A GERMAN ON HIS COUNTRY

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22435, 23 June 1938, Page 17

A GERMAN ON HIS COUNTRY

LETTER FROM RESIDENT OF COLOGNE AUSTRIA CLAIMED TO BE GRATEFUL TO HITLER A German view on the annexation of Austria, claiming that Austria is exceedingly-grateful to Herr Hitler, is expressed in a letter to a Christchurch man, MrC. E. Holmes, from a resident of Cologne, Mr H. O. Roch. “Now in the days of the creation of a greater Germany by the return of Austria into the Reich, the whole' nation in the earlier Reich and in Austria feels exceedingly grateful to our Fuhrer Adolf Hitler, who has accomplished this deed by his untiring will and energy.’’ states the letter. ’ Referring to the broadcast of the event, the letter states: “I wished you could have heard only one moment this enthusiasm and joy of the whole Austrian people for National Socialism and for Germany, and you would have no doubt that there was no spectacle but the deepest reality. Sometimes, scenes touching to tears were to be heard by the people persecuted and repressed until that time. “Indeed, the immense plebiscitum on April 10 has given the confirmation of Hitler’s doing with more than 99 per cent., that is practically the Vote of the whole nation.” The letter is very enthusiastic in its praise of conditions in Germany: “You must know, there is no man or woman whose matters have not become better in any way during the last five years. And you will remember too, how the crisis in the world, and especially in Germany, had grown up in 1932. This crisis is now completely defeated and will never return. There is a new view of life which turned things- so profoundly. This view doesn’t regard things as the chief matter in life, but the human being himself as a part of his nation and race. And this view of life which achieved such a wonder of accomplishment and unity, is called National-Socialism. That is the solution of the problem, and therefore the young Germany is educated in politics, because these political ideas are the foundations, of social and national life.”

The letter expresses interest in the history of New Zealand, stating that exchange of such information is the best method of gaining international friendship.