Evening star., 1939-05-07

The world listened breathlessly to
speeches In Berlin and Warsaw within
the week. Chancellor Adolf Hitler's
challenge was accepted by Poland's
spokesman, COL Joseph Beck. The eff
feet Of those speeches will decide the fate
Of Europe within the next few days.
The game Of bluh is over. Poland is
willing to remain at peace with Germany
on basis of equality. In other words,
the Polish people are willing to agree to
readjustment in the status of the Free
City Of Danzig and discuss possible facil-
ties for Germany's communications with
East Prussia, provided they are convinced
that these would not in the end jeopardize
Poland's national existence.
Col Beck expressed clearly the thought
that Poland does not contemplate ac-
cepting situation whereby she would
eventually be placed in the position of
Czecho-Slovakia; she refuses to become
stifled and eventually shrink"
A week earlier, Chancellor Hitler, re-
plying to President Roosevelt's message
Of peace by common understanding
among nations, dispelled in 2-hour-10-
minute speech all doubt as to Germany's
future intentions
A cool analysis of Hitler's momentous
speech at the Kroll Opera House before
the dummy Parliament of Germany
shows:
Hitler's Speech Analysed.
/. The United States has been re-
moved from the European political stage
temporarily at least. There is little
doubt that unless some emotional wave
sweeps the country as it did in Septem-
ber, 1898, the White House and the State
Department will return to the old role
of observers" and will not venture again
to become the peacemakers of Europe
No American can enjoy the sarcastic re-
marks of the German chancellor ad-
dressed to President Roosevelt He did
not deserve them because he was actu-
ated by an honest desire to avert a world
war. But leaving these sentimental con-
siderations aside, Hitler was undoubtedly
skillfully advised in his retort to the
President because he produced sufficient
arguments to bolster the isolationist
leaders in this country.
When President Roosevelt sent his
historic cable to Hitler on April is, most
observers and diplomats congratulated
the aStuteness Of the President of the
United States because he appeared to
have put the dictators on the spot Hitler
neatly turned the tables on him and Of
fered ample ammunition to the over
whelming number Of Americans who
believe IN keeping Americas nose out
Of Europes affairs.
Hitler's reply was drafted almost en-
tirely by a man who knows the United
States better than most of Hitler's en-
tourage-Dr. Hans Dieckhon, who Is
nominallyt still Germany's Ambassador
to Washington. He realized that an in
direct appeal to the United States to
mind its own business would produce the
necessary effect If framed in an intelu-
gent manner. Hitler, for once, followed
the advice of his Ambassador to the
letter.
Turns Attention to Poland.
2. With the United States out of the
scene, the Reichsfuehrer has the stage
to himself. He has adopted toward Po-
land the same tactics he employed with
Czecho-Slovakia. He did not precipitate
crisis Immediately, but left the Euro
pean nations to fret over his threats and
peace" proposals. France and Great
Britain were allowed soberly to digest
his speech and decide whether it is
worth while fighting for the sake of Dam
zig or road through the Polish Cor
ridor. In the meantime, observers and
spies were permitted, as they were last