Herr Hitler on Peace Herr Hitler's New Year address to
the Diplomatic Corps was in form and substance all that could be desired. Its theme was peace, its purport Germany's desire to see European peace established. It is easy to talk peace and prepare for war, but if Herr Hitler is charged with that he is well entitled to reply by asking which of the Great Powers (except Italy, where disquisitions on peace are not frequent) is not doing the same. It does not, moreover, inevitably follow that preparation for war is fatal to peace. Germany's strength has dispelled whatever genuine fear she had of being attacked ; our strength is becoming such as to deter any Power from precipitating a conflict in which we might be an opponent. No one can look on the situation in Europe with satisfaction or confidence, but at least the tension is less acute than it has been for some months, and the possibility of some reasonable understanding between this country and Germany greater. If that understanding could be achieved it is hardly too much to say that the peace of Europe would be secured. Herr Hitler says he wants peace, and he may reasonably expect to be believed, though we have still to be assured that he wants it on conditions that can justly be fulfilled. How best the contacts initiated during Lord Halifax's visit to Berlin can be developed is a matter that demands careful consideration. That they ought to be developed is patent.
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