The Polish State has refused the peaceful settlement of relations which I
desired, and has appealed to arms. Germans in Poland are persecuted with
bloody terror and driven from their houses. A series of violations of the
frontier, intolerable to a great Power, prove that Poland is no longer
willing to respect the frontier of the Reich.
In order to put an end to this lunacy, I have no other choice than to
meet force with force from now on. The German Army will fight the battle
for the honour and the vital rights of reborn Germany with hard
determination. I expect that every soldier, mindful of the great
traditions of eternal German soldiery, will ever remain conscious that he
is a representative of the National-Socialist Greater Germany. Long live
our people and our Reich!
September 26, 1938
Speech in the Sportpalast by Hitler
British War Blue Book
http://metalab.unc.edu/pha/bb/bb-028.html
"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 should not have been successful if Poland had had a democratic Constitution.
For these democracies which indulge in phrases about peace are the most bloodthirsty war agitators. In Poland there ruled no democracy, but a man; and with him I succeeded, in precisely twelve months, in coming to an agreement which, for ten years in the first instance, entirely removed the danger of a conflict. We are all convinced that this agreement will bring lasting pacification. We realise that here 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 for understanding, then, had to be found; it has been found; and it will be ever further extended. Certainly things were hard in this area. The nationalities and small national groups frequently quarrelled among themselves. But the main fact is that the two Governments, and all reasonable and clear-sighted persons among the two peoples and in the two countries, possess the firm will and determination to improve their relations. It was a real work of peace, of more worth than all the chattering in the League of Nations Palace at Geneva."
www.yale.edu/lawweb/avalon/wwii/gp1.htm
