NAZI GERMANY

Evening Post, Volume CXVII, Issue 17, 20 January 1934, Page 20

NAZI GERMANY

TWO POINTS OF VIEW

The new regime in Germany is analysed from two points of view in "Nazi Germany Explained," by Vernon Bartlett, and "Why Nazi?" The authors are an Englishman and a*German Jew respectively, and readers may be somewhat surprised to find that they agree somewhat closely, in spito of a necessary difference in" outlook. Mr. Bartlett writes with attractive simplicity and moderation, illustrating his points vividly from his store of personal reminiscences. He discusses the post-war history of Germany, the weaknesses of the Weimar Republic, the reasons for the growth and success of "National Socialism, the character of Hitler and his associates, and the problems of policy which face both Nazi Germany and her neighbours. Almost the same course is traversed by the anonymous author of "Why Nazi?" who', in spite of belonging to the persecuted section of the German community, succeeds in maintaining a fair and tolerant attitude towards the new regime.

. The chief value of both these books, remarks a reviewer in "The Listener," will be to counteract prejudice. Without in any way excusing, they provide an intelligible explanation of the events which have so shocked the outside world.. They agree in laying much of the responsibility for the Revolution upon the mistaken treatment of Germany by the Allies during the ten years following the Armistice. The German Eepublic thus became saddled with an "inferiority complex" from its birth; on the other hand, Liberal principles which formed its basis prevented it from ruthlessly eliminating reactionary elements, which remained to take advantage of its weaknesses. Revolt of youth against age, of the lower middle-classes against the "hidden hand" of finance, of discipline against individualism, all contributed to the rise of National Socialism. Both Mr. Bartle,tt and the author of "Why Nazi?" have chapters on the ugly side of Hitlerism, the persecution of Jews, Socialists and Liberals; and they show that it will be easiexfor other nations to exercise a moderating influence if they understand the cause and real nature of these excesses, and the point of view which led to their1 commission. The author of "Why Nazi?" gives interesting sketches of the chief personalities of the new regime; while Mr. Bartlctt concludes his book with a logical presentation of the problems which face a world with which, somehow or other, Germany (even _ a Nazi Germany) has to be reconciled if peace is to be preserved. Although the hori : zon of international affairs looks dark enough at the present moment, we need not despair so long as utterances so courageous and sane as those of Mr. Bartlett and the author of "Why Nazi?" can still find expression and support from public opinion. '