HITLER’S AIM IN EUROPE

Southland Times, Issue 23001, 22 September 1936, Page 7

HITLER’S AIM IN EUROPE

“Defence—Not

Attack”

LLOYD GEORGE’S IMPRESSION

Army Not Yet Ready

(United Press Assn—Telegraph Copyright.) (Rec. 7.30 p.m.) London, September 20. "Germany does not desire to attack any country in Europe; Herr Hitler is arming for defence, not for attack,” said Mr David Lloyd George during a five-column interview with the News Chronicle containing impressions of his visit to Germany.

“My conviction is that for at least 10 years war between Russia and Germany is impracticable,” added Mr Lloyd George. “Even if Germany desired war —which she doesn’t —the German Army could not be ready in less than that time. It is at present formidable for defence owing to the splendid spirit of the men, its first-class equipment and the powerful eastern and western fortifications, but it could not march across its frontiers with a hope of success, as it does not posssess the weapons, trained officers and trained men for such an enterprise. Herr Hitler admitted to someone I met that his army would not be an attacking force from 15 to 20 years. Hatred Of Bolshevism. “Herr Hitler has a fanatical hatred of Bolshevism, but scoffs at the suggestion that he intends to march on Moscow

ar that he covets the Ukraine. Although Herr Hitler naturally wants Memel and Danzig, which are', as German as Hull is English, he does not desire to absorb millions of Slavs whom he despises, and he would regard it as an offence against German racial purity. I think that there is genuine apprehension of a Russian attack. On the other hand, a very able German soldier told me that Russia’s hopelessly defective transport organization makes an invasion of Germany of any magnitude an impossibility for 10 years. “It is a great misfortune that the European democracies are not producing great leaders. The dictators are acting while the democratic leaders are fumbling. I am convinced that a strong executive in Britain could accomplish much more than Herr Hitler in Germany, because of our greater financial resources, and Parliament would respond to a strong executive. “Herr Hitler profoundly admires the British, and Germans of all classes share his admiration and desire British friendship. Germans repeatedly said to me: ‘We had only one quarrel with England, and we must never have another.’ ” Army Manoeuvres On A Grand Scale SCENES REMINISCENT OF KAISER’S DAY

(Rec. 12.50 a.m.) Berlin, September 21. Army manoeuvres on a scale the most stupendous for 20 years opened in central southern Germany in the presence of the Minister of Defence (FieldMarshal Werner von Blomberg) and the Commander-in-Chief of the Air Force (General Hermann Goering). The air force, tanks'and mechanized artillery are co-operating in a display reminiscent of the grandeur of Kaiser Wilhelm’s days. Herr Hitler is expected, later in the manoeuvres, to make the first test of the Youth Army which was called up last year.