The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1939-08-28

ton and this attitude every con-
ceivable source OF conflict between
our two peoples had been done
away with. which might lead to a
repetition OF the tragedy Of 1914
1918.
This voluntary limitation OF the
German claims to life In the West
can, however, not be interpreted
as an acceptance of all other
phases of the Versailles dictate.
I have really tried, year after
year, to achieve the revision of at
least the most impossible and I'M
bearable provisions of this dictate
by way of negotiation. This vas
impossible.
That the revision. had TO come
was known and clear to a greater
number of sensible men among
all nations. Whatever one may say
against my method. whatever one
believes one should criticize about
ii, 1t must not be overlooked or
denied that it became possible for
me without new bloodshed. not
only to find solutions satisfactory
in many cases to Germany, but
that by the method of my proceed
ure / relieved the statesmen Of
other nations Of the obligation, fire.
quently impossible for them. Of
having to defend this revision be-
fore their own peoples.
Was UnbearabIe
For, your excellency will have
to admit n thing to me: the re-
vision had to come. The Versailles
dictate was unbearable. No French
man with honor-and yourself In
cluded, Herr Daladier-would have
acted differently from myself In
a similar position.
In this sense ! have then tried
to remove from the world the most
irrational provisions of the YER
sailles dictate.
l have made an offer TO the
Polish government which shocked
the German people. Nobody but
myself could wen dare TO 20 be-
fore the public with such IN offer.
It could therefore be made only
once.
I am deeply convinced that II
especially England at that time
had. instead of starting a wild cam-
paign against Germany In the
press and instead Of launching
rumors of a German mobilization.
had somehow talked the Poles into
being reasonable, Europe today
and for twenty-five years could
enjoy a condition Of deepest peace.
Opinion Excited
As things were. however. Polish
public opinion was excited by a lie
about German aggression Clear
decisions which the situation called
for were made difficult for the
Polish government Above all the
governments ability to see the
limitations Of realistic possible
ties was impaired by the guarantee
promise which followed.
The Polish government declined
the proposals. Polish public opin-
ion. convinced that England and
France would fight for Poland.
began to make demands which q
might possibly stgmatize al laugh
able insanity yer they not 30
tremendously dangerous. At that
point an unbearsble terror, a physi-
cal and economic persecution OF
the Germans, although they num-
bered more than a million and a
half, began in the regions ceded
by the Reich.
I don't want here TO speak Of the
atrocities that occurred Suffice IL
to say that Danzig. too. was made
Increasingly conscious through con-
tinuous aggressive acts by Polish
officials Of the fact that apparently
ii Is irretrievably delivered over TO
the high-handedness Of q power
foreign to the national character Of
the city and its population
Questions DAIadier
May / now take the liberty Of
putting the question TO you. Herr
Daladier. how would you act a. a
Frenchman II. through some un-
happy issue Of a brave struggle,
one Of your provinces was severed
by a corridor occupied by . for
eign power? And II q big city