Among the pronouncements made by German leaders during the past week have been orations by Dr. Wilhelm Trick, Home Minister, Dr. Robert Ley, Labour Front leader, and an interview by the ineffable Dr. Goebbels, Minister for Propaganda. Giving the world at large penetrating glimpses into the obvious, Dr. Goebbels pointed out that the Reich was not yet ready to make concessions regarding Austria, Czechoslovakia and Poland, or to accept shameful and futile conditions of a peace which would leave in existence all European problems. He announced the intention of the Reich to create a new order in Europe. Really the manner in which various aggressor nations copy each other's slogans indicates the paucity of their imaginations. Dr. Goebbels also announced that the colonial problem which, before the war, was not an immediate one, was now included amongst the war aims of the Reich. Dr. Ley or the other hand particularly emphasized the German desire to annihilate Great Britain, and the deduction to be drawn is all too obvious. namely, that Herr Hitler and his gang commenced this war in the hope of securing a victory which would enable them to carve up the colonial empires of Great Britain and France, If in the past Herr Hitler's pronouncements of German war aims have been vague and shadowy, his henchmen have left no doubt in the mind of the world as to what are exactly the intentions of the Nazi government. Fortunately slips do occur between the cup and the lip and the mere enunciation of German hopes and intentions is still a long way from their accomplishment, So long as this spirit animates the German: leaders it is apparent that Mr. Sumner Welles's visit to Germany is not likely to prove a success, and will probably not even be welcomed in Berlin. Dr. Goebbels reference to the question of neutrality is interesting, and typical. "It is of no use," he remarked, "to invoke democracy and freedom of the Press either, for a State wishing to enjoy the benefits of neutrality must meet certain obligations." Obviously the first such in his view is to refrain from criticising Nazi methods and policies, and in the sentence quoted is to be seen the old familiar stick which the Reich continues to hold over the heads of its smaller and less powerful neighbours. It is fortunate for. Europe that the Allies do not intend to be cowed either by the speeches of the German leaders or the military might of their country. No matter what the determination of, Herr Hitler and his satellites may be the Allies are equally determined that they shall not be permitted to continue and increase their sway over their weaker neighbours. Great Britain. and France are fully committed to seeing that Germany shall receive the utmost justice in any peace settlement which may be reached, but whether that justice will be wholly to the liking of Herr Hitler and men of his sort, is entirely another matter.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.