FOREIGN WHIMS.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20603, 2 May 1935, Page 1

FOREIGN WHIMS.

Germany No Longer a Toy. HITLER’S DECLARATION PREDICTS CLOUDS AND STORMS AROUND FATHERLAND. United Press Assn. —By Electric Telegraph— Copyright. (Received May 2. 12.20 p.m.) BERLIN. May 1. Shouting hoarsely owing to his sore throat Herr Hitler forecast storms converging on Germany when he addressed 270,000 children assembled in front of the Imperial Palace, despite the slush and snow in which the May Day celebrations opened. Herr Hitler declared: “ As the wind now tears our flags so clouds and storms may surround Germany in the near future. German youth will not be afraid. Every German boy and girl must be convinced that it is a sacred duty to guarantee Germany’s security.” A million workers assembled at Templehof Aerodrome, where only a doctor’s certificate would excuse non-at-tendance. Herr Hitler began his address in a snowstorm. Surprisingly he refrained from any reference to loreign affairs. It is supposed that he is reserving this for the Reichstag on May 15. He merely said: “We do not want war. but Germany is no longer the toy of foreign whims.” He added: 44 You may offer me kingdoms. I would rather be a poor man among his people.”

REBUKE TO HITLER. Note Stopped But Comment Made Unofficial. (By PAUL MAI.LOX.) WASHINGTON'. March 25. Secretary Hull wrote a formal rebuke to Herr Hitler a few days back, but you never will see it. He composed it in the form of an official note, but decided not to send it. The note expressed regret at Hitler’s latest violation of the sanctity of treaties, especially the separate American Treaty of Peace, which included the military clauses of the Versailles Pact. The story being told on the inside is that President Roosevelt ordered it to be held up. He did not want to make any move which would embroil him in the latest European fuss. Mr Hull's associates fondled the idea of sending it later, after things calmed down. But when “ der furore ” tore up similar protests from the French and Italians, they decided to same him the trouble of tearing up this one. A better way of communicating Mr Hull’s exasperation to Herr Hitler was worked out slyly. The State Secretary decided to express himself off-the-record at one of his press conferences. These conferences are attended by all foreign press representatives who want to attend. No doubt Hitler now has a transcript of Hull’s remarks, although they cannot be repeated out loud.

All that can be said is that Mr Hull’s manner was extremely diplomatic, painfully so. The only thing he premitted the newsmen to publish about it was “ that this Government considered Hitler’s action as a threat to the entire peace structure of the world.” That, of course, is the mildest possible version.

The diplomats thought that this was rather neat. It avoided diplomatic embroilments. It prevented Hitler from snubbing Hull as he did the French and Italians. (N.A.N.A.)