DIVERSE VIEWS

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

DIVERSE VIEWS

SPEECH REACTIONS OPINIONS IN BRITAIN THE QUESTION OF PEACE (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, Jan. 3i Official quarters in London regard Herr Hitler’s speech ae making the International situation neither better nor worse. If anything, It was slightly reassuring. It is understood Mr Chamberlain gave Herr Hitler an advance idea of what he expects to say in the House of Commons to-day, which, it is believed, influenced the Fuehrer toward moderation. Commenting in a leading article upon Herr Hitler's speech the Times admits the Fuehrer has not broken new ground and cites his audacity in reproaching the nations for their reception of the expulsion of the Jews. It adds that the suggestion that another war would entail their destruction throughout Europe was a sinister nourish. If Herr Hitler really believed in a long peace, the Times continued, much might be possible. An approach was barred to a colonial settlement unless it was a sure contribution to peace. Colonies must not be materialistically held without the idea of European trusteeship. There were ample means of increasing the natives’ living standards, in which Britain would willingly share. The Daily Mail selects Herr Hitler’s prediction of a long peace as the most important sentence in his speech. The Daily Telegraph accepts the speech as a promise of better things to come and says: "If the axis Powers do not want war, certainly nobody else does.” A message from New York says that Wall Street construed the speech as not unfavourable to the stock market, and stocks made excellent gains. OPINION IN AMERICA THE COLONIAL ISSUE WHY SHOULD IT BE PRESSED? (United Pres* Assn. —Elec. TeL Copyright) NEW YORK, Jan. 31 Reaction to Herr Hitler's speech varied widely in Washington. Some Congressional leaders thought It would stimulate President Roosevelt's defence programme, contending that Herr Hitler, instead of renouncing Germany's aspirations in South America, had served notice that the Nazis were prepared to go to any length to overcome the obstacles which the United States might place in their path. The chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Mr Key Pittman, said: "If Herr Hitler’s acts are as tolerant as his speech there will be no fear of any Immediate war. I mean tolerant toward the ideologies of other Governments. I do mean the attitude of his Government toward IBs own people—that is a matter for Germans to consider.” Tlie New York Times, in a leading article, said: "The burden of the speech was Germany’s need of colonies. So meagre are the resources of the former German colonies and so near did Ilerr Hitler come to .admitting the fact, that many doubted if he believes their recovery would solve any pressing economic problems. Why, then, press so strongly the colony issue? There is Ilerr Hitler's debt to Signor Mussolini, who has an immediate interest. There is the difficult economic situation at home, and the need of an alibi for the failure after six years of National Socialism to raise living standards. There is the strategy of troubling the waters of European diplomacy in order to fish them better.” EOONOMIC STRUGGLE CONGESTED AREAS FEDERAL PREMIER'S VIEW (United Press Assn.—Elec. TeL Copyright) BERLIN, Jan. 29 During a reference to Germany's economic struggle, Herr Hitler said: "There are States where not 135 people are living to the square kilometre, as in Germany, but only between five and 11. Large stretches of fertile land are Lying unploughed. Those States are possessed of all imaginable raw materials, coal, iron ores and so on, yet they are unable to solve their own problems or reduce their unemployed." The Fuehrer estimated that 3,000,000 square kilometres of colonies had been stolen from Germany, and the refusal of her political demands had already cost England 20,000,000 gold marks—and the cost would soon be higher. . CANBERRA, Jan. 31 The Prime Minister, Mr J. A. Lyons, commenting on Herr Hitler’s speech, said that while he welcomed many portions of it some of Herr Hitler’s statements on colonies would be challenged. They were certain to arouse resentment. "We believe changes are necessary to remedy the injustices of the peace treaties," said Mr Lyons, “but, unfortunately, Germany has given many Indications of her intention to rely on force rather than on peaceful methods of readjustment. We must, however, keep cool heads and not be swayed by passion or prejudice.” JUBILATION IN ROME A STRONG ALLIANCE FEELING IN FRANCE (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON. Jan. 31 Italian circles are jubilant, say* a message from Rome, declaring Herr Hitler's speech should finally dissipate the illusions existing in other countries ' about the military solidarity ol the

Berlin-Rome axis. Some even \**ert that the issue is now clear cut— that France must meet Italy's claims and Germany must be given colonial satisfaction. otherwise Europe faces the possibility of another war. Early views in Paris of Herr Hitler's speech agrek that it was moderately toned, but has not appreciably changed the international situation. Left circles even regard it as holding out grave possibilities, pointing out this was the first speech in which Herr Hitter has definitely affirmed the lUlo-Germau ; alliance.