“CHILDISH.”

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXIV, Issue 934, 2 December 1933, Page 21 (Supplement)

“CHILDISH.”

Hitler Dismisses Reports of Secret Munitions. IMPORTANT INTERVIEW. By G. WARD PRICE (Special Correspondent of the London “ Dully .Mail”). BERLIN. October 19. AT this most critical juncture in German relations with the rest of Europe since the world war, I have received from the German Chancellor, Adolf Hitler, the most detailed and direct definition of Germany’s attitude in international politics that he has ever made. ** Nobody here desires a repetition of the war,” he said. “ Almost all of us leaders of the National Socialist movement were actual combatants. I have yet to meet a combatant who desires a renewal of the horrors of those four and a half years. We are teaching the German youth to fight, but to fight against internal evils and particularly against the Communist danger. “ Our youth constitutes our sole hope for the future. Do you imagine we are bringing it up only to be shot down on the battlefield? We have no reason to be ashamed for Germany’s military record. We want no ‘ grievance ’ wifch France, but a thorough-going understanding on a basis which a self-respect-ing nation can accept. And we demand the right to live.

“ Germany’s attitude toward France has always depended on France’s attitude toward Germany.”

The writer then referred to the fact that so many young Germans at present are undergoing military training, and asked whether this might not inspire in them a military spirit. “ With how much greater right,” exclaimed the Chancellor, “ might Germany complain that in other countries millions of recruits every year are being given the rrfost thorough-going military education! Every discipline to which these young Germans are subjected is not intended for aggressive purposes, but for the good of the German Commonwealth. It is a social institution which reconciles the different classes.

“ My followers did not fall out of the clouds at my voice. Many of them had been Socialists and Communists. They need discipline. Before our time. Communism dominated the streets of Germany. The entire nation lived under the threat of this bloody terror. Instead of that, we have established security, peace and order. This has been the achievement of my Storm Troops.”

“ What is your answer,” Ilerr Hitler was asked, “ to the charges which have been brought that Germany’s armaments are already greater than officially admitted? It is alleged, for instance, that the German Government has acquired munition works in Sweden, Holland and other countries, where stocks of military materials are held ready to be rushed into Germany in the event of war.”

“ Childish,” was the Chancellor’s contemptuous reply. “If these munitions existed, how is it they are not known, where the existence of every single gun in Germany is known? Every ex-sol-dier is aware how much space a munition dump, even of a single army corps, takes up, so it is incredible that these supposed German reserves in foreign countries should exist unnoticed. “At Koenigsburg we do possess a ridiculously limited number of heavy cannon, and, of course* gunners are trained to serve them; but the Army has not even field guns enough for its use. so we are not likely to train our soldiers to fire guns they haven't got.”

“Is Germany’s avowed intention some day to recover the Polish Corridor compatible with European peace?” he was asked.

“ No sane person considers the Corridor is one of the greatest achievements of the Peace Conference,” Chancellor Ilitler replied. “ Such an arrangement could only have the effect of creating enmity between Germany and Poland. But even the Peace Treaty gives us the right to ask for revision. No one in Germany thinks of going to war over the Corridor, but we all hope the two nations can get together to discuss it dispassionately.” *' In what direction do you see expansion as possible, and does the German Government aim at getting back Germanv’s former colonies? ”

” Germany contains,” the Chancellor replied, “ too many people for her size, and it is to the interest of the world that a great nation should not be deprived of the conditions for existence, but we shall never go to war to get colonies. We are convinced we are as capable as anv other nation in administering and developing colonial territories, but we regard this as a matter for negotiation.”

The writer asked the Chancellor whether the present regime in Germany was a prelude to the restoration of the monarchy. ” The present German Government is working neither for the monarchy nor for the republic,” he replied, ‘‘but solely to improve conditions for the German people.”

He was asked if there were any conditions under which Germany might return to the League of Nations. ‘‘ln my view,” he said, “ the League has no future if it continues to represent the interests of a certain group of States as opposed to the interests of other States. In any case, Germany will never again take part in any international convention in which her absolute equality is not recognised. We know well enough we lost the war, but we also know we fought well and defended ourselves courageously and valiantly as long as possible. ” It is intolerable for us as a nation of 65.000.000 that we should be continually and repeatedly' dishonoured and humiliated. We will put up with no more of this persistent discrimination against Germany. What I sign I will stand by. What I cannot stand by I will not sign.” “ Does Germany, then, regard herself as liberated from her existing international obligations on the ground that she has not been accorded equality of treatment? ” he was asked. “ Whatever we have signed.” the Chancellor said, “ we will fulfil to the best of our ability.” (Copyright by the “Star” and N.A.N.A.)