COMMENTATOR'S LEAVETAKING

Evening Star, Issue 25472, 1 May 1945, Page 5

COMMENTATOR'S LEAVETAKING

WAR RACING TO END GERMANS ENJOINED TO SPEAK MOTHER TONGUE (Rec. 10.55 a.m.) LONDON, April 30. "Everybody knows that this war. is racing towards an end which may come to-morrow. This is the. irrevocable fact," said Dr Shcharping, one of Germany's best-known home front-com-mentators, broadcasting on Hamburg radio. " There will then be hundreds of thousands, nay, -millions, of German children 1 and women standing at their windows looking into empty streets for the return of a father or son. but they will never return. "Thus the question arises: What is the meaning this war? Looking back,' we realise that both the people and the men at the front surpassed themselves in heroism and boldness. They have shown the .world what Germany can do when she gathers all her strength. They withstood with aching hearts but set teeth the onslaught of three continents, and stood fast as long as was humanly possible. Now we are taking leave of this eerie trek of fallen heroes. ' .

" Every German, must retain in his heart his faith that this war had meaning. He must determine that everyone will henceforth continue to speak German. Though the country may be temporarilv occupied, we must remain loyal to the'raother tongue. Let us embrace Germany, which is a growing and flourishing force. "I have found few words recently to express the fortitude of the German people, and I shall say little to-day.at the moment, when this war is speeding, with giant strides towards its completion."