FIRE UNDERGROUND

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 76, 5 August 1941, Page 4

FIRE UNDERGROUND

REPORTS of unrest in nearly all the German-occupied territories persist. It appears most pronounced in Norway. This welling lip of feeling among the oppressed has been very noticeable since Hitler attacked Russia. Although many of the people under the Nazi heel arc cut off from trustworthy sources of news they have probably learned enough to know that Hitler’s latest aggression is not going too well. Having sensed that a curb is being put on his ambitions the people suffering under his tyranny glimpse a chance of being able to throw off the yoke. Though that time is not yet, hope springs eternal in the hearts of millions of patriots who are not too cowed or hungry to be able to lift their eyes towards the future. Moreover, anti-Nazi propaganda is filtering through to these countries and is beginning to measure strides with the best Goebbels can manufacture. The extended services of the 8.8. C. in many languages now talk the clock round and are available at some hour of the twenty-four to the people of most nations who can get within range of a wireless j set. But the inspiration of these un- ] derground rebellions is not all coming from the outside. The worst j that Hitler has been able to do has . not succeeded in killing the unquenchable spirit of some of those European peoples in whose history persecution has held sway before ; this, only to be beaten in the end.

The more the unrest shows itself in the temporary dominions of Hitler the more will it play on his jangled nerves. Also more and more Nazi manpower will it need to maintain order over this wide stretch of conquered Europe. Winter is not very far off and there will be millions of hungry mouths in Europe this winter. Hungry men are angry men. The Gestapo and the garrisons can be expected to vent Nazi savagery on the intransigent so long as they are able, but underground revolt is like underground fire: it burns with a consuming flame even though onlyoccasional wisps of smoke can be seen on the surface.