IF HITLER DIED

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 33, 9 February 1943, Page 2

IF HITLER DIED

THE distinguished American who has publicly suggested that Hitler is dead has had diplomatic experience in Russia, where during his term as Ambassador it was not unknown for prominent men to disappear suddenly, finally and without explanation. He knows that such things can happen; he knows, too, what happened in Germany when the Nazi leaders fell out in 1934. But the idea that the death of Adolf Hitler - could be successfully concealed for more than a few hours, or perhaps days, puts too great a strain on credulity. What if it were true? It would mark the beginning of a period of great danger for the United Nations, and the danger would arise from the belief that Hitler and Hitlerisra can be distinguished from Germany and German militarism. When it suits them, the Germans will try to exploit this belief. For the first time in the long and costly struggle, the Germans are being heavily defeated; for the first time many of them must be thinking of the possibility that they will lose the war. To avert that calamity they will make any sacrifice, except one. If they think that they can negotiate a peace, on condition that they throw out the Nazi regime, they will throw it out. And the task would be easier if Hitler were dead, .for in German eyes no other Nazi approaches his stature. If they thipk that by setting up a pseudo-democratic regime they will succeed ---in" convincing the Allies that they have undergone a change of heart, they will do that, too. But, whatever sacrifice they may be prepared to make, when their fear of defeat grows strong, there is one they will not make—they will not willingly permit the breaking of German military power. Yet for the Allies that must be the indispensable test, not only of whether they have won the war, but of whether they can win the peace. It will be the indispensable, conclusive test whether Adolf Hitler is dead or alive. German militarism did not begin with Hitler, and it will not end with him unless the Allies, having attained their first goal of "unconditional surrender," know how to use their victory.