Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1939. ADOLF’S ANGER.

Greymouth Evening Star, 17 October 1939, Page 6

Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1939. ADOLF’S ANGER.

<T is scarcely surprising to hear that Herr Hitler is experiencing a worrying time, that he is convening numerous conferences of the Nazi leaders, and that he is in a decidedly angry mood. The essential characteristic of a dictator, of course, is his insistence upon having his own way, and his constitutional inability to bear opposition gladly. Until recently, Herr Hitler had triumphantly pursued- his aggressive course in Europe, and secured a splendid collection of bloodless victories. Then came a check, the Poles being inconsiderate enough to refuse to allow themselves to be used in the same way as the Austrians, the Czechs, and others, without making a fight for it. The “might is right” policy came into action, and Poland was ruthlessly over-run, but not until the German forces suffered heavy casualties in men and material. Conveniently forgetting about the thousands of

civilians —men, women, anti children,—who were sacrificed to make a Nazi victory, the Fuehrer became eloquent, in his praise ot the groat Gorman Army and Air Force, and pointed to Poland as a horrible example of what was in store for those* who had the al-most-iinbeliovable temerity Io oppose his will. By all the rules of the game as played by the Nazis, there should have boon no more trouble, and the plans should have gone ahead smoothly, until the time-table showed that the next aggressive move was due, the fat°*

of Poland being considered as a winning card, calculated to dispose of all opposition. After scooping the pool in Poland, and collecting his winnings, the Fuehrer calmly proposed that the game, be called off, but he found that he had sadly underestimated the strength of the Allies’ cards, and they promptly trumped his ace, at the same time insisting that he should continue to play until they decided to call enough. No wonder Adolf is angry, that he is “pale and unshaven, and had scarcely time to change his clothes.” Such tactics are sufficient to cause any self-respect-ing dictator to lose his temper. Not only have Britain and France refused 1o play as he thinks they should, but Herr Hitler has discovered that, while his attention was centred on other problems, the Russians have quietly helped themselves to a large proportion of his Polish gains, and that they are rapidly undermining his plans for further scoops in the East. Outwardly, Herr Hitler still professes warm friendship for the Soviet, but, imvardly, he is probably repeating the words he applied in “Mein Kampf” to the Soviet leaders, including such compliments as “liars, frauds, thieves, thugs, robbers,” and “the very scum of mankind.” A further cause for anger lies in the success of the Allied blockade, the German mercantile marine having been swept off the seas like counters from a table, the vessels either being captured or forced to seek safely in neutral ports, where, so far as being of any use to Germany is concerned, they might as well be lying at the bottom of the sea. A lengthy and efficient blockade was not bargained for by the Nazis. •While affairs are going badly for Herr Hitler in the East, owing to Russian penetration, M. Stalin having proved himself an apt pupil of Nazi methods, matters in the West provide the Fuehrer with no cause for satisfaction. Deserted by his erstwhile partner, Signor Mussolini, the Nazi dictator finds that his forces are facing a vastly-different proposition from that encountered in Poland. While the Germans were weakening themselves in subduing the Poles, the gallant resistance of the latter gave Britain and France a splendid opportunity to complete the mobilisation of their resources, and they are now ready for any offensive the Germans may, in desperation, decide to launch. The French carried matters further than mere preparation for resistance, however, and took possession of an important strip of German territory, from which it v’iH prove costly to dislodge them. It was reported some time ago that Herr Hitler Jiad given instructions that the French were immediately to be driven from German soil, and that the reflection upon Nazi prestige caused by their presence was to be removed. So far, the drive has not materialised, and the longer it is delayed the worse ivill be the conditions encountered, in view of the fact that the weather is already becoming unsuitable with the approach of Winter. Finally, the Hitlerian anger has been further aroused by the refusal of Mr. Roosevelt to adopt Nazi suggestions, and advise the Allies to agree to a peace conference. Meanwhile, Adolf is being forced to play a losing game.