excess profit tax, and a 5 per cent, cut in wages to avert bankruptcy. It is no secret that Herr Hitler is incensed with Dr Schacht and decided upon the Rhineland action not only m the teeth of his advice, but also against the counsels of the German general staff and Foreign Office officials, who do not favour a return to the League. MODERATION COUNSELLED SUPPORT FOR DR SCHACHT LONDON, March 14, (Received March 15, at 7.30 p.m.) The Daily Telegraph’s Berlin correspondent states: “The Reichswehr leaders also counselled moderation in supporting Dr Schacht, whose position is subject to considerable speculation, and Nazi extremists are seeking to make the most of the opportunity to encompass his downfall. Financial circles, however, are strongly behind Dr Schacht and consider that his dismissal would mean the economic collapse of Germany. The Berlin Stock Exchange reflected the uneasiness.” VIEWS OF ITALY NO INDICATION GIVEN ROME, March 13. Signor Mussolini has had repeated conversations with- the French and British Ambassadors. No inkling of the Italian attitude has been allowed to leak out. EXPORT OF NICKEL CUSTOMS OFFICIALS’ SUSPICIONS HALIFAX, March 13. (Received March 14, at 5.5 p.m.) A consignment of 73 large cases of Canadian nickel to he placed aboard a United States freighter for shipment to Hamburg has been held up for investigation by Customs officials in the belief that it may he intended for the manufacture of German munitions. THE OLYMPIC GAMES FRENCH BOYCOTT PROPOSED PARIS, March 14, (Received March 15, at 7.30 p.m.) Le Soir suggests a boycott of the Olympic Games, from which Germany hopes to obtain £14,000,000 of foreign money. This would deal a heavy blow to Germany’s finances and prestige. The president of the French National Sports Committee slates that, unless circumstances change, France will certainly be. unable to participate in the games. He hopes, however, that the situation will change.