Herr von Ribbentrop's speech at Danzig followed along the usual lines with which the world has become all too familiar. While it may serve to mislead the German people, it will not do so to the world at large, for the actions of Herr Hitler's government speak for themselves so loudly that not all the eloquence of himself, and his followers can hope to drown them. The truth is to be found in the facts as they can be perceived by the world at large and not in their presentation by the speakers for the Reich. It is as well to remember a phrase from a speech by Herr Hitler on February 10, 1933, when considering such utterances as this latest one of Herr von Ribbentrop at Danzig. Then Der Fuehrer said "The first and best point of the Government's programme is that we won't lie and we won't swindle." Herr von Ribbentrop has clearly demonstrated that the permanence of standards of truth, and honesty in Nazi eyes is just as variable as the sanctity which they attach to treaties, and other obligations. As a prelude to the declaration that Germany would wage war in Europe until every attempt against German security is definitely abated,—the old, old trick of endeavouring to pose as the injured innocent, with the blood of Poland dripping from Nazi hands,—Herr von Ribbentrop sought to make the point that Britain was the arch enemy' of the Reich, alleged that the best possible relations prevailed between Germany, Soviet Russia and the United States, accused Mr. Neville Chamberlain of having broken his own word when some months ago, after having affixed his signature to the Munich agreement, he declared war on Germany. The Munich Pact was based upon the declaration of Herr Hitler that he had no further territorial ambitions in Europe. That he quickly proved to be a deliberate untruth, by the dismemberment of Czechoslovakia, and, later, the invasion of Poland. He was warned time and time again that forcible entry into Poland would mean that Germany would be at war with Great Britain, and France. Despite those warnings, and because Herr von Ribbentrop continually advised his leader that the Allies would not fight, Herr Hitler chose to invade Poland, and himself brought upon Europe the present conflict.
Herr von Ribbentrop's declaration, that Germany was on the best terms with the United States and Soviet Russia, reads strangely. President Roosevelt has probably somewhat different ideas concerning the relations of his Government with the Reich, and if Herr von Ribbentrop finds them satisfactory the most that can be said is that he is very easily pleased. On the subject of Russia the speaker waxed enthusiastic. "We have understood," he said, "that every condition exists for the development of a strong friendship between Germany and Russia. Both countries complete themselves economically, and exchanges of goods between them can only increase as time goes by. Both countries will respect the individual ideologies, The treaty of non-aggression, and friendship, which we signed with Moscow, has gained the approval of the German masses." The world has read what Herr Hitler has had to write about Russia in "Mein Kampf" and to recall extracts from some of his speeches on the same subject is to show how completely old principles have been thrown overboard.
"We see in Bolshevism a bestial doctrine which is a threat to us I cannot make a pact with a regime whose first act is not the liberation of workmen, but inmates of jails....We cannot negotiate with Jewish communist leaders There are two worlds. In Bolshevist Russia
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.