"I have conducted really a partical peace-policy during these years.

"I approached all apparently impossible problems with the firm determination to solve them in a peaceful manner even at the cost of more or less heavy German concessions. I am a front-line soldier myself and I know the hardships of a war. I wanted to spare the German people from it. I approached therefore problem after problem with the solid determination to try everything for a peaceful solution.

"The most difficult problem with which I was confronted was that of our relations with Poland. There was a danger that Poles and Germans would regard each other as hereditary enemies. I wanted to prevent this. I know well enough that I would not have been successful if Poland had had a democratic Constitution. For these democracies which indulge in phrases about peace are the most blood-thirsty war agitators. In Poland there ruled not a democracy but a man; and with him I succeeded, in precisely one year, in coming to an agreement which, for 10 years to begin with, entirely removed the danger of conflict. We are all convinced that this agreement will bring lasting pacification. We realize that there are two peoples which must live together, and neither of which can do away with the other. A people of 33 millions will always strive for an outlet to the sea. A way to understanding, then, had to be found."

"And now we are confronted with the last problem which must be solved and which will be solved. It is the last territorial claim which I have to make in Europe, but it is a claim from which I will not swerve, and which I will satisfy, God willing."

"I have little to explain. I am grateful to Mr. Chamberlain for all his efforts. I have assured him that the German people want nothing but peace; but I have also told him that I cannot go back beyond the limits of our patience.

"I assured him, moreover, and I repeat it here, that when this problem is solved there will be no more territorial problems for Germany in Europe. And I further assured him that from the moment when Czechoslovakia solves its other problems, that is to say, when the Czechs have come to an arrangement with their other minorities, peacefully and without oppression, I will no longer be interested in the Czech State. And that, as far as I am concerned, I will guarantee. We don't want any Czechs at all. But I must also declare before the German people that in the Sudeten German problem my patience is now at an end. I made an offer to herr benes which was no more than the realisation of what he had already promised. He now has peace or war in his hands. Either he will accept this offer and at length give the Germans their freedom, or we will get this freedom for ourselves."