DEEDS THAT SHATTER WORDS

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 80, 28 December 1940, Page 2

DEEDS THAT SHATTER WORDS

Nazi New Economic Order WHAT IT WOULD REALLY MEAN (By “Knob-Turner.”) In the failure to develop the new European order which is to usher in the Nazis’ golden age, German propaganda has run up against some awkward facts and has revealed a great deal to the outside world. The new drive was designed primarily to impress the United States on the eve of the Presidential election; but all it did was to harden American opinion against the Nazis. The German people were not told the same story as the other nations. This was typical of the “strong stuff” served to the Germans: — “We Germans are born to be masters of Europe, and must conduct ourselves accordingly.” (October 7.) “A lower race needs less clothes, less food and less culture than a higher race.” (Dr. Ley, October 7.) “The economic system of Europe must be organized to achieve the maximum of economic security to Germany and the highest possible standard of living for the German people.” (Dr. Funk. October 25.) “We are the Herrenvolk.” (Every German leader in every speech.) Outside of Germany the idea presented was that the new order was to benefit all. “There will be no more economic nor nationalistic restrictions,” said a German broadcast to America. “There will be no more unemployment, no more hunting for markets.” At the same time the Director of the I.G. Farbenindustrie was quoted to assure the Dutch that by “Lebensraum” Germany did not mean an area she wished to control; no, she simply “wished to co-operate aud trade for mutual benefit.” In every case the ireople outside the Reich were assured that the Nazi purpose was to make everybody happy and to guarantee everybody work and food. Nazi Blandishments. But the facts dispute the Nazi blandishments. In Eastern Europe and in Western Europe the Nazis have systematically plundered. In every country brought under the German jackboot, the Nazis have over-valued the Reichsmark in relation to the currency of the enslaved people to enable German soldiers or officials to "buy” what they will. This is legalized looting. The Nazis have either deprived industries of raw material or have adopted them to Germany’s war needs. The seizure of foodstuffs is shown by the following quotations: — “The increased coffee ration in Germany has been made possible by the enormous stocks seized at Continental ports.” (German News Agency, September 4.) “Continually increasing fish exports to Germany now amount to 200 tons daily and involve the strictest economy in Norway.” (Svenska Dagbladet, September 7.) “Many people consider that every kilogramme of produce leaving the country is being taken from us in a manner likely to undermine our existence. They would prefer to keep everything in Denmark in order to ensure us against lack of food. To keep back is impossible.” (Herr Olesen,. chairman of the Danish work organization, October 13.) German Plundering. These examples are only the latest in a long list which provides evidence of German plundering. Even Spain has suffered. German soldiers have poured worthless paper marks across the border in buying foodstuffs from Spaniards. And what is the reason for this plundering if Germany hopes to bring Europe into a new order in which everyone will be happy in co-operation. Either the Nazis wish to smash the economic orders of the enslaved countries or, despite the advantages of ingratiation, they need badly the stuffs they are taking, because the blockade ami the air raids are having serious effects. Nowhere in Europe have there been indications that the Nazis’ new European order has been accepted, and the reason for this is not far to seek. When people see the German soldiery plundering their foodstuffs, when they see themselves left starving while the German authorities openly boast, of rations increased by supplies brutally filched from the "lesser peoples,” they cannot be made to believe that the Nazi is the angel or the superior being his propaganda declares him to be. The hatred engendered by Nazi brutality is piling up in places where starvation has been imposed, and when it is given the chance to translate itself into action not all the radio stations in German hands will deflect it from its course. This is an “order” the Nazis have brought into existence by their deeds.