Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1934-12-02


So silent were the planes in the air that
the journalist was convinced the Ger
mans have hit upon the secret of noise
less flying. But whether this is true or
not, they certainly have discovered the
use of Diesel motors.
IOW many war planes has Germany?
This is one of the secrets which the
Third Reich guards most jealousy. An
Englishwoman who had unusual Oppor-
tunities to find out things not meant for
the public says that next year the
German air fleet will equal that of
France-and there are said to be 5000
machines in the French Air Corps. Other
observers says that the Reich already
has 5000 machines. Georges Mandel,
now a member of Premier Flandin'S
cabinet in France said some time ago
that the Germans are now in position
to manufacture $500 planes monthly.
There are those who say that the Reich
can quadruple this number. On the
other hand, General Denain, French
air minister, suggested the other day that
Germany will have only 1000 military
airplanes by the beginning of 1885. This
estimate however, does not include the
commercial aircraft. OF paramount in
terest is Gen. Goerings motto: Every
German must by flyer"
How can Germany finance such an
armament program? The army budget
probably covers a mere fraction of the
total expenditures; the balance is paid by
90
ture. War expenditures are camouflaged
as emergency labor costs and are
financed by treasury notes, tax scrips,
etc.
Now, to get back to the question: "Is
Germany's frenzied rearmament defen-
sive or offensive?" In his autobiography,
"Mein Kampf,' Adolf Hitler set forth his
inces are not reunited with their empire
by flaming protests but with the aid
of well-Sharpened sword"
Who is the enemy? "Mein Kampf"
gives the authoritative reply: 1T must
be made entirely clear that the in
exorable and deadly enemy of Germany
is and always will be France"
Yet, it was the same Hitler who
declared in his famous peace speech"
in October, 1893: while boldly assert
ing the rights which the treaties them
selves give us, declare that in the
future there will be for Germany no
more territorial conflicts with France"
As a matter of fact, Germany's actions
in the diplomatic field reveal more fear
than aggressive design. The Third Reich
has concluded non-aggression pact
with Poland in which it tacitly aban-
doned it's claim to the Polish Corridor
for at least 10 years. Berlin also backed
down in dealing with the Austrian ques-
ton at the first indication of serious
moves on the part of other powers.
Germany stands alone in the world
unless one considers Poland as a poten-
tial ally-and this is by no means
certain.
THERE is another side to the picture.
Even though Germany may build up
a formidable army by next year, even
though she may carry out her program
of rearmament in full, she is extremely
weak along the western frontier-the
demilitarized Rhineland zone. And along
that frontier the French are as strong
as is humanity possible. All accounts Of
the western fertilization of Franch agree
that it is the worlds most stupendous
effort in self defense.
Military experts apparently agree that
in future war airplanes, poison gas
and cholera bacilli will not be enough
these will have to be helped to victory by
human feet and arms. And the steel