HITLER AND ITALY

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20719, 1 February 1939, Page 7

HITLER AND ITALY

PLEDGE INTERPRETED THREE VERSIONS ENGLISH, FRENCH, GERMAN (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel Copyright) (Received Feb. 1. 1.45 p.m.) LONDON, Jan. 31 “I believe there will be a long peace,” is the phrase in Herr Hitler's speech which has produced the chief International reaction. Although interpreted in various ways and accepted in some quarters with reservations, it is notable that several German newspapers emphasise the point. "The Berlin correspondent of the British United Press draws attention to the discrepancy in the Propaganda Ministry's semi-official German and English versions of Herr Hitler’s pledge to Italy. The English version states:— "It will only serve the cause of peace if it is clearly understood that a war of rival ideologies against Italy, regardless of its motives, would call Germany to the side of her friends.” The German version states:— “War against Italy, be it waged for whatever motives and on whatever pretext, would call Germany to the side of her friend.” Propaganda Ministry’s Explanation The Propaganda Ministry says the discrepancy was due to the hurried translation, but diplomatic circles speculate as to whether the word "Ideologies” was purposely inserted to warn Britain that if she sides with France against Italy Germany would hasten to Italy’s aid, but that Germany would have an excuse for nonintervention if France and Italy alone were involved. Official circles in Berlin believe that Herr Hitler accidentally omitted the phrase "war of rival ideologies,” but afterwards inserted it in the official translations. The Paris correspondent of the British United Press says a third version of Herr Hitler’s pledge to Italy has been issued in French by the official German agency, as a result of which observers consider that Herr Hitler is not pledged to support Signor Mussolini in the event of an Italian-French war due to an Italian attempt to seize French colonies forcefully. The French version reads: “It is the certainty that any frivolously-declared war against Italy, regardless of motives, would find Germany beside her, that can only be useful to peace.”