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Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 201, 26 August 1936, Page 7

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CONSCRIPTION TERM HITLER’S DECISION TRUSTEE OF PEACE [By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) Received Aug. 25, 5.5 p.m. BERLIN, Aug. 24. Herr Hitler has extended the ■ period of compulsory military service to two years. The official Nazi commentary on the extension of the conscription system is: “While the great Olympic fes- 1 tival of peace was taking place and Germany was happy to give her 1 guests a view of peace and order in the present-day Reich, the world trembled in many places from the horrors of bloody civil war and fierce ' economic struggles. History has taught us it is better to make great sacrifices, if necessary, for peace than to sink into Bolshevik chaos. “Against Soviet Imperialism and its military threats Nazi Germany is the trustee of its own peace, and thereby the defender of its culture, and will take any measure necessary to guarantee the freedom and independence of the nation in all circumstances.” NO SURPRISE BRITISH VIEWPOINT I f RETALIATORY MEASURE j LONDON, Aug. 24. The German conscription decision causes no surprise as the current antiSoviet campaign in the German Press is regarded as a prelude to some such action. The extension appears to be in retaliation to the Soviet’s extension to two new classes of conscripts, thus making several hundred thousands additional young men available for the Red Army. The change means that each German reaching the age of 19 will start i with a minimum of two and a-half < years’ service, counting the six i months he must serve in the labour ; corps before entering the army. , Longer terms of service already exist i in several branches of the forces, in- : eluding certain branches of the air force and certain highly-mechanised 1 services. It is estimated that by the end of 1 the year Germany’s peace-time army h will thus number 1,000,000. GRAVE ACTION 1 COMMENT IN BRITAIN Received Aug. 25, 9.55 p.m. LONDON, Aug. 25. The Daily Telegraph’s military correspondent says that Herr Hitler’s military service action is a grave one because it is bound to make the German army the most formidable in Europe, apart from Russia’s, and much readier than previously to strike a rapid blow. The Berlin correspondent of the Times says that Hitler’s sudden action probably is mainly due to the fact that Berlin regards the international situjation in prospect far from satisfactory. The Austrian agreement, it is pointed ■ out, has been disappointing, while the I Czechs, who have an alliance with Russia, have declined Germany’s offer of a bilateral non-aggression pact. Germany's present friendly relations with Italy are considered useful but it is not believed that they can be permanently relied on in view of the Nazi aims regarding the future of the German peoples in Europe. Germany also fears a closer Franco-Russian relationship. Germany takes the view that the western Powers have been I blind to the dangers of Bolshevism | and therefore Germany must look after herself.