Defeatism Not Detected Yet In Axis Countries

Northern Advocate, 29 June 1943, Page 3

Defeatism Not Detected Yet In Axis Countries

(Rec. 11.30 a.m.) LONDON, June 28. The strong tendency to interpret fears and warnings in Axis countries as defeatism is deprecated by most competent observers in London. Propaganda and comment from Berlin and Rome are too often depicted as expressing hopelessness. Instead, ali the power of Axis press and radio is being marshalled to screw up Germans, Italians and satellites to a supreme effort of defence. Observers believe that only when the propagandist nerve, vyhich has been in full blast since the fall of Tunisia, gives way to a clash of arms on the Continent will the time come for the Allies to appraise the condition of Axis peoples. The Russians have no illusions. They appreciate all favourable aspects of the present situation, but realistically assess dangers and difficulties. “Red Star” says: “The last glimmer of hope for Axis victory has faded, but there remains the desperate stubbornness and madness of a wounded beast. The road to victory leads through many grim trials.” London observers say that most exaggeration comes from correspondents in neutral capitals whose interpretations of heavily censored despatches from inside Germany and Italy are valuable in many respects but invariably err on the side of painting the Axis picture in colours darker than warranted. Even in the battle of the Ruhr which at present is the only actual blow being delivered against German soil, emphasis is too readily placed on damage the R.A.F. is inflicting which is undoubtedly devastating, but the terrific German defence effort continues as an example of what the Germans can do and are doing to hold off their attackers. For confidence in Allied victory it is enough to know that the United Nations have now raised a far greater machine for world war than the Germans. Many big blows are still needed, however, to break the spirit of resistance of the Axis, let alone their means of resistance. A Gloomy Outlook The most recent issue of Munich newspaper “Schwarzekorps,” abounds in articles showing how nerve war is reacting within Germany. It states that there is: (1) A defeatist atmosphere. (2) Despair and discontent owing to the continuity and severity of Allied air-raids. (3) Distrust of Germany’s financial stability and fear that savings will be expropriated. Those mostly fearing a financial crash are front-line soldiers’ wives who ought to be gbod judges of Germany’s military chances. The paper also discloses that officials are alarmed because the public is squandering money instead of saving. A sergeant writing from the front, mentions widespread rumours among comrades that the State will confiscate savings bank assets. A financial expert, in a letter to the editor, blames the same fear of confiscation for “the claustrophobia of the small saver,” and claims that factory managers and businessmen, who should have a better insight into conditions and a more political sense, are obsessed with the same bogey. The paper states that fear of confiscation is so strong that people are spending recklessly, and instance that children’s toy trays, made of paper mesh and four thin strips of wood, are now selling at 3/G instead of fourpence.

Goebbels’ main task at 'an International Press convention at Vienna appears to be co-ordination of a comprehensive attempt to mobilise sympathy for Germany and secondarily for Italy, as victims of Anglo-Ameri-can “terror raids.” All proceedings and speeches have so far been de< voted to that end, says “The Times’ Stockholm correspondent. The slogan, “Save Europe’s Culture,” has' been launched throughout the Axis-con-trolled Press.

Berlin radio says it is reported from Rome that Senator Caselli proposed as a moral reprisal for “terrible bombardment” of Italian cities, that all members of enemy nations be forbidden to enter Italy for 100 years after the war.

German newspapers threatening reprisals for the British and American air onslaughts on Germany comment that penetrating methods of technical warfare which Germany intends to use against Britain are now stored until the time comes to use them in a concentrated effort causing terror and destruction.