Feb. 1.
If they were not connected with the grim tragedy of war which Herr Hitler has. in-Mieted upon Europe his oratorical antics would be productive of much amusement. As it is they can only inspire the disgust of the peoples of the-Allied, and neutral nations, who have the opportunity, which the Germans do not, of hearing ' both sides and making their own judgments. This last in no material way different from its predecessors, and the small importance attached to it by the press of the United States is probably the best comment tary on it. There are, however, two aspects of the speech which must interest the Allies. The first is the fact that in the virulence of his criticism of the Allies he dealt with them both instead of singling out Great Britain for his usual abuse. In that is to be seen recognition of the folly of endeavouring (o divide the Allies, and of the real necessity of regarding them us one united opponent to his grandiose schemes. The second is his reiteration of the claim that German and Italian interests remain identi-al, even though the Reich is closely associated with Russia, and Italy is violently anti-Soviet. The preservation of a common identity of purpose in such circumstances. may be possible, but the world at large will regard it with nothing but scepticism, realiz~ ing how often in the past Italy has received nothing out of the Rome-Berlin Axis, while Germany has gained much, even if that may prove to be only temporarily. Apart from that the speech consists of the usual recital of alleged Nazi achievements, and the cus~ tomary untrue presentation of the causes which have led up to this present conflict. A striking example of this is Herr Hitler's review of the situation during the last war. "Twenty-five year ago Germany was not well armed. France was better armed and Russia was her ally. But during the years 1915 to 1918, the sittiation became improved, thanks to Providence, However when every thing appeared to be going well the German people became ungrateful." This entirely novel exposition of the course of the last war will be read with considerable amusement throughout the world.
The imperial war machine had been under construction in readiness for the hostilities of 1914 for years before. August of that year was considered ripe, and, in that month, the war for which gigantic preparations had been made was launched. Germany was better prepared, better equipped and had the advantage of chosing her own time, was only by a miracle that the invasion of France was ultimately held up, and it the Allied position which improved in subsequent years until military defeat was inflicted upon the Germans to such an extent that their commanders had to notify their Emperor first that victory was no longer possible, and secondly that an armistice was necessary. What German ingratitude had to do with losing a war in which the German armies were fairly and squarely beaten on the field it is diMeult for anyone to perceive except those possessed of the same strange historical conceptions those which dwell in the brains of a man who appears to make up his history as she goes along. This is an entirely novel explanation of the defeat in the last war. Up to the present it has either been the machinations of the Jews, or the old familiar "stab in the back" to which the world has become so accustomed. Hitler has apparently been making new researches into history, and has discovered that "ingratitude more' strong than traitors' arms" which quite vanquished his country of adoption, The fertility of his imagination is only equalled by his untruthfulness. That the man lies has nowadays to be taken for anted. It is so patent. With the usual ait Of injured innocence he declares that after Munich Mr. Chamberlain determined to Teach no more accords with Germany. The truth is that after Munich the British Prime ister was forced to the reluctant conclusion tht Herr Hitler was not to be trusted, that he was animated throughout by bad faith, and that he was indeed 1 principles which he had "They de-he continues, "despite all our efforts at conciliation." It was such conciliation as the rape of Poland which forced the Allies to take action. It v fear that similar "conciliatory" ae be taken against other countries which Jed them to commence war to stop him. The "conciliation" of the sword had to be met resistance with the same weapon.
Then again Herr Hitler plaintively re~ marks that he has always been ready to conclude agreements, The facts show the only agreements he is ready to conclude involve the surrender to one or other of his many and various demands. They also show that any agreement with him is not worth the paper it is written on, that his regime cannot be trusted and that so long as it exists there can be neither peace nor security for Europe. Then there is the usual bleat about Britain making war on women and children, the old familiar accusation with regard to the blockade, a traditionally accepted weapon of warfare. Against that it can with more justice be said that it is Herr Hitler and his regime which do not hesitate to imperil the lives of women and children by the ruthless sinking of merchant vessels regardless whether they belong to the Allies or to neutrals, Furthermore it il "becomes the man, whose hands drip with the innocent blood of the Poles, whose supporters have been inflicting unheard of cruelties upon the civilian populations of the nations he has crushed, to criticize the methods of nations with whom humanity is still a major consideration in their policies. And if it is necessary to reply to his allegation with A tu quo que it must surely be that in his unsuccessful attempt to blockade Great Britain he also is warring upon women and children. It has all along been quite apparent that what he does to others is always legal and proper, but what others do to him is unlawful and inhuman, To go on further and discuss all the points which this man endeavours to make would be a work of supererogation, It is not necessary.—Herr Hitler stands before the world self-condemned as a man in whom it is impossible place any faith, whose word is not to be relied upon, and whose every promise has to be regarded with the gravest suspicion. His speech makes it as clear now as ever it was that peace can only come to Europe by the elimination of himself and his accom-phoes from the government of Germany.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.