FRANTIC FURY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23940, 16 October 1939, Page 7

FRANTIC FURY

NAZI REACTION TO SPEECH PAINFUL DISILLUSIONMENT ALLIES’ DEFINITE STAND PROOF OF SINCERITY DESIRED (British Official Wireless) (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegrahp—Copyright) RUGBY, Oct. 14. (Received Oct. 15, at 8 p.m.) The morning newspapers deal with the German reactions to Mr Chamberlain’s speech. The News Chronicle, commenting on the Nazi official statement that the speech is an “ insult to Germany ” and that Britain’s object is “to destroy the German people,” asks why, if this be so, free publication of the speech was held up in Germany, and whether it is customary to suppress an enemy’s insults. “It would be difficult,” says the Chronicle, “to invent a more fantastic perversion. Take one sentence in the Premier’s speech: ‘I am certain that all peoples in Europe including the people of Germany, long for peace—a peace which will enable them to live their lives without fear and devote their energies and gifts to the development of their culture, the pursuit of their ideals and the improvement of their material prosperity.’ Does that sound like a threat to destroy the German people? Is that insulting? ” The Daily Telegraph says: ‘‘Judging by the reactions which he excited, Mr Chamberlain has every reason to be satisfied with the reply he made to Herr Hitler’s so-called peace proposals. The speech has been applauded in France and in the Dominions, and almost unreservedly approved by neutrals, including,the United States. Not even the Rome radio is hostile. Noting that Mr Chamberlain, while maintaining his point of view, did not definitely reject the possibility ot peace, the Italian commentator declares; “ Italy’s position as a neutral remains unchanged.” Violently contrasted with this manifestation of neutral countries is the outbreak of frantic fury by Germany—a fury embittered, it seems, by painful disillusionment. Evidently Germany had persuaded itself that France and Britain would collapse at the blast of Hitler s trumpets like the walls of Jericho falling before the trumpets of Joshua. It was complacently supposed that, Poland having been crushed and dismembered, nothing remained but to celebrate one more characteristic Hitler triumph, and assimilate the spoil at her leisure before staging another smash and grab assault upon her neighbours freedom.” The Telegraph adds; “If Hitler were sincere in his desire for a stable peace, he could find in Mr Chamberlain’s reply ample opportunity for putting forward proposals worthy of consideration. If he is not sincere, then it would be in the last degree impudent to be drawn into a net of mere makebelieve negotiations.” The Daily Herald says: ‘ Fortunately in the rest of the world where the writ of Hitlerism does not run, the purpose of British policy is understood and appreciated.' Some day it may be understood by the people of Germany also, and then it will be possible to negotiate, with the free men and women of a new Reich, a decent lasting peace.” Foreign Press Comment The Portuguese newspaper Voe expresses the view that Hitler’s peace offer was on a basis that Britain and France could not accept with honour. A Sofia newspaper emphasises the British and French determination to oppose force, and pays a tribute to the peace efforts of Mr Chamberlain. The Swiss press is nearly unanimous in the interpretation .of the result of the declarations of Hitler, M. Daladier and Mr Chamberlain in the sense that “ peace ” now depends on Germany. Reviewing the position as left by the firm British statement, the Swedish newspaper Tidningen says: “ The only thing certain is that Germany is rushing to destruction. A sence of impeding doom in this, as in other causes, is likely to drive her to counsels of despair.” The Danish Social Demokratin regards Mr Chamberlain’s speech as a clear rejection of Hitler’s proposals without being violent. It does not preclude all negotiations, in this newspaper’s view, but it defines specific conditions on which peace would be possible. According to Bucharest press reports, the newspaper Universal writes that Mr Chamberlain’s speech makes clear his three conditions for peace—first, the restoration of Poland and Czechoslovakia; secondly, real guarantees against further aggression; and thirdly, the restoration of confidence which the present German Government is incapable of doing. A further condition is that Germany shall renounce further successes in Eastern Europe. This newspaper takes the view that the Rumanian Government is of the opinion, that the German peace offensive is misplaced, and that it is plain that the Western Powers draw a clear distinction between the German Government and the German people. According to the Swedish newspaper Tidningen, the Scandinavian countries are fully aware of the consequences of adopting the reported German advice to them to abandon their trade with western countries. Tidningen says: “ Germany states that she can take all Scandinavian exports. That Germany cannot pay for them, one regards, of course, quite calmly in Germany.” BRITISH AIR MISSION ARRIVAL IN CANADA QUEBEC, Oct. 14. (Received Oct. 15, at 11 p.m.) A British mission of eight, headed by Lord Riverdale, arrived en route to Ottawa to discuss methods of coordinating Empire air strength.