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to clear out of the way misunderstandings and hindrances to a final
conciliation. Had this not occurred, it was clear that an intolerable situation
might one day have developed, whether intentionally or otherwise, which might
have brought about a very serious catastrophe. It is then, as a rule, no longer
within the power of man to stay the course of a destiny that first arose
through negligence or stupidity! I am glad to be able to assure you that these
considerations corresponded with the views of the Austrian Chancellor whom I
invited to come to visit me. The idea and the intention were to bring about a
relaxation of the tension in our relations with one another by giving under the
existing legislation the same legal right to citizens holding National
Socialist views as are enjoyed by the other citizens of German Austria. In
conjunction with this, there should be a practical contribution towards peace
by granting a general amnesty, and by creating a better understanding between
the two states through a still closer friendly cooperation in as many different
fields as possible — political, personal, and economic — all
complementary to and within the framework of the Agreement of 11 July.
I want to express, in this connection, before the German people my
sincere thanks to the Austrian Chancellor for his great understanding and the
warm-hearted willingness with which he accepted my invitation to work with me
so that we might discover a way of serving the best interests of the two
countries, for after all, it is the interest of the whole German people, whose
sons we all are, wherever we may have been born.
I believe that in
reaching this mutual understanding we have also made a contribution to European
peace. The best proof that we are right in this supposition is the rising fury
of democratic world citizens who are always talking about peace, and yet who
let no opportunity pass of inciting to war. They are angry with, and infuriated
by, this work of understanding. It is therefore a permissible conclusion that
our work was good.
Perhaps this example will be helpful in gradually
bringing greater relief to the tense situation in Europe. Germany is willing,
in any event, supported by her friendships, to leave nothing untried in order
to preserve the greatest blessing, that blessing that is the basis for every
future work, namely, peace.
I can assure you, fellow Party members,
that our relations with the other European Powers, as well as with the States
outside Europe, are either normal or else very friendly.
I need only
point to our especially warm friendship with Hungary, Bulgaria, Yugoslavia, and
many other states. Our |
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