THE SOFT VOICE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24326, 17 June 1940, Page 8

THE SOFT VOICE

HITLER AND AMERICA REPLY BY PRESIDENT BROKEN PLEDGES RECALLED (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) LONDON, June 15. (Received June 16, at 9 p.m.) A New York message states that Herr Hitler, interviewed by a journalist, Von Weigand, said that Germany was not interested in the Americas, but the Monroe poctrine should prevent the Americas interfering in Europe. “I know the United States’ delivery of planes and materials,” he said, twill not affect the outcome , of the [war. The Allies will lose because of bad military organisation and worse;leadership. ; Destruction of Britain . “ I never intended to destroy the British Empire; on - the contrary, I offered armed assistance to safeguard it. I asked only for Britain to protect the German coast in the event of war and also for colonies—which I will get—and my offer was scorned while it was openly declared and printed in London that Germany must be broken up and disarmed. One thing will be destroyed—namely, the capitalistic clique whcih was prepared to sacrifice a million lives for its petty interests/' It will be destroyed,, not by me, but by their people.” r. In an interview in Washington, President Roosevelt cited the record of Germany’s broken pledges to 'other nations as discounting reports quoting Herr Hitler as saying he had no csoira--tions in the western hemisphere Such reports were contained in the interview by Von Weigand. with Herr Hitler, -'-L .■■■; [ President Roosevelt permitted a direct quotation of his reply to a question concerning Herr, Hitler’s statement. “That brings Up •recollections”. he said. “That should be sufficient comment.” And, he added,, if could be expanded upon Indefinitely with references to specific dates and na-; tions. What Conquest Would Mean In a broadcast comment on the Von Weigand interview, the .Under-secre-tary to the Ministry of Information (Mr Harold Nicholson) analysed the meaning of “ capitalistic clique,” which Herr Hitler announced he was determined to destroy/ This included, Mr Nicholson said, not only Mr Churchill, Mr Herbert Morrison, and Mr , Ernest Bevin, but those persons: who had obtained a stake in the .country and, those, whether trade union leaders' or others, who had gained the confidence and respect of their .fellow-citizens., .This Was; what had been done in Poland. Both there and in Czechoslovakia-, the Nazi conquest had resulted in long hours'at starvation-wages, the abolition of trade unions, and the right"'either to- strike or protest. *’ y ; - Mr Nicholsbn ■■also’dealt with Herr Hitler’s intention “ to .restore the freedom of the seas,” and pointed out that for 150 years the British Fleet had maintained the seas free from Napoleon, Bismarck, and the Kaiser, and the British Navy would keep the seas free from Herr Hitler’s domination. 4 The Fulirer, iVIr Nicholson’ said','’A was a Utile disconcerted When asked ,by Von Weigand-what : were - his peace let-ms. He could only say hls 'Lpeace aim was peace”’- .v. Mr Nicholson proceeded: ‘‘The peace, I suppose, for Czechoslovakia, Austria, Poland, Denmark, Norway, Holand, for Belgium and for France and Britain the>peace; of death.” t-r) V ; .'. Speaking of Herr Hitler’s statement that he did not desire to destroy the British Empire, Mr Nicholson reminded his listeners of the fate of Czechoslovakia. “When Herr Hitler decided to murder Czechoslovakia,” he said, “he did not announce to the world that murder was his intention. He assured us he had no further territorial ambitions in Europe. He asserted that all he desired was a slight rectification of frontiers, and yet when he had made the rectification and thereby rendered Czechoslovakia powerless to resist him, he swooped upon their capital and took them into slavery.” Similarly, if Herr Hitler were able to rob Britain of her naval defences .she would be powerless before hirri'L • A Shameful Price “We should -have paid a. shameful price for peace, and peace would be denied us,” Mr Nicholson said. “We shall not pay a shameful price for peace. The honour and safety qf ; the world lies in our hands.” AV ■J'