 |
“2. We demand equality of
rights for the German people in respect to the other nations; abrogations of
the peace treaties of Versailles and St. Germain.
“3. We demand
land and territory (colonies) for the sustenance of our people, and
colonization for our surplus population.
“ 12. In consideration of
the monstrous sacrifice in property and blood that each war demands of the
people, personal enrichment through a war must be designated as a crime against
the people. Therefore we demand the total confiscation of all war profits.
“22. We demand abolition of the mercenary troops and formation of
a national army” |
| Much more belligerent in tone are the excerpts from Mein
Kampf, the basic theme of which was that the frontiers of the Reich should
embrace all Germans. On this book the IMT said: |
| |
“Mein Kampf is not to
be regarded as a mere literary exercise, nor as an inflexible policy or plan
incapable of modification.
“Its importance lies in the
unmistakable attitude of aggression revealed throughout its
pages.”* |
This book had a circulation throughout Germany of over six million
copies. We must bear in mind, however, that it was written by Hitler the
politician, before his party came to power. It is consistent with statements
that he made to his immediate circle of confidants and plotters, but it is
entirely inconsistent with his many speeches and proclamations — made as
head of the Reich — for public consumption. Some of these we will now
consider.
Two thoughts permeated Hitler's public utterances from his
seizure of power up until 1939. These were fear of communism and love of peace.
On 17 May 1933, in addressing the German Reichstag, he stressed the futility of
violence as a medium for improving the conditions of Germany and Europe and
asserted that such violence would necessarily cause a collapse of the social
and political order and would result in communism. He then said that
Germany “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 * * * 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 non-aggression because she does not think of
attacking but only of acquiring security."
On 14 October 1933, Hitler
announced the withdrawal of Germany from the League of Nations in a radio
speech filled with protestations of the friendly intentions of the Reich and
his government's devotion to the cause of peace. Many similar passages are to
be found in |
__________
* Ibid., p.
188.
1103 |
. 
