Sunday, February 1, 2009
Germans Proud of Hitler
Gone are the days, the press points out, when German envoys had to wait in the antechambers of foreign powers and when German proposals and protests were met with ironic smiles. When Herr Hitler speaks the world listens, and that in itself is registered as a token of the distance, from armed weakness to world power, that Germany has covered under Chancellor Hitler in six years.
At the same time, official quarters, the press and a good part of the public were also eagerly listening today to the world echo that the speech evoked.
The press, largely because the public likes to that too, puts the main emphasis on how, with his declaration that he believes in a long peace, Herr Hitler confounded "warmongers" and their "war hysteria," and some newspapers already see Herr Hitler as challenging Prime minister Neville Chamberlain's peace laurels.
Despite many breathing a sigh of relief, Herr Hitler has put the problem of colonies at the feet of the world. This problem may well need to be solved dutifully and soon.
Hitler demands the colonies taken from Germany to be returned. Despite the assent given by the British on other matters, they refuse on this.
With the rumors that have come out of Germany about their military might and the mechanics, German correspondents seem puzzled by reports from international reporters.
In any case, all German newspapers proceed from the fundamental thesis laid down by Chancellor Hitler that Germany has too little living space, and, therefore, a new division of the world now is in order.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Chamberlain speaks in Birmingham
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.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Chamberlain keeps his seat
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.
Monday, December 1, 2008
Great Britain picks up the pace
Despite Chamberlain's assurance "Peace for our Time", it appears the British are not so assured after all. However, it may be noted that it was initiated due to Germany's illegal presence in the Rhineland and its own surge in military building and manufacturing.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Jewish Children expelled from Schools
The next day, the British Cabinet met and discussed the issue. It has announced that it will take the British Jewish Community up on its proposal to save the Jewish Youth of Central Europe.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Jewish leaders ask Chamberlain to save Jewish children
Among other measures, they requested that the British government permit the temporary admission of Jewish children who would later re-emigrate. The Jewish community promised to pay guarantees for the refugee children.
In light of Kristallnacht and the public outrage against the Nazi Party, the Prime Minister has assured the British Jewish Community that he would take their concerns and proposal to the cabinet for discussion today.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Czechoslovakia complies
Newly installed Prime Minister General Jan Syrový said in a nationwide broadcast "As soldier and as Premier ... I am passing through the saddest moment of my life, for I am fulfilling a most painful duty, a duty which for me is worse than death. . . . We were confronted with a choice between desperate and hopeless defense, which would have meant the sacrifice of our whole younger generation, their children and their wives, and acceptance of the conditions imposed on us under pressure and without war, which in their mercilessness are unexampled in history. There are smaller states than ours that lead healthy existences. . . . We shall be within narrow frontiers, but we shall be all together in one family! . . . Our army will stand guard over the nation as before. . . . Trust us!"
The soldiers, as they withdrew, gave bystanders dark scowls and muttered oaths, the Czech officers avoided meeting civilian eyes, discharged their bitter duty with compressed lips. Nazi folk of the Sudeten town of Cesky Krumlov were the first Germans to dishonor themselves by opening dastardly fire upon the retreating Czech soldiers' backs. These Sudetens were also the first to smash windows and pillage shops and homes owned by Czechs, Jews and non-Nazi Sudetens such as Communists, Socialists and Social Democrats. Such outrages were not typical but exceptional, according to latest dispatches. The German army entered those parts of Czechoslovakia which it is to take over progressively by October 10 in the same peaceful fashion as it entered Austria, was cheered last week by civilians.
The German troops, ordered to swing across the frontier at three different points between Helfenberg and Finsterau at 2 PM. precisely, had set their legs in motion on German soil at 1:58 PM by the wrist watch of their commander, Colonel General Wilhelm Ritter von Leeb. They entered first that part of the Bohemian Forest in which Schiller laid his play The Robbers. Since in these rustic parts there were no accommodations deemed suitable for high officers, these, on the first night, left their German troops sleeping in tents or peasant huts, themselves returned to sleep in hotels in Germany, hurried back next morning into Sudetenland.
Fifty-eight hours after the German Army, Dictator Hitler entered Czechoslovakia under a drizzling rain this week. Every German car on this road which might possibly have contained the Führer had been wildly cheered by Sudetens for hours beforehand, and when Adolf Hitler finally reached Eger, "The Sudeten Capital," its throngs were both hoarse and hysterical. It was less than seven months since Austrians had similarly welcomed "our Deliverer," and the Führer seemed much moved as he made what was for him an exceptionally humble speech: "In this hour I want to thank the Almighty for having blessed us in the past, and to pray that He may also bless us in the future. . . . Germany is happy! . . . All are comrades ready to stake their lives for each other. . . . Over this greater German Reich is laid a German shield protecting it and a German sword defending it!"
"Vote for the Fatherland!" In Prague, although the sweeping catastrophe was obvious, editors took up the task of putting as bright an aspect on the situation as they could. The optimistic vigor of President Beneš remained dauntless. As the Chief Executive, he at once turned on every organ of propaganda and reassurance to persuade Czech refugees from areas in which plebiscites are to be held to return to the homes from which they fled under Nazi threats and "Vote for the Fatherland!"
Everywhere food was still plentiful in the land, much more so than in Germany, and there was no break in the amazing Czech morale, which endured nearly 400 years of oppression under Habsburg masters. With backhanded cheerfulness, the Narodni Listy reminded its readers: ''The history of the Czechs is almost an uninterrupted tragedy!"
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
House of Commons backs Chamberlain
Winston Churchill, one of Chamberlain's own Conservative Party, has never been on the same page as the Prime Minister. He has been the leader of a group called the Churchill Group which consistes of himself and two other members, Duncan Sandys and Brendan Bracken. They are also referred to as "The Old Guard". These MPs are largely anti-appeasers and favor a stronger foreign policy.
Churchill, as expected, was one of those who gave a speech in condemnation of the agreement.
We have suffered a total and unmitigated defeat...you will find that in a period of time which may be measured by years, but may be measured by months, Czechoslovakia will be engulfed in the Nazi régime. We are in the presence of a disaster of the first magnitude...we have sustained a defeat without a war, the consequences of which will travel far with us along our road...we have passed an awful milestone in our history, when the whole equilibrium of Europe has been deranged, and that the terrible words have for the time being been pronounced against the Western democracies: "Thou art weighed in the balance and found wanting". And do not suppose that this is the end. This is only the beginning of the reckoning. This is only the first sip, the first foretaste of a bitter cup which will be proffered to us year by year unless by a supreme recovery of moral health and martial vigour, we arise again and take our stand for freedom as in the olden time.He also declared this of Neville Chamberlain and his agreement with Hitler:
You were given the choice between war and dishonour. You chose dishonour, and you will have war.Not all are as vocal as Churchill. Anthony Eden, another Conservative, was believed to be a rallying point for many MPs who opposed Chamberlain's actions, has kept quiet and avoided confrontation. He even abstained from the vote.
However, the vote was held and the Prime Minister won handedly with a final tally of 366 to 144. With a margin of 222, there is little chance the Prime Minister is going anywhere anytime soon.
Regardless of recent events, rearmament of Great Britain continues on the same pace it has been.
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Czechoslovakian Anger

The people of Prague gathered to protest the sacrifice of their lands, economy and people for Appeasement.
Friday, October 3, 2008
British Politics in the wake of the Munich Agreement
Chamberlain is still "The Man of the Hour". The new Westminster Hospital has been endowed with £1,000 for a bed, to be named ‘The Neville Chamberlain Bed’, ‘in perpetual remembrance of great efforts made by the Prime Minister in the cause of European peace’. Lucio, in the Manchester Guardian quotes some of the more fulsome paeans of praise from the press, for example this one from James Douglas in Saturday’s Daily Express:
God has raised up in Neville Chamberlain a deliverer. Are we going to waste him? Are we as great as he is? Are we as noble? Are we as pure in heart? Beware of the old evil that is lurking within us, thirsting to destroy us.More prosaically, there is speculation that if the House of Commons is hostile to Chamberlain’s report on Munich today, then he may take the country to a general election to capitalise on his popularity among the people. (An election isn’t due until 1940.) Chamberlain has already lost one minister over Munich, Duff Cooper, the First Lord of the Admiralty. His resignation speech, if fiery enough, could spark a revolt among those backbenchers who think too high a price has been paid for peace. Certainly Labour will be critical: one prominent Labour MP, Harold Nicolson, spoke in Manchester on Saturday and said
We have betrayed a valiant little country and a great democratic idea. There are many people who feel that in so doing we have achieved peace for a generation. They are wholly mistaken. We have not achieved peace for a generation: we have achieved it only for eight months.And the ‘Peace Pact’ which Chamberlain signed with Hitler was "not worth the paper it is written on".
The preparations for war are winding down. But there are still political activities after the Agreement. Sydney King-Farlow, in a letter to the editor of The Times, describes the disaster which has been averted:
He asks if this is not an opportune moment to try to reach an international agreement to prohibit the bombing of architectural and historical treasures in the great cities?Had war come upon us, and it was hanging on a hair, it would have begun with repeated attacks by fleets of aircraft which speedily would have converted the capital cities of Europe into heaps of smoking rubble. The noblest works of man which belong not only to particular countries but to the whole world would have disappeared for ever and the destruction of human life would have been appalling.
House of Commons on the Munich Agreement
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Reactions in Great Britain to the Munich Agreement
In spite of the joy that is in the air after the momentous event, there are detractors. The First Lord of the Admiralty Alfred Duff Cooper, 1st Viscount Norwich has resigned from his position due to the Munich Agreement. He criticised the Prime Minister for employing an Appeasement policy which is just as a effective as losing a war.
The King has accepted the resignation and noted that despite his acceptance of the resignation that he had enormous respect for Lord Cooper for standing by his convictions but that he is unable to agree with them.
It might seem churlish to express any doubts about the Munich agreement, given this tremendous outpouring of gratitude and relief. But doubts there are. Of course, having accepted, under enormous pressure, the terms of an agreement dismembering their country that they were not party to, the Czechs are none too happy about it: there have been massive protests in the streets of Prague. (The authorities had to blackout the streets in order to get them to disperse).
In Britain, Sir Norman Angell calls the agreement a ‘disgraceful sacrifice of innocent third parties’ and Robert Boothby, Conservative MP, calls it a victory for force. Sinclair, leader of the Liberals, says that ‘if war has been averted, peace has not yet been established’. For Leo Amery, the respite from war might be only brief, and should be used to bring in national service at once. The leader-writer of the Manchester Guardian admits that even if a war had been fought, there was no way that Czechoslovakia’s borders could remain as they were. But it remains to be seen whether Hitler is sincere in his desire for peaceful territorial revisions. And nobody who reads the terms carefully ‘can feel other than unhappy’, so harsh are they.
The London correspondent says that ‘At first it seemed like Armistice Day. The resemblance soon passed, but it is peace, however high the price and whoever has had to pay it’. The ARP and defence measures already taken are to remain in place, but nothing further will be done for now. Boxes for gas masks are to be procured and distributed, however! And Poland still wants Teschen, and it seems Czechoslovakia is unwilling to give it up.
Mussolini has also extended an invitation to Chamberlain to visit Rome. It is believed that similar accords can be made between the British Empire and the Fascist Italian State.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
"It is Peace for our Time"
...the settlement of the Czechoslovakian problem, which has now been achieved is, in my view, only the prelude to a larger settlement in which all Europe may find peace. This morning I had another talk with the German Chancellor, Herr Hitler, and here is the paper which bears his name upon it as well as mine (waves paper to the crowd).Later, he also had to speak to people outside his residence at No. 10 Downing Street.Some of you, perhaps, have already heard what it contains but I would just like to read it to you. "We regard the agreement signed last night and the Anglo-German Naval Agreement, as symbolic of the desire of our two peoples never to go to war with one another again.
Many of the Prime Minister's colleagues have registered their pleasure at the resolution reached earlier today. Cabinet members whooped and hollered when the Prime Minister was accorded an honor never given to a Prime Minister in British History. He was asked to Buckingham Palace and appeared at the balcony usually occupied by the monarchy.
My good friends, this is the second time in our history that there has come back from Germany to Downing Street peace with honour. I believe it is peace for our time. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts. And now I recommend you to go home and sleep quietly in your beds.
Before arriving at Buckingham Palace, King George VI sent the Prime Minister a letter telling the statesman of the Empire's gratitude for the deals brokered by the Prime Minister. The King also told the British People
After the magnificent efforts of the Prime Minister in the cause of peace, it is my fervent hope that a new era of friendship and prosperity may be dawning among the peoples of the world.Reaction has already started to pour in throughout the country and the world and it is largely positive.
Agreement in Munich
An agreement has been made by the leaders of the four powers who met in Munich on September 28th. Today, in the early hours, all four signed the agreement ceding the Sudetenland to the German nation. Also resolved are the territorial cessions to Poland and Hungary. Despite the loss to Czechoslovakia, War has been averted!What follows is the agreement as signed by the four countries. It is still protested by the USSR's Joseph Stalin due Czechoslovakia's absence.
GERMANY, the United Kingdom, France and Italy, taking into consideration the agreement, which has been already reached in principle for the cession to Germany of the Sudeten German territory, have agreed on the following terms and conditions governing the said cession and the measures consequent thereon, and by this agreement they each hold themselves responsible for the steps necessary to secure its fulfilment:
(1) The evacuation will begin on 1st October.
(2) The United Kingdom, France and Italy agree that the evacuation of the territory shall be completed by the 10th October, without any existing installations having been destroyed, and that the Czechoslovak Government will be held responsible for carrying out the evacuation without damage to the said installations.
(3) The conditions governing the evacuation will be laid down in detail by an international commission composed of representatives of Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Italy and Czechoslovakia.
(4) The occupation by stages of the predominantly German territory by German troops will begin on 1st October. The four territories marked on the attached map will be occupied by German troops in the following order:
The territory marked No. I on the 1st and 2nd of October; the territory marked No. II on the 2nd and 3rd of October; the territory marked No. III on the 3rd, 4th and 5th of October; the territory marked No. IV on the 6th and 7th of October. The remaining territory of preponderantly German character will be ascertained by the aforesaid international commission forthwith and be occupied by German troops by the 10th of October.
(5) The international commission referred to in paragraph 3 will determine the territories in which a plebiscite is to be held. These territories will be occupied by international bodies until the plebiscite has been completed. The same commission will fix the conditions in which the plebiscite is to be held, taking as a basis the conditions of the Saar plebiscite. The commission will also fix a date, not later than the end of November, on which the plebiscite will be held.
(6) The final determination of the frontiers will be carried out by the international commission. The commission will also be entitled to recommend to the four Powers, Germany, the United Kingdom, France and Italy, in certain exceptional cases, minor modifications in the strictly ethnographical determination of the zones which are to be transferred without plebiscite.
(7) There will be a right of option into and out of the transferred territories, the option to be exercised within six months from the date of this agreement. A German-Czechoslovak commission shall determine the details of the option, consider ways of facilitating the transfer of population and settle questions of principle arising out of the said transfer.
(8) The Czechoslovak Government will within a period of four weeks from the date of this agreement release from their military and police forces any Sudeten Germans who may wish to be released, and the Czechoslovak Government will within the same period release Sudeten German prisoners who are serving terms of imprisonment for political offences.
ADOLF HITLER,
NEVILLE CHAMBERLAIN,
EDOUARD DALADIER,
BENITO MUSSOLINI.
The agreement was signed at 1.30 this morning and the terms of the agreement were issued an hour later.
Saturday, September 27, 2008
"A Last Effort"
Then Hitler made an announcement that he would meet with France, Great Britain and Italy in Munich to discuss and resolve the conflict.
Friday, September 26, 2008
World War?
Great Britain assured France and Czechoslovakia that should Germany invade, it would stand by France in its agreements. The USSR also made similar statements to that effect. French and British Governments discussed military plans today.
Adolf Hitler also took the day to make speeches on the situation. He told the German people that once this situation is resolved, there will be no more territorial problems for the Germans. He also alluded to a severe relocation program that will likely occur in the Czech lands. Hitler even said "it is the last territorial claim which I have to make in Europe, but it is the claim from which I will not recede."
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Chamberlain leaves Bad Godesberg
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Mobilization
It seems the war many of Europe's powers were hoping to avoid may indeed be upon us.In the Sudetenland itself, the land that started this whole debacle, violence broke out. On the Czechoslovakian-German border there has been fighting back and forth. The Czechoslovakian troops took Eger back from the Sudeten Germans.
German troops continue to increase in number.
Talks continue between Hitler and Chamberlain at Bad Godesberg.
