Hitler speaks to Reichstag on 6th Anniversary

Today, Adolf Hitler, Chancellor of Germany, went to the Reichstag. His speech was to mark the sixth anniversary of the Nazi rise to power. In the speech, he made aspersions to his ascendence to prophethood:

In the course of my life I have very often been a prophet, and have usually been ridiculed for it.

He continued on with his diatribe against the European Jewry after bringing up what has been referred to as the "Jewish problem". He also brought in the Bolsheviks, another target of increasing hatred by Hitler and many within the Nazi power structure.

...if the international Jewish financiers in and outside Europe should succeed in plunging the nations once more into a world war, then the result will not be the Bolshevizing of the earth, and thus the victory of Jewry, but the annihilation of the Jewish race in Europe!

Probably the worst of his remarks toward Jews came before this:

Europe will not have peace until the Jewish question has been disposed of. The world has sufficient capacity for settlement, but we must finally break away from the notion that a certain percentage of the Jewish people are intended, by our dear God, to be the parasitic beneficiary of the body, and of the productive work, of other peoples.

As expected, the Reichstag applauded his remarks enthusiastically. It seems that Hitler is promising the destruction of the Jews should they lead Europe into war. An interesting promise considering that Hitler seems to be the warmonger.

Chamberlain speaks in Birmingham

Neville Chamberlain, the Prime Minister of Great Britain spoke yesterday in Birmingham, England. He was addressing the Jeweler's Association of that esteemed city. In his speech he spoke of continued peace but also of the preparations should that peace be no longer viable.

Early on in the speech, the Prime Minister addressed the effects of modern warfare saying that it is "so terrible in its effects on those who take part in it, no matter what the ultimate outcome may be, it brings so much loss and suffering even to those who stand aside and watch combat from the ring, that it ought never be allowed to begin unless every practicable and honorable step has been taken to prevent it". This he says is the "view of this government from the beginning". Last year's Munich Agreement is, as he says "an incident in a consistent, unwavering policy of peace."

He also states that "Without the improvement in the relations of this country and Italy, I could never have obtained Signor Mussolini's cooperation last September, and without his cooperation I do not believe peace could have been saved."

After bringing up the Italian dictator, Mr. Chamberlain spoke of his recent visit to Rome and meeting with Mussolini. This was to speak to the criticism that has recently been directed at Mr. Chamberlain concerning not only his visit to Rome which did not result in any agreement but also his recognition of the Franco government in war-torn Spain.

He claims that the visit to Rome was not without results. They were able to, in his words, "get to know Italian statesmen better, to ascertain by personal discussion what was their point of view and to make sure that they understood ourselves."

In addition, he claims that the he found "the intense and passionate desire of the Italian people for peace." Moreover, the "feeling is not confined to the peoples of Britain and Italy." He said quite optimistically, that one may find "the same thing in France...Germany...in every country of the world."

He cautioned immediately after making this statement "that it is with governments and not peoples that we have to deal." Despite this, he said "let us cultivate the friendship of the peoples, and that can be done by individuals and by traders as well as by more official representatives."

It seems that Mr. Chamberlain is encouraging a deepening friendship of European bortherhood amongst the British. Great Britain and its islands, has long has identity problems considering its geographic relationship with the rest of Europe.

He wanted it clear that "we do not regard them as potential foes but rather as human beings like ourselves with whom we are always prepared to talk on terms of equality, with an open mind to hear their point of view and to satisfy so far as we can any reasonable aspirations that they cherish and which do not conflict with the general rights of others to liberty and justice."

Now after taking a considerable time to be hopeful and optimistic, the Prime Minister turned his remarks toward an area that is less idealistic. He was more speculative and spoke of the possible defense that Great Britain may find herself embroiled in. "If we should ever be involved in a war" he said "we may well find that if we are not at all in the firing line, we may all be in the line of fire."

Despite the darkness of this particular image that the Prime Minister evoked he also said "...in meeting that danger there is a new opportunity of service for the civil population in the various branches of defense." It appears the Prime Minister foresees an increase in war-related jobs that may help the still sluggish growth of the British economy.

At this time, it was prudent for the Prime Minister to address preparations being made among the civilians, the homes, their communities and even their children. He mentioned the numerous steel air-raid shelters "which are to be provided to give protection to those who live in vulnerable areas and cannot be expected to provide them for themselves." Considering England and its industrial centers, that may be a very high number of air-raid shelters.

Moreover, he spoke the "evacuation from our large, congested cities. If evacuation is to be carried out effectively it must be done in an orderly manner and I think it will be generally agreed that we must consider the children first." According to Mr. Chamberlain, the Minister of Health has asked local communities for surveys of acceptable accommodations that may receive, house and care for children during a possible future wartime.

He later spoke of the rumors and gossip that has been in the papers and on the airwaves. These may be devisive and unsettling. "Today the air is full of rumors and suspicions which out not to be allowed to persist." Prior to this he also remarked that plans will be made publis with cooperation between civilians and authority but that there may times when "matters cannot be made public without prejudice to the national safety." In that event, "we shall disclose fully our revised plans for civil defense to all who would be affected by them."

At end of his speech, the Prime Minister devoted some time to Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the current President of the United States of America. He recalled in the President's most recent New Year message that the President said "peace could only be endangered by... a demand to dominate the world by force. That would be a demand which, as the President indicated and I myself have plainly declared already, the deomcracies must inevitably resist."

Mr. Chamberlain, however, "cannot believe that any such challenge is intended." He returned to his earlier remarks on the ravages of modern warfare and the avoidance of such savagery by practical nations. He said " the consequences of war for the peoples on either side would be so grave that no government which has their interests at heart would lightly embark upon them. Moreover, I remain convinced that there are no differences between nations, however serious, that cannot be solved without recourse to war by the consultation and renegotiation as was laid down in the declaration signed by Herr Hitler and myself in Munich."

He finished by entreating all to "continue to pursue the path of peace and conciliation, but until we can agree on a general limitation of arms let us continue to make this country strong." He then made aspersions has he done so earlier to Great Britain's triumph over Napoleon. He remarked to the audience that Great Britain should "meet the future with the same courage which enabled our ancestors to win through their troubles a century and a quarter ago."

Mr. Chamberlain was received warmly by the Association. His remarks have been made available to the press. It can only be days before a response will come from Herr Hitler or Signor Mussolini.

Chamberlain keeps his seat

Chamberlain retained his parliamentary seat yesterday. In East Norwich, he had enough votes even with a decreased majority.

F. Medlicott, a Liberal National who supports the Prime Minister, was elected to the House of Commons with 18,257 votes. The opposition, N.R. Tillett, had 10,785 votes. This was a majority of 12,647 votes for the government in the 1935 election.

Japan has a new Prime Minister

Despite his countries successes in China, Prince Fumimaro Konoe is resigning his position as Prime Minister of Japan.

He said he was tired of being a robot for the military. His resignation became official yesterday with the instatement of the newly appointed Baron Hiranuma.

Konoe will now be chariman of the Privy Council.

Baron Kiichiro Hiranuma is notable for his Spartan lifestyle: he sleeps four hours per day, eats only two meals and participates regularly in the sports of archery and fencing. He does all this at the wise age of 73 years. The new Prime Minister is also a founder of a patriotic society.

State of the Union Address

President Roosevelt stood in the House of Representatives yesterday afternoon to give the State of the Union Address to the 76th session of Congress. His remarks were centered firmly on national defense. This is a topic that has in recent months become one of great interest and urgency. Developments in the past year in Europe as well as in East Asia have indicated a need for nations to take it upon themselves to ensure their continued peace and prosperity.

On this, the President said "All about us rage undeclared war - military and economic... threats of new aggression - military and economic." He stated that these entities are attacking the "new philosophies of force" with their threats to liberty, religion and international good faith. He pledged the defense of the Western Hemisphere from these philosophies. These philosophies are fascism, nazism and with less urgency though no less significant, communism. All of them subscribe in some measure to a rabid nationalism. He went on to say that the demands of the future will demand a United Nation. He linked national defense with his New Deal and social welfare programs.

He concluded his address by quoting Abraham Lincoln's closing remarks to his own 1862 State of the Union address: "This generation will 'nobly save or meanly lose the last best hope of earth. The way is pain, peaceful, generous, just - a way which if followed the world will forever applaud and God must forever bless.'"

With it's conclusion, the President and his cabinet exited the chamber and left Capital Hill.

Japan responds to US State Department

Yesterday, the US State Department made its official rejection of current policies in place in China under Japanese authority.

It was inevitable that Japan would respond as is their right. In summation, the Japanese Imperial Government replied stating it was establishing a "new order based on genuine international justice throughout East Asia". The note also went on to make it clear that there is not one nation which has the power to establish order in areas not under sovereignty particularly that of the United States. In other words, the Japanese are calling into question whether the US has any right to complain about areas that are not under its express control in China.

Japan's New Order in China meets opposition

The United States Department of State does not believe that Japan's new order in China is beneficial. Most especially, the government feels that there are too many conflicts with US interests in China. There have been numerous economic and human rights violations during Japan's sometimes ruthless campaign on mainland Asia.

United States declared that these interferences are not only "unjust and unwarranted" but also "counter to the provisions of several binding international agreements, voluntarily entered into" to which the United States and Japan are both parties.

The Government of the United States can not assent to the establishment of a regime "which would arbitrarily deprive them of the long-established rights of equal opportunity and fair treatment".

German ID Cards go into effect

Identity Cards go into effect in Germany and in lands under German control. Jews will be required to have their identity as Jews listed on their cards. At this time, it appears that it will be a stamp of "J" on the card (Kennkarte) or passport (Reisepässe). Some regulations indicate that people who have even one Grandparent that is Jewish will be designated as Jews.

Jews will also be restricted from working side-by-side with non-Jewish Germans.

Hitler is said to have passed word to Jews outside German lands that life is that intolerable Jews that they should know better than to live there. He also believes that they will finance the emigration of any Jews form Germany.