| destroy the small amount of arms remaining to her, if the neighboring
countries will do the same thing with equal thoroughness. |
| |
| * * * * * * * * * * |
| |
| She is also entirely ready to renounce all offensive weapons of every
sort if the armed nations, on their side, will destroy their offensive weapons
within a specified period, and if their use is forbidden by an international
convention. |
| |
| * * * * * * * * * * |
| |
| Moreover, the German Government will not reject any prohibition of
arms as being too drastic if it is applied in the same manner to all other
states. As long as armaments are allowed to other powers, Germany cannot be
permanently deprived of all weapons of defense. We are fully prepared only to
make use of an equal status to an extent to be settled by negotiation.
|
| |
| * * * * * * * * * * |
| |
| Germany is at all times prepared to renounce offensive weapons if the
rest of the world does the same. Germany is prepared to agree to any solemn
pact of nonaggression because she does not think of attacking but only of
acquiring security. She would welcome the possibility suggested in President
Roosevelt’s magnanimous proposal of bringing the mighty United States into
European relations as a guarantor of peace. The President’s proposal is a
ray of comfort for all who wish to cooperate sincerely in the maintenance of
peace. We have no more earnest desire than to contribute to the final healing
of the wounds caused by the war and the Treaty of Versailles. Germany does not
wish to take any other path than that recognized as justified by the treaties
themselves. The German Government wishes to come to a peaceful agreement with
other nations on all difficult questions. They know that in any military action
in Europe, even if completely successful, the sacrifice would be out of all
proportion to any possible gains. |
| |
| * * * * * * * * * * |
| |
| May the other nations realize the resolute will of Germany to put an
end to a period of blundering and to find the way to a final understanding
between all, on the basis of equal rights. |
. 
