Evening star., 1939-04-28

and, therefore, appeared unarmed,
were not received, even when they
came to accept the terms Of the
dictated treaty, as the representa-
tiveS of a nation which at all events
had held out with infinite heroism
against whole world for four years
in the struggle for its liberty and
independence; they were subjected
to ever greater degradations than
can ever have been inflicted on
the chieftains Of Sioux Tribes.
The German delegates were in
suited by the mob. stones were
thrown at them, and they were
dragged like prisoners, not to the
council table of the world. but be-
fore the tribunal OF the victors,
and there, at the pistols point, they
were forced to undergo the most
shameful subjection and plundering
that the world has ever known.
can assure you. Mr. Roosevelt,
that am steadfastly determined to
see to 1t that not only now, but
for all future time, no German shall
ever enter conference defenseless,
but that at all time and forever
every German negotiator should
and shall have behind him the
united strength of the German
nation, SO help me God.
XIV.
The President of the United States
believes that in conference rooms
as in courts it is necessary that both
sides enter in good faith, assuming
that substantial justice will accrue
to both.
The answer: German represent
atives will never again enter con-
ference tnat Is for them a tribunal.
For who is to be the Judge there?
At a conference there Is no accused
and no prosecutor. but two contend
ing parties. And il their own good
sense does not bring about settle
ment between the two parties. they
will never surrender themselves to
the verdict OF disinterested foreign
powers.
incidentally, the United States
itself declined to enter the League
Of Nations and to become the victim
Of court which was able by a
majority vote to give verdict
against individual interests. But I
should be grateful to President
Roosevelt if he would explain to
the world what the new world court
is to be like.
Who are the judges here. accord
ing to what procedure are they Sc
lected. and on what responsibility do
they act? And, above all. to whom
can they be made to account for
their decision?
XIV.
Mr.. Roosevelt believes that the
cause Of world peace would be great
ly advanced If the nations of the
world were to give frank state
ment relating to the present and
future policy Of their governments.
The answer: have already done
this, Mr.. Roosevelt. in innumerable
public speeches. And In the course
OF this present meeting Of the Ger
man Reichstag, have again-as far
as this is possible In the space Of
two hours-made a statement Of
this kind.
I must, however, decline to give
! such an explanation to any one else
than to the people for whose exist
ence and life I am responsible, and
who on the other hand alone have
the right to demand that I account
to them However, give the aims
of the German policy so openly that
the entire world can hear 1t in any
case.
But these explanations are with
out significance for the outside
world as long as it is possible for the
press to falsify and suspect every
statement, to question 1t or to cover
it with fresh lying replies.
XVI.
Mr.. Roosevelt believes that, be-
cause the United States as one Of
the nations Of the Western Hemis-
phere is not involved in the imme-
diate controversies which have
arisen in Europe. should therefore
be willing to make such statement
of policy to him, as the head of a
nation so far removed from Europe.
The answer: Mr.. Roosevelt there
fore seriously believes that the cause
of international peace would really
be furthered If I were to make to
the nations of the world a public
statement on the present policy of
| the German government.
But how does Mr.. Roosevelt come
to expect of the head of the German
state above all to make a statement
without the other governments be-
ing invited to make such a state
ment of their policy as we'll?
certainly believe that it is not
feasible to make such statement
to the head Of any foreign state
but rather that such statements
should preferably be made to the
whole world, in accordance with the
demand made at the time by Presi-
dent Wilson. for the abolition OF
secret diplomacy.
Hitherto I was not only always
prepared to do this, but, as I have
already said, have done it only tot,
often. Unfortunately the most i'm
portant statements concerning the
aims and intentions of German
policy have been in many so-called
democratic states either Withheld
from the people or distorted by the
press.
If, however, President Roosevelt
thinks that he is qualified to ad-
dress such request to Germany or
Italy of all nations because America
is so far removed from Europe, We
on our side might with the same
right address to the President VI
the American Republic the question
as to what aims American foreign
policy has In view in its turn.
And on what Intentions this policy
is based-in the case of the Central
and South American States, for in
stance. In this case Mr.. Roosevelt
would, rightly, I must admit, refer to
the Monroe Doctrine and decline to
comply with such a request as an in
terference In the informal q affoirs .,f