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 interview" by, the ineffable Dr. " Goebbels, Ainister for Propaganda. Giving the world large penetrating. glimpses into the obvious, Dr. [Goebbels pointed out that the Reich was not yet ready (o make concessions regarding Austria, [Cecchoslovakia and Poland, or to accept shame-{ful and futile conditions ofa peace which would eave 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 on 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 Hier and his gang commenced this war in the hope of securing a vielory which would enable them to carve up {the colonial empires of Great Britain and France. loin 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 fof the Nazi government. Fortunately slips do oeettt between the cup and the lip and the mere Jenuneiation of German hopes and intentions is sill a long way from their accomplishment. So jong 'a8 this spirit animates the German leaders 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. Ds. Goebbels reference to the question of neutrality is interesting, and typical, "It is of no rise," he remarked, "to invoke democracy and freedom of the Press either, for a State wishing to enjoy the benedts of neutrality must meet certain obligations." Obviously the first such in view ig to refrain from criticising Nat methods and policies, and in the sentence quoted to be seen the ofd familiar stick which the Reich continues to hold over the heads of its smaller and less powerful neighbours.
Fortunate for Europe that the Allies do not in~ {tend 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 fare equally determined that they shall not be permitted to. continue Pease their sway over their weaker neighbours. Great Britain [ghd 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 sen of his sort, ts entirely another matter.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.