THE DESIGN OF FASCIST GERMANY

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 21986, 9 January 1937, Page 15

THE DESIGN OF FASCIST GERMANY

Hitler Over Russia? By Ernst ' ' Henri. Translated by Michael < Davidson. J. M. Dent and Sons t Ltd. 340 pp. (8/6 net.) J # M. Henri begins his study of world J politics with an analysis of the situ- ] ation in Germany which led up to £ the elimination of Rohm and his sup- < porters in the June days of 1934. The j inner nature of this crisis becomes clear when he explains the part played by the bourgeoisie in putting the Nazis into power, and their sub- 4 sequent exploitation by the triumvirate in Berlin. Beyond this, again, he points to the heavy industry magnates of the Ruhr and describes the rise of Fascism as their planned effort for expansion! The way lies first of all to Austria, where for years a struggle has been going On for possession of the iron ore deposits in Styria. It is here that Germany has been confronted by Italy. Fascism ceases to be a class movement and is avowedly imperialistic as soon as raw materials come into dispute. But the movement does not stop in Austria. The Danubian states are restless under the influence of Fascist organisation and terrorist groups which seem to be financed from Ber-

lin. North-east and south-east across Europe, according to M, Henri, the Nazis are preparing their roads into Russia. For it is there that the final clash is to take place, and the conquest of the east is the inevitable aim of the new imperialism. In the light of this thesis an extraordinarily clear co-ordination seems to exist between scattered events of the past few years. . The murder of. Dollfuss, the manouevres of the Iron Guard in Rumania t the assassination of King

Alexander in Marseilles, the new groupings in Poland and Danzig: these and many other happenings take on a new significance and are alike in providing the evidence of a single purpose. The book is carefully documented, and is invaluable as a study of the aims and methods of Fascism. ' M. Henri does not believe that Germany can conquer Russia; but that does not lessen the sense - of impending catastrophe which makes this one of the most terrifying books in an age of many alarms.