To the Editor of the "Nowri-Cinwa Dany News Sm—The Internationallzatton of German rivers imposed by the Treaty of Versailles becomes a thing of the past when Herr Hiller, the Reichs fuehrer, declared Germany. free of every chuckle imposed by that Treaty, the last of which was restriction of navigation on Germany's main rivers, The text of the German note notifying the Powers concerned of the Reich's "action shows that Germany, while renouncing the agreement, declares all Germen rivers open to the shipping of all states living In peace with Germany. There will not' be discriminatory treatment of foreign vessels or xegarding river (olls, the Note says, provided the. states' concerned grant the sarte rights to German shipping on their rivers. The action of Germany declaring herself free and independent of internal restrictions on ther territorial sovereignty Is consistent with International Jaw, virile nation like Germany cannot be forever shackled, "the Versailles Treaty notwithstanding. Justice appears to be on the side of Germany, bbecatise twice the Powers had an op: portunity to grant Germany equallly by on One opportunity Was missed in December, 1982, the other in April, 1934, The Anglo-French note of February 3, showed that Sir John Simon and Pierre Laval completely misread the situ tion, They were still living ina fool's paradise, still believing. that Germany might continue to take the Position of w suppliant in the matter of armaments. Now they were aware that Germany had achieved her equality in arms, and aware also that she intended to use it, when opportunity offered, to correct the Justices from which she felt she was stiN suffering.
1 Is clear where Germany stands now; It remains to be made clear where the other powers will stand. They have several possible ronds, They can continue, as they had for years, to drift, to delay and to take Gecisions just foo late to be effective. 'They could take measures, as France and Russia obviously desired, to surround Germany with a ring of steel, but alignment of nations is constantly: changing, Germany would only have fo walt,' and internal dissension: would destroy any combination. It ig folly to suppose "that a motion of 15,000,000 could be kept Indefinltely ina position of inequality, Germany "at has done the world one great service by seizing. equality, for the ale mosphere is now clear. "Herr Hit has brought other nations to face the situation without disguise, Ger many's Just _gelovances must be immediately redressed. Tt was only last year that Herr Hitler had told Sir John Simon that Germany would back to Geneva if she received complete and unequivocal equality. with other. powers. There ts no doubt it Germany and Italy could effect a
be masters of Europe, But this does permanent understanding they would not mean a war is absolutely necessary to accomplish such 9 feat.
Tt seems to me that It would amply pay the former allies to make some immediate sacrifices to Germany and they might well consider when ther it would not be the cheapest in the end. The former allies had blundered in, the past by offering Germany too little, and offering even that too late. It Is therefore strong ly urged that the former allies might well inquire whether the return of part of" the former German colonies would not assist in the economic restoration of the Reich and hence of the world, and at the same time make pence. It is suggested that Germany be given back all her former African colonies unconditionally and with promptness within the next twelve months, It can be confidently predicted that once Germany Is given back her former African colones, she will become a satisfied nation like Italy and will wholehearted-ce-operate with the other nations: to Inbour for peace. I think the sacrifices are worth it and should be carried out without hesitation and delay. A new, era of peace and prosperity in Europe will surely follow when Germany becomes once more a great colonial power with a place In the sun.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.