FUHRER A GENIUS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26015, 1 December 1945, Page 7

FUHRER A GENIUS

READY FOR WORLD WAR CONVERTING THE WEAK NUREMBERG, Nov. 29. Jodi wrote in his diary on September 29, 1938: “ Munich is signed. Czechoslovakia as a Power is out. The genius of the Fuhrer, his determination not to shun even a world war, has again won the victory without the use of force. Hope remains. Incredulous, weak, and doubtful people have been converted, and will remain so ” Mr Alderman stated that great pressure, involving a threat to use force, was put on Schuschnigg when he visited Hitler. The Berchtesgaden conference was followed by the reorganisation of the Austrian Cabinet, the putting of Seyss-Inquart in control of the police, and the granting of an amnesty to Nazis. Goering’s court acting reached new heights when he shook his head and rocked from side to side in negation as Mr Alderman claimed that the Nazis feared that the Schuschnigg-sponsored plebiscite in Austria in 1938 would result in the maintenance of Austria’s independence. The prosecution alleged that the announcement of the plebiscite resulted in the Nazis marching into Austria. Transcript of Conversation The prosecution introduced a transcript of a telephone conversation of March 13, 1938, between Goering and Ribbentrop, who was then in London a few days after the march into Austria, in which Goering, after claiming there was overwhelming joy in Austria, said: “I believe it is necessary that serious people from Britain and France should be asked to come here and watch what is actually going on. The biggest trick ever played was played here.” RiJbbentrop replied: “I believe this conviction will grow here. I already have spoken very openly with Lord Halifax and Mr Chamberlain. In my last conversation with Lord Halifax I had the impression that he did not react to my argument, but he said he favoured a German-English understanding.” A transcription was also produced of a telephone talk which Hitler in the meantime was having with Prince Philip von Hesse,- who was in Rome. Hesse said: “Mussolini sends his regards, and says Austria would be immaterial to him.” Hitler replied: “ Then please tell Mussolini that I shall never forget him, for this Austrian affair is settled. We shall be ready to go with him through thick and thin. If he should ever need any help or be in danger he can rest convinced that I will stick by him whatever might happen, even if the whole world is against us.”