THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES TUESDAY, JUNE 27, 1953. GERMANY AND THE NAZIS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21990, 27 June 1933, Page 6

THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES TUESDAY, JUNE 27, 1953. GERMANY AND THE NAZIS

The statement by the Berlin correspondent of a London journal that the Nazi revolution 'is far from finished appears to find corroboration in the running chronicle of happenings in Germany. The prediction by Herr Goebels of new upheavals on a scale calculated to make everything else appear but a mere prelude, may be just a piece of ill-considered bombast. But it is very clear from the cable messages that Herr Hitler is still in the throes of consolidating his position, by the rough and ready process of using force against his opponents and putting them out of the reckoning. Almost every day brings its account of some fresh act of suppression. The ; adding of Boy Scouts to the ever increasing list of proscribed organisations is a mere trifle. Germany's youth, claims the Dictator, belongs exclusively to the Nazis. In short, the forcible Nazification of Germany is, to all appearances,, proceeding at a feverish pace. This affords a great deal of scope for speculation as to what the proclamations of the Government, which at every turn reflect Herr Hitler's declaration that freedom is a mere fantasy, may augur for the future of the German people. It is evident, of course, that the Nazis are framing their domestic policy to a large extent on the Fascist model. The crudity, and overbearing' truculence of their methods in seeking to make all Germans subscribe to the particular brand of nationalism which they so aggressively proclaim spell dominance through the inculcation of fear. Wholesale suppressions are, none the less, not the best of foundations upon which to build a new regime. After a life of nearly eleven years Fascism in Italy appears to be so well established that it has ceased to be any novelty. But the doctrine of the subordination of the individual to the good of the State, as it is conceived by certain self-appointed leaders, and as proclaimed and practised in Italy, being utterly at variance with twentieth century conceptions of democracy's progress, has still to be submitted to the test of time, and, it may be suggested, of other leadership than that of Signor Mussolini.

In Germany Hitlerism stands, of course, as the declared enemy of Socialism, and the measures taken against "all adherents to Socialistic doctrines, including members of the Reichstag, have been typically drastic. It yet remains to be seen, ..however, whether the repressive machinery upon which the Nazis rely so much can be made to work as effectively as that of Fascism in Italy. In an article in one of the latest reviews Mr G. D. H. Cole, of Oxford University, a prolific writer on social and economic questions, expresses the opinion that it may legitimately be doubted whether Italian Fascism and German Nazism have in them any of the elements of permanence. " Built up essentially," he observes, " on a reaction against adversity, and on an appeal to the violent passions aroused by defeat and distress, they appear to possess no constructive policy capable of solving the economic problems of the coming generation. Denying class antagonisms and endeavouring to substitute for them the appeal to nationalist passions, they threaten Europe with a renewed war which, if it comes, js likely to bring the whole structure of European capitalism down in utter collapse, and to bury . Fascism and Nazism in the ruins." The envisagement of possibilities of such a chaotic character is certainly not comforting. But fortunately there is some room for future developments to follow other lines. Nazi propaganda throughout Germany has been extraordinarily thorough and successful, and has contributed largely to the spectacular victory that has been secured. But the bludgeoning process leaves wounds that are not readily forgotten, and the dramatic appeal of Hitlerism cannot be always in the ascendant. War may not be required to demonstrate that Nazism does not contain the elements

of permanence, or, for that matter, that Fascism Is otherwise unshakeable.