YOUTH LEADER.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 134, 8 June 1934, Page 14

YOUTH LEADER.

I . HITLER'S LIEUTENANT BALDUR VON SCHIRACH. HIS AMERICAN ANCESTORS. BERLIN, May 10.

Around the corner from the old Reichstag building, looking out over the River Spree, is the headquarters of the "Hitler Youth," an organisation of about six million boys and girls. The ages of the- boys range from ten to fourteen (Deutschcs Jungfolk) and from fourteen to eighteen (Hitlerjugend). The girls are from ten to fourteen years of age (Jungmadel)j and from fourteen to twenty-one (Bunddeutsclier Madel).

At the entrance to this stronghold of the coming generation stand two tall slijn young Hitler boys, keeping guard. "Hail, Hitler," they salute as you go in. Again you are greeted with a hearty "Hail, Hitler," when you present your card in the waiting room and ask to see Herr von Schiracli.

Baldur von Schiracli, leader of the Hitler Youth movement, is a very busy man, and it is a surprise to be ushered immediately into Herr von Schirach's room. ' A broad-shouldered young man, of powerful build, with brown hair, earnest blue eyes and friendly smile, shakes hands cordially. Nothing to Tell. Her von Schiracli is not fond of the word "I." "It must be rather disappointing to you that there is really nothing interesting to tell about my life," is his reply to a series of attempts to draw out something personal from lim.

But, as we continue to talk, I begin to realise the reason; the personal with him has been almost completely- swallowed up in the oneness of what he feels to be his mission—the welding together of German youth for the good of coming generations and the honour of Germany. Early he became imbued with this idea. Hardly in his 'teens (lie is only twenty-seven now) when Communism took on such alarming proportions in Thuringia, he joined a youthful defence force to "protect the Fatherland." A

c year or so later, Hitler, only a short while out of prison, made a speech in Weimar. The schoolboy, Baldur von Schirach, was standing guard at the building where Hitler spoke. A few words from the leader, and the sixteen-year-old patriot became fired with the desire to throw in his lot with the little Hitler group that had adopted the name of National Socialists. Two years more and von Schirach, now a student at Munich, began to organise youth groups in accordance with the ideas of National Socialism. Like wildfire the movement spread among the students, and, at the age of nineteen, Baldur von Schirach became almost liiythical in the feaTs attributed to him. 4 Unquestionably- the tremehdous organising talent of this young man, combined with a burning sincerity of purpose, has contributed greatly to the success of National Socialism. For what would the movement be without the support of German youth? And this support it certainly has. Ask a Hitlerboy or Hitler-girl what he or she thinks of Baldur von Schirach. The answer in words may vary, but the light in the eyes of them all is the same. They do not think —they believe. And, believing, they follow. Family Life Disturbed.

1 There does not appear to be quite the same unanimity among parents, at least among those of well-to-do circles, for here there is a widespread feeling that family life is being seriously disturbed, and eventually may be destroyed, as a result of the all-too-strenuous service required by Herr von Schirach of German youth. . Four afternoons in the week, and every Sunday, must be kept free for orders from the leader. Also, there are parents who fear for the health of their children. The children are kept up too late at night, they say, and do not obtain sufficient sleep and rest. But to all arguments on this point Herr von Schirach is adamant. "It may be hard in individual cases," he deelares, "but, taking our youth as a -whole, our training is of infinite advantage to them. Only a very small percentage of parents are in a position to look after the welfare of their children in their free time. The recreation, the fresh air, the . bodily exercise, the discipline, mental and physical, which we afford the great masses, it is not • possible to get otherwise." The look of nnyielding determination which comes over Herr von Schirach's smiling face tells me it is unwise to pursue this particular subject. So, shifting to a safer topic, I ask: "Is it true that your mother is an American?" "Yes, my mother is from Philadelphia, and my grandmother was a Pinckney of South Carolina." Soon I learn that von Schirach is directly descended from Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, of revolutionary fame. Truly, fate plays strange tricks with nationalities. Quite a bit of American colonial and revolutionary history is bound up in this leader of the Hitler Youth. In the early days of the American Republic, when diplomatic intercourse between France and America was beset with difficulties, von Schirach's ancestor was appointed Minister to France. But the directory then in power, after treating him with • marked discourtesy, ordered him to leave the c-ountry. Later he returned to Paris with Chief Justice Marshal, and endeavoured to renew negotiations, with the result that Tallyrand gave the two American statesmen to understand that nothing ctfcld

be accomplished until the French Government had received an adequate \ present in money, intimating that the penalty of refusal would he war. "War he it, then!" was Pinckney's impassioned rejoinder. "Millions for. defence, sir, hut not a cent for tribute." Three of Herr von Schirach's relatives, on the maternal side, signed the Declaration of Independence, and his grandfather, a German, went over to America as a young man, married an American woman, became closely associated with Lincoln, fought in the Civil War, and rose to the rank of major. However, he returned to Germany, and his eon, Baldur von Schirach's father, became an' officer in one of the most aristocratic regiments of Germany. But in the Schirach family the blood of soldier and statesmen is mingled ■with that of poet' and artist. Among his American ancestors von Schirach counts 'Jphn Rodman Drale, the poet. Von Schirach's lister, Rosalind, singer at tli© CUarlottenburg Opera House, has avvoMsa- rare- sweetness and timbre, 59* bbraolf baa written '■ - . —

some highly-praised poems. In the "Banner of the Hundred" he sings of the sorrows of Germany, her struggle and her "resurrection."

Peace, Objective. In taking leave of Baldur von Schiracli, I asked: "Have you any special message for American youth?" "Yes," was his roplv, "I would like to ask the American youth to try to understand us. Our blood is the same. Why should we so frequently misunderstand each other ? We National Socialists do not wish to force our ideas on other countries. National Socialism is not an export article. We are convinced that it is the best form of government for Germany, and all we ask is to be allowed to work out our salvation as seems right to lis. We want friendly relations with other nations.

I "Naturally, I, with my American blood, especially, want a friendly understanding between America and Germany. I believe co-operation between American and German youth would go far to further peace. And that is our objective: Peace, to work for the welfare of our people and the honour of Germany."—(N.A.N. A.)