The German Character

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 111, 4 February 1941, Page 8

The German Character

Sir, —Hitler’s latest speech to the German people is nothing more than the reiteration of his fixed ideas, clothed in phrases now abusive, now bombastic, and which he applies to different peoples on different occasions —whenever they seem appropriate to the occasion. First on the Russians, then the Poles, the Czechoslovakians, the French, and now directed against the British —indeed, against any people not ready to bow to his will His is the outpouring of a mind poisoned and embittered by frustration.

Since the advent of Hitler and his followers they seemed to have succeeded in bringing to the surface the inherent cruelty in the German character, for to anyone who had lived among the Germans and made a close analysis of the German character, one perceives beneath the veneer of German culture and apparent gentility the ever-lurking- beast. The desire to dominate is always there, awaiting the opportunity. This is shown clearly to the observer when a German finds himself in a position of authority over his fellows. His arrogance knows no bounds. As with the individual German, so it is with the Germans as a nation. . . .

There are misguided people who believe that if the Germans are given access to the world’s raw materials and niore living space the Germans will be contented and become peaceful. That is an illusion. Germany had access to the world’s resources and markets before 1914. Was she contented and peacefully inclined? Let us not forget her mighty war machine of that day which was let loose upon European—and upon the whole world had she not been opposed and thrashed. The German character will never be contented to share with anybody or with'any nation on equal terms. The German must dominate. Because of this inherent quality he will never make a spirit that would lead with understanding sympathy; on- the contrary, he will drive. He must be the master, absolute and unquestioned in his authority. The modern term “authoritarian State” expresses his very soul. The Nazi “new order” is an order in which the German will exercise his lust for domination to the full, thus fulfilling his eternal dream. —I am, etc., J. A. MCFARLAND. Wanganui, January 31.