THE SPIRIT OF POTSDAM

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 183, 1 May 1933, Page 8

THE SPIRIT OF POTSDAM

Lord Grey's candid comment on the new aggressive spirit in Germany is impressive as coming from a British- statesman of we ’’ known pacifist sympathies. Following upon Sir Austen Chamberlain’s recent remarks in the same vein its significance should be apparent to the Nazi leaders. . t „,;„ri It is made clear to Germany that in her present state of mind conciliatory gestures and concessions may soon be out of the question. The attempt at a revival of the German national spirit is being carried out by methods of savagery which are rapidly alienating foreign sympathy. dec | ared tl:at j s f or f orce , “because in force I see strength, and in strength the eternal mother of rights, and in rights the roots of life itself.” Such sentiments may be in place it intended for domestic consumption. What Europe is beginning to fear is that they are for a wider audience. . Should the trend of events strengthen apprehensions in that direction, Germany would inevitably be forced into a position of isolation. Foreign Governments for their own security would be compelled to act in concert against her. Such a contingency Great Britain and Europe are anxious to avoid. . German mentality under Hitler is* gradually shaping jtself to the old aggressive spirit of Potsdam. The new Chancellor is awakening something which he may not be able to’control. Recent events have shown that he has been unable to restrain his Nazis from violent and savage excesses ujJon defenceless people. It may be apprehended with good reason therefore that having consolidated his power by such ruthless methods, he may look round for fresh fields for his pretentious activities. If he does not the pressure behind him may compel him to do so. Men of his type ate forced to go on “from strength to strength,” or burn themselves out. Dr. Krauss, a distinguished professor of the University of Gottingen, remarked recently that “numerically the greatest part of the German people and, above all, the strongest and most energetic factors among them, are to-day anti-Liberal, anti-Democratic, and antiParlianjentarian.” Present events show that this is a sound diagnosis. There was some hdpe when Germany agreed to join Signor Mussolini’s Four-Power Pact that her association with Britain, France and Italy would temper the mood which the Nazis’ success had created and fomented. Hitler himself spoke of the desire of the German nation to “be true friends of a peace which would at last heal the wounds from which all suffer.” It is to be hoped that calmer and wiser counsels will now prevail. The saturnalia of persecutions, beatings, and general “hate” should be brought to an end. Important questions affecting the general economic restoration of Europe and of the world are awaiting settlement. The state of Germany increases their difficulty. There can be no question of disarmament with that country in its present mood. Nor can there be any prospect of a harmonious adjustment of economic problems while she continues to outrage humanitarian sentiment in the way she is doing.