Herbert Morrison, Laborite leader who is frequently mentioned as a likely choice for Premier the next time a Labor government is formed, warned Germany in a speech that its victory in the Saar plebiscite will hurt the standing of the Reich “unless the Nazis are humane and sensible in their treatment of the Saar minority.”
“They may find that their victory will lower the standard of Germany before world opinion rather than elevate it,” he declared.
“In any case, if the Saar is returned to Germany it removes one of the greatest grievances of Germany against the Treaty of Versailles,” he said.
CHECK NAZI SUCCESS
“It may possibly check the success of the Nazis trading on that sense of injustice against the rest of the world felt by the German people.
“If, however, the German government does the wise and decent thing and recognizes the humane and civic rights of the Saarland minority, it must logically do the same for the trade unionists, Cooperators, Socialists, Communists and Jews of the Reich itself.
“I do not believe that the German government fully appreciates the disgust felt by world opinion against the terrorism and tyranny of the Nazi regime.
LIFT TERRORISM
“One finds it difficult to appeal to the members of the German government and the Nazi party in view of their general temper, but I would submit to them that they would be rendering an enormous service to the good name of Germany, with which country we all want to be friends, if they were to celebrate their Saar victory by lifting the terrorism, stopping the tyranny, and restoring the political and industrial rights of the masses.
“They would receive an enthusiastic and kindly response from world opinion that would bring even greater joy to the heart of Germany than the victory of the Saar plebiscite.
“Although any appeal to the present regime in Germany is difficult, I would beg of them to think about it.”
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
