Evening star., 1939-04-28


ertheleSs, never left any doubt that
as I have already emphasized
even revision Of the treaty of Yer
sailles would also find its limit
somewhere. And I have always said
so with utmost frankness-not for
any tactical reasons but from my
lnnermost conviction. AS national
leader of the German people, have
never left any doubt that whenever
higher interests of the European
comfy were at stake, national in
terests must, If necessary, be rele-
gated to second place in certain
cases.
And-as I have already empha-
sized-thls is not for tactical rea-
sons, for l have never left any
doubt that / am absolutely earnest
in this attitude of mine. For quite
a number of territories which might
possibly be disputed I have, there
fore, come to final decisions which
I have proclaimed not only to the
outside world, but also to my own
people, and have seen to it that they
should abide by them.
The Saar Territory.
I have not, as France did in 1870
II, described the cession of Alsace-
Lorraine as intolerable for the fu-
ture, but I have here drawn a diff
ference between the Saar territory
and these two former imperial prov
tnces. And I have never changed
my attitude, nor will I ever do so.
I have not allowed this attitude to
be modified or jeopardized inside
the country on any occasion, either
in the press or in any other way.
Return of the Saar territory has
done away with all territorial prob
lens in Europe between France and
Germany. 1 have, however, always
regarded it as regrettable that
French statesmen should take this
attitude for granted
This is. however. not the way to
look at the matter. It was not for
fear Of France that preached this
attitude. AS former soldier I see
no reason whatever for such fear
Moreover, as regards the Saar terri
tory, l made it quite clear We would
not countenance any refusal to. re-
turn it to Germany.
No, have confirmed this attitude
to France as an expression of appre-
citation of the necessity to attain
peace in Europe, instead of sowing
the seed of continual uncertainty
and even tension by making un-
limited demands and continually
asking for revision. If this tension
has nevertheless now arisen, the
responsibility does not lie with Ger
many, but with those international
elements which Systematically pro-
duce such tension in order to serve
their capitalist interests.
I have given binding declarations
to large number Of states.
Never Threatened Any.
None of these states can COM
plain that even a trace of q demand
contrary thereto has even been
made to them by Germany. None
of the Scandinavian statesmen, for
example. can contend that a request
has ever been put to them by the
German government or by German
public opinion which was incom-
patible with the sovereignty and
integrity Of their state. was pleased
that a number of European states
availed themselves of these declar-
atipns by the German government
to express and emphasize their de-
sire for absolute neutrality. This
applies to Holland, Belgium, Switz-
erland, Denmark, etcetera.
I have already mentioned France,
I need not mention Italy, with whom
we are united in the deepest and
closest friendship, or Hungary and
Yugoslavia, with whom we as neigh
bors have the fortune to be on very
friendly terms.
On the other hand, I have left no
doubt from the first moment of nv
political activity that there existed
other circumstances which repre-
sent such a mean and gross outrage
of the right of self-determination
of our people that we can never &C.
cept or indorse them.
have never written single line
or made a single speech displaying
q different attitude toward the
aforementioned states. On ihe
other hand, with reference to other
cases, I have never written a single
line or made a single speech ir,
which have expressed any attitude
contrary to my actions.
Case Of Austria.
One. Austria! The Oldest east
ern march Of the German people,
was once the buttress of the Ger
man nation on the southeast Of the
Reich.
The Germans of this country are
descended from settlers from all the
German tribes, even though the
Bavarian tribe did contribute q
major portion. Later this Ostmark
became the crown lands and nucleus
Of the 1ive-century-old German EN-