SABRE RATTLING

Waikato Times, Volume 113, Issue 18946, 16 May 1933, Page 5

SABRE RATTLING

PAPEN’S FIERY SPEECH

PACIFISTS DENOUNCED.

PRUSSIAN IDEAL GLORIFIED.

United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright

LONDON, May 15

An astonishing outburst of sabre rattling by the German Vice-Chancel-lor, I-lerr von Papen, coupled with an ill-mannered intervention in Austrian politics by Herr Franck, has made the ugly situation in Europe even more full of danger. The keynote of Herr von Papen’s oration was a denunciation of the ideal of pacificism and a glorification of the old Prussian ideal of death In battle. " Instead of lashing out our energies to battle for life the pacifists have tried to spread carpets under everyone’s feet,” he said. “ Life is to be a smooth street, whereas God ordained,that it shall be a steep path. “ Pacifism does not understand the old German horror of meeting one’s death in bed. To the pacifist death from a hardening of the arteries seems to appeal more than death on the battlefield. Mothers should wear themselves out to give life to children. Fathers should fight on the battlefield to secure the future for their sons. “ The soldier is the man who remains bellicose in soul and body at the end of his life. Herr Hitler may truly declare: ‘I have restored to the German nation the example of the German soldier.’ ”

An Eoho In Vienna.

Herr Franck’s speeoh in Vienna lashed 14,000 Austrian Nazis into frenzied excitement. It consisted of a scarcely veiled insult to the Austrian Government. Thus he said: “Herr Hitler rumself shortly will come to Austria, whether the Government likes it or not. I defy it to prevent Herr Hitler visiting his mother’s grave in Upper Austria." Herr Franck followed his attack by an address to journalists in the German Legation., He threatened reprisals by the German Government against Austria for the reception it had given him. In a special edition the Heimwehr demands the immediate expulsion oi Herr Franck. The! News Chronicle in a leading article compares Herr von Papen’s speech to the utterance of the chief of a savage tribe to bis fellow barbarians. It suggests That there are thousands of Germans to whom this bloody-minded nonsense will be as repulsive as to intelligent people. It asks whether the speech reflects Herr Hitler’s mind and policy.

OMINOUS REPORTB.

WARLIKE ACTIVITIES

GERMANY MAKING HOWITZERS

FRENCH FORTRESSES PREPARED

United Press Assn. —Elec. Tel. Copyright.

LONDON, May 14

The Paris correspondent of the Daily Mail says that the traditional procession celebrated Joan of Arcs Day. The patriots who took part were impressed by a statement made by the Prime Minister, M. Daladier, that the girdle of France’s eastern fortresses and fortified lines of almost impassable design were nearly complete. M. Daladier said that war factories were busily producing armaments and equipment for these fortresses in preference to offensive armaments, so as to ensure the adequacy of the national defences in any eventuality. The Dally Herald’s diplomatic correspondent says the French General Staff is perturbed by the information that Germany for the past*few months has been manufacturing six-inch howitzers at the Rhine metal works, Dusseldorf, although the type Is prohibited by the Treaty of Versailles. The Dusseldorf works are manned by picked Nazis and no others are allowed near the machine shops.

The land frontiers of France extend over 1665 miles, of which 124(3 miles are along the Belgian, German, Swiss, and Italian frontiers and 410 along the Spanish frontier. “ A huge belt of concrete is France’s safeguard against invasion," declared M. Paul Bernier, Under-Sec-retary for Air, on October 7, 1932, after inspecting the new French frontier defence system to be completed by 1934. “ The fortifications are especially strong along the south-eastern frontier," said M. Bernier. “From Briancon to Nice our chain of fortresses and ‘pill boxes' will withstand any attack, even from the air." >

LATER.

VON PAPEN’S SPEECH. FRENCH PAPERS’ COMMENT. “WE TOLD YOU SOI" United Press A«sn.— Flee Tel rtorwrlg-tn (Received May 1(3, 10.15 a.m.) PARIS, May 15. “ We told you sp," epitomises press comment on Ilcrr von Papen’s speech, coupled with despair of anything emerging from Geneva. Some papers express the opinion that the pcaco of Hie world is still redeemable by Franco-British rapprochement and affirm lhat the two countries are nearer now than at any time since the Versailles Treaty was signed.

SHADOW OF WAR. DANZIG THEM RUING. FEAR OF THE NAZIS. LONDON, May 15, The Daily Telegraph slates that Danzig lies under the shadow of war as the result of the seizure, by Nazis of Hie trades unions.

The people in Danzig are hiding in their houses, leaving the streets deserted.

Armed police fill the city and there are machine-guns at every corner.