WAR-WEARY GERMANS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 262, 3 October 1940, Page 7

WAR-WEARY GERMANS.

LACK OF CONFIDENCE,

REVELATION IN BRUSSELS.

LONDON, Oct. 1. A contributor to the Times, who, after five years in France, resided in Brussels in August and the early part of September, declares that the majority of the thousands of uniformed German men and women who are dominating life in Brussels are tired and war-weary. “One scarcely hears among the German occupiers any high-flown phrases about victory or the greatness and invincibility of the Germans,” he states. “On the contrary, there is a surprising lack of confidence in the German propaganda. “I heard a German officer express the opinion that it is impossible for the Germans to invade or defeat England. I also heard German soldiers frequently express their detestation of this war and say they want to return home.

“One wonaers whether this is not an astute new form of propaganda, but one is soon convinced that the ‘victorious’ soldiers are seriously demoralised and do not want to fight, are easily induced to profess no great sympathy for the Nazi Government, and obviously have no firm faith in its ultimate victory. They criticise the occupation of Denmark and Norway and also wonder what they are doing in Belgium, ‘which will never become German, anyway. 5 “Though the majority of the soldiers are not really Nazis, it is not safe to conclude that the weariness, disgust and general disapproval of the war are sufficient to produce an open revolt. They are gripped by terror and will never find the strength and willpower themselves to oppose their Nazi leaders.

BELGIAN COURAGE.

“The Belgian people, who believe that they were deieated by treachery, listen in to the 8.8. C., risking a heavy penalty, and everybody passes <m a choice bit of broadcast news as quickly as possible. All listen with delight for the sound of British planes coming to bomb the Germans in their midst, and in spite of being fearful for their own safety take comfort in prayers. “A sample of their feelings was revealed when an unbacked horse named Brittannique won a race near Brussels. The crowd without restraint roared ‘Brittamiique 1 Brittannique!” and (slapped one another’s backs, acting as if they had not merely won money but had received a welcome sign from heaven.”