Evening star., 1935-05-22
Hitler's Latest Manifesto.

HllIerS S widely neralded manifesto
on Germany's international policy, ad-
dressed to his puppet Reichstag, con-
tains little that is really new. 1t is
repetition, on the whole, of his oft
proclaimed desire for peace. coupled,
as usual, with an emphatic declara-
ton of Germany's firm purpose to
make herself formidable in all the
mechanics of war. The F'uehrer is
ready to enter into European nom
aggression pacts except with Lithu-
ania, though he stresses Germany's
unwillingness, because of uncomprom-
ising hostility to Communism, to bind
herself to any European security
agreements that might require her to
fight on the side of Soviet Russia.
In the realm of armaments Hitler
adheres unflinchingly to the position
enunciated on March 16, when he first
disclosed Germany's determination to
rearm in defiance Of the prohibitory
clauses of the Versailles treaty. He
reafhrms the familiar contention that
it Is the allied powers which violated
the Versailles pact by refusing to dis
arm to the level imposed upon the
Reich, and infers that until there Is
unqualified recognition Of German
arms equality there can be no thought
Of the country's return to the League
of Nations. While repudiating the
Versailles armament restrictions, Ger
many will Internationally respect"
all the other articles Of the treaty,
including territorial settlements. until
revision can be achieved by peaceful
agreement. Meantime, Germany is
ready to participate in a system of
collective cooperation for European
peace, including an air convention,
but mutual assistance pacts have no
allure for the Reich. Germany is
prepared TO join In all efforts for prac-
tical limitation of armaments, includ-
ing abolition of the submarine and Of
aerial bombing and poison gas in
areas outside of actual war zones.
Hitler makes a direct bid for the
friendship of Great Britain by ac-
knowledging her need for pre-
dominant feet and agreeing TO accept
for Germany a navy thirty-five per
cent of its strength and fifteen per
cent below French strength. The
Fuehrer stresses Germany's desire for
relations with Britain that will for
ever prevent repetition of conflict
with her. There is a token Of good
will toward France In Hitler's refer
ence to previous Pronunciation" Of
Alsace-L Lorraine.
Despite these lavish assurances OF
Germany's peaceful intent and desire
to humanize war, Hitler, on the eve
Of his Reichstag address, formally
promulgated the conscription law,
which makes him absolute ruler Of
the Reich's military forces, imposes
one year of compulsory service upon
all men between the ages of eighteen
and forty-five years, and requires
every adult, including women, to do
some kind of national work In case Of
war. The new law, clothing Hitler
with the supreme war lord" powers
once vested in the Kaiser, supplies
the basis upon which the Nazis' army
of twelve divisions, totaling roundly
100000 men, is to be organized and
maintained, along with a correspond
ing reserve corps.
Hitler suggested, without actually
specifying the demand, that Germany
Graves restoration as a colonial power.
His policy of future expansion, if his
statements are to be regarded as bind
ing assurances, does not include the
absorption of Austria. He categori-
cally asserted that Germany has no
intention of interfering in Austrian
domestic affairs or annexing Austria"
The Fuehrer's latest utterance can
by no stretch Of the imagination be
interpreted as q reputation of Ger
many's purpose to secure wider place
for herself in the international sun,
but he has pledged himself very def
nitely to the achievement of the
Reich's ambitions by pacific means
and in collaboration with other coun-
tries in accord with international
usage. 1t now remains for Hitler to
match his soothing words with appro-
pirate deeds. From the standpoint of
his own people, the Nazi dictator has
made another adroit and convincing
speech that doubtless will strengthen
his stranglehold On the nations SIP