UNDERGROUND WAR

Evening Star, Issue 23525, 14 March 1940, Page 18

UNDERGROUND WAR

MOVEMENT IN GERMANY Tlio aims of tho Social Democratic Party in Germany “ to establish new liberties for the masses of the German people ” are being maintained by *• an underground movement ” in that country to-day, according to Dr Paul Hertz, a loader of that group in tho Reichstag before 1933. Dr. Hertz, who loft Germany for Prague when Hitler came into power and”has been more recently in Paris, has arrived in the United States, says the ‘ New York Times.’ In an interview at the headquarters of the Friends of German Freedom, the former political leader outlined the progress of this “ underground group.” Because of its limited operations, Dr Hertz explained that “ the strength of the movement ” was difficult to estimate, but pointed out that “ it is not a mass movement.” He said the purpose of his visit to this country was "to spread some of my ideas to the American people, and thus help tho underground movement as a former member of the old Social Democratic Party, as well as those who ore Working in its behalf in Germany at tile risk of their lives.” Tho war has placed “ an even greater burden ” on those who aro engaged in this movement in Germany, Dr Hertz added, but “ the goal is even more noteworthy and the, possibility of a strong mass movement becomes greater.” Questioned about the effect of Germany’s campaign on the western front. Dr Hertz said that in his opinion “ the mass of people in Germany have no. conception of. what is going on, and. that only those listening, to foreign broadcasts under the threat of the death penalty know what is happening outside of Germany.” The effect of the Pact with Russia, according to tho information Dr Hertz lias received from members of ‘‘.the underground group,” has been different in relation to different groups. With one group “ the feeling of _ desperation ” was uppermost, he explained, while that of another held it “ a hidden diplomatic move,” witli the feeling that Russia will eventually oppose Hitler.

Dr Hertz expressed the opinion that “ big business in Germany ” Avas ahvays “favourable Russia,” citing as an instance the establishment of German aeroplane manufacturing plants after the World War on Russian soil. He said that “ Hitler has opposed Russia only for purposes of propaganda, and that tho movements of anti-Semit-ism and anti-Bolshevism Avere Aveapons to Avin oyer the German people as well as to spilt up other nations on these matters.”