May 2.
The more Herr Hitler's speech before the Reichstag on Friday is studied, the more interesting it proves to be, not only because of his denunciation of understandings with Great Britain and Poland, but also because of the invitation he has extended to other nations to enter into non-aggression pacts with Germany. That is an adroit move. Countries which fail to do so will obviously bbe held to have aggressive intentions against the Reich, even though it is apparent that Herr Hitler only contemplates entering into such arrangements on terms satisfactory to himself, Thus it is to be expected that hi offer to enter into a non-aggression pact with Great Britain might be conditional upon the latter agreeing to restore the former German colonies, and should Britain refuse to consider this matter, he would then be able to claim that sucha pact was impossible, and that Great Britain was assuming the role of the aggressor. In many of his speeches Der Fuehrer has very obviously sought to do his utmost to pass the onus of responsibility for any war which might break out upon the shoulders of the demoferacies, pleading at all times his pacific inier sly pen fa Her ter ewe Guts ERNE fers tentions, grabbing territory by force, and fre, and ed to be the necessities of the moment. satisfy his demands places upon them the The denunciation of the Germano-Polish responsibility for present tension, and all non-Aggression Pact has likewise to be set that may develop from it, His attitude may in its proper perspective. There is no reu-seem convincing to his own people, who son, it is believed, to expect any immediate have very ttle opportunity for "ascer-military attack on Poland, for this would taining the real facts of the ease, but in the face Germany with the necessity of fighting eyes of the world, better informed of all that war on two fronts. "More likely is it that happening, this device is just about as more subtle means will be employed for the transparent as it possibly can be, Not only purpose of wearing down Polish resistance. that, this invitation must be examined in the thought that as a result of their previous light of all that has happened before, What successes, Germany's rulers probably caleuassurance is there that if the invitation were late that' the new anti-aggression bloc may accepted, and that Herr Hitler sought to be broken up in time by a campaign of establish' no conditions, any pacts so arrived threats, and intimidation. The maintenance at would be of any greater worth than those of a military menace just across the border, other undertakings whose merit has been sustained over many months will, it is apsuch as to melt away in the light of what parently believed, be something that Polish Herr Hitler conceives to be his immediate nerves will not be able to withstand, white necessities What greater permanence would it appears also to be thought that the ex= they have than any of the other" arrange pense of Poland's military precautions will ments which have proved worthless by 1a-have a disastrous effect upon the Nation's son of what Herr' Hitler considers to finances. As the "Dally Telegraph" corres chaning conditions pondent, in the despatch already quoted The possibility that President Roosevelt says may undertake a new diplomatic move, in "The next few months will, therefore, It is which the United States and 21 Latin Ameri-expected, be a period of great strain. Week can Republics would issue an appeal to the after week, and month after month: German European nations to accept Herr' Hitler's in-propaganda may be expected to wage @ cams vitation to enter into non-aggression pacts, paign of attrition against the nerves of Poland, an interesting one, Should he do so, he and the States associated with her, while the would in fact be asking the democracies to German minority has instructions to cause as take Herr Hitler at his word. If, however.
much trouble as possible inside Poland."
Germany's participation in such ah arrange-It is the old, familiar technique. Disorders ment is to be conditional, then it is quite stirred up by agents provocateurs are made clear that any such move must fail, Great to assume imposing proportions for the pur-Britain would not be false to her' present pose of justifying German intervention policy if she were to enter into a purely: the affairs of other nations which she desires Unilateral arrangement by announcing. that to bring within her hegemony. But these she has no aggressive intentions against Ger-things were realized as far back as April 4, many, and would support no other country and when this is remembered, the denunciain any onslaught upon Germany which was tion of the Germano-Polish non-Aggression not in the nature of self-defence, and brought Pact falls into its proper place as part of the about upon German initiative. That is me campaign designed to force Poland to sur-deed her policy. There will be no hostilities render peaceably what would now mean in Europe unless Germany starts them. That general European war if sought through is all. that the so-called policy of German military intervention. encirclement amounts to. Not one of the What is of importance then in Herr Hitler's parties to the anti-aggression arrangement denunciation of these two understandings is when it is completed contemplates any that it removes once and for all any illusions military move against Germany unless the as to the degree of stability which these latter by her own actions invite it. Tt would documents might otherwise have induced. not even be illogical for Britain, or any of Since Munich they have never been very her friends, to enter into unilateral arrange strong, and their complete removal is probments guaranteeing even Germany against ably as honest a piece of diplomatic work wanton attack by any other Power, for to as any that Herr Hitler has ever done, He do so would merely mean the extension of has placed Britain, with regard to the Naval the doctrine of collective security to Germany Pact, under due warning, and Britain, France without demanding reciprocation from her. Russia and Poland have been served with Collective security, embracing the idea that liar notice regarding the validity of -the any aggressor against one country would have to face the resistance of the whole of Germano-Polish non-Aggression Pact. These nations have now been warmed that Ger-the rest, is still within the bounds of pos-many's international commitments are good sibility. Tt can, indeed be extended to Ger-only so long as the other parties acquiesce many' without reciprocity on her part, and rineed not mean that the nations consenting in whatever Germany desires, and that Ger-to take such a step would be obliged as a man goodwill only exists so long as the other preliminary consideration to grant those nations supinely submit to the demands of wceucy. ok ths view expremnd ta] May the Dictator. All this has been apparent for a considerable time, but Der Fuehrer has columns" on uturday" st wit r-now made it so clear that he would indeed tard (othe tu' specelave" poms be foolish who now persisted in thinking ile is ing seats races otherwise. Such being the case the parture Sine ctr Sol of ave bon ore tion of the mountain has brought forth a Srphacailycedored than thas very small mouse. The European situation the tale pronouncement of eH has been clarified without being made worse. Biys of anita speculation have been, shown The application of psychological pressure tow to be wal fr er Poco upon Poland is something which will need to hing now, and ton ern be watched with the closest attention. There 1 which was not to be expected. if there may come 2 time when that in itself might German demands which Herr Hitler has 80 often enunciated.
Taking all the circumstances into consideration it would indeed be the best method of meeting Herr Hitler's move for the parties to the anti-aggression step to make a declaration that none of them will al lack Germany, unless that country" strikes first. It would' amount to accepting an obligation which would have about it none the uncertainty which bilateral agree ments might very well have, calling for no riy striking feature about the speech at ull, in is to be found in the frankness with which he spoke, and the fact that denouncing the Anglo-German Naval Pact and the Gerinano-Polish Non-Agyression Pact has relieved himself of the responsibility amount to aggression, and it is only reasonable to expect that in addition to military assistance forthcoming in the event of actual forcible intervention in Polish affairs, it may become necessary for the parties to the antiaggression Pact to take such other steps as particular undertaking from' Germany, and indeed expecting none. In the prevailing conditions it would be an arrangement having about it all the necessary. stability which might be missing in any bilateral arrange (Continued on pave 18)
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.