OPPOSITION TO NAZIS

Greymouth Evening Star, 19 October 1939, Page 8

OPPOSITION TO NAZIS

STRENGTH IN GERMANY LONDON, September 8. One of the most interesting British activities in the war so far lias been the dropping of millions of leaflets in Germany by R.A.F. planes. Just what, effect these propaganda raids may have remains to be seen. The first reaction of the Nazis is said to be one of amazement, and it is also reported that measures will be taken against people reading this literature in 1G ! same way as imprisonment is promts-i ed for those who listen to foreign broadcasts. The usefulness of the reconnaissance side of the propaganda raids is all to the good. Discussing the chances of internal opposition in Germany making itself effective, the “Yorkshire Post” says that much depends upon the success or failure of the German fighting forces as to whether the existing nucleus of potential opposition is .to lose or gain ground. A large section of the German population is undoubtedly ail uncertain factor, likely to be determined in its adherence by the progress of events. All estimates on this subject are naturally quite relative.

The important factor hitherto has been the question, what alternative is possible? According to one critic, at least 50 per cent, of the population could envisage greater happiness under another regime, if there was a chance of it materialising.

Undoubtedly, awareness of this has led Hitler, before the outbreak of war, to nominate the Council of Six and to give German generals pow 7 ers of martial law in the districts where their troops are concentrated. Conservative elements in the population who detest the boastful rhetoric of Nazi functionaries, and the mistrust spread by 7 tale-telling and spying on neighbours so encouraged by the Gestapo, are inclined to pin their faith on the integrity and probity of the German Army.

In making generals responsible for the maintenance of order in their-dis-tricts Hitler has evidently sought to identify the Army more closely with his regime and to shift to the Army onus for the authority which when enjoyed by Nazis, brought such odium on the regime through their arbitrary conduct. ,

During the Cabinet crises in the Spring of 1938 the Army Command manifested keen resentment at the endeavours of such pundits of Nazi ideologj r as Herr Alfred Rosenberg to carry on propaganda among the officers. While General von Fritsch,was made the scapegoat for the Army’s “intransigence” by being required to resign from his post as Commander-in-Chief, Nazi propagandists were instructed to “lay off.” In return, the Army promised to employ as chaplains none of the Evangelical pastors closely identified with the more uncompromising wing of the Confessional movement which, under the virtual leadership of Pastor Niemoller, challenged Nazi interference with Church affairs in Northern Germany. There can be no doubt, however, that a bond of sympathy between Conservative circles among Army and Navy officers and the Confessional clergy still persists. The less traditional fighting forces, for instance Air Force and mechanised units, tend, generally speaking, to be more pervaded by Nazi propaganda. Paradoxically enough, probably those sections of the fighting forces last subject to Nazi influence are likely to prove the most reliable patriotic human material from the point of view of the Fatherland in time of war. WORKING CLASS FEELING It is the German working classes who provide the largest section of that unseen opposition to Hitler which has no doubt that any other regime were better than his. The abandonment of the policy of appeasement by the British Government came as a heartening impetus to such elements discouraged by the fall of Czechoslovakia. Reiteration by the Allies that they have no quarrel with the German people, only with the Nazi regime, finds a keen response there. About the possibilities of sabotage it would not be appropriate to divulge any details, but it can be said with 1 , certainty that these sufferers from the Gestapo’s reign of terror are just! biding their time for striking a blow for freedom, even when, for discretion’s sake, they are at least vocal in their opposition. Harm was done to the Allied cause after the last war by rabid fanatics who demanded that the Kaiser, as su-

preme war culprit, should be tried by his victors. As one of the Allies’ principal aims in the present war, the slogan might well be suggested, “Hand over the Fuehrer to his own people.” They will know by then how to pass judgment for the misery; which he has brought on them.