From: Andrew Johnson
Date: 2006-03-06 15:19:31
By the most brutal methods of terrorism, a regime sought to maintain an existence that was condemned by the overwhelming majority of its people…I have tried to persuade the responsible authorities that it is impossible for a great nation, because it is unworthy of it, to stand by and watch millions belonging to a great, an ancient civilized people be denied rights by their government… I have endeavoured to find some way to alleviate a tragic fate. One agreement was signed only to be broken. I then tried a second time to bring about an understanding. A few weeks later, we were forced to the conclusion that the government [of Austria] had no intention of carrying out this agreement in the spirit that had inspired it, but in order to create an excuse. I have determined, therefore, to place the help of our country at the service of these millions. Since this morning, our soldiers are on the march across all of Austria’s frontiers. – Adolf Hitler, proclamation to the German people, 12 March 1938, justifying the German invasion of Austria (originally printed in the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives Monitor, April 2003 www.swt.org/share/an…) “We have no interest in oppressing other people. We are not moved by hatred against any other nation. We bear no grudge. I know how grave a thing war is. I wanted to spare our people such an evil. It is not so much the country [of Czechoslovakia]; it is rather its leader [Dr. Edward Benes]. He has led a reign of terror. He has hurled countless people into the profoundest misery. Through his continuous terrorism, he has succeeded in reducing millions of his people to silence. The Czech maintenance of a tremendous military arsenal can only be regarded as a focus of danger. We have displayed a truly unexampled patience, but I am no longer willing to remain inactive while this madman ill-treats millions of human beings.” – Adolf Hitler, 14 April 1939, justifying the German invasion of Czechoslovakia, at the Sportpalast in Berlin (originally printed in the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives Monitor, April 2003 http://www.swt.org/share/ancientciv.htm) “The wave of appalling terrorism against the [minority] inhabitants of Poland, and the atrocities that have been taking place in that country are terrible for the victims, but intolerable for a Great Power which has been expected to remain a passive onlooker. We will not continue to tolerate the persecution of the minority, the killing of many, and their forcible removal under the most cruel conditions. I see no way by which I can induce the government of Poland to adopt a peaceful solution. But I should despair of any honourable future for my own people if we were not, in one way or another, to solve this question.” – Adolf Hitler, August 23, 1939, justifying the German invasion of Poland, from letters sent to the UK and French governments in response to their communications condemning the invasion of Poland (originally printed in the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives Monitor, April 2003 www.swt.org/share/an…)
