HITLER’S ACTION IN AUSTRIA

Southland Times, Issue 23512, 19 May 1938, Page 8

HITLER’S ACTION IN AUSTRIA

Attitude Of Germans Described MR EDEN NOT POPULAR IN COUNTRY (Special to The Times) DUNEDIN, May 17. A vivid pen picture of Germany of today, the reception of Herr Hitler’s accomplishment in Austria and the reaction of the German people to the present regime is embodied in a letter received by Mr J. W. Ramsay, of Roslyn, from a friend who is associated with the firm of Blohm and Voss, shipbuilders, of Hamburg. This friend, Herr G. Dressier, points with pride to the fact that “the German is once more lord of his own soil” and his letter is an interesting exposition of the German viewpoint of recent European affairs. “When these lines reach their destination I hope that the world’s indignation and wrath about the last sensational events on this old troublesome continent have eased down a bit and that common sense has taken their place, instead of all this bad language and insults,” Herr Dressier writes. “What has happened during the last fortnight is not sensational. It is history. Adolf Hitler was expected on Saturday, March 12, in Hamburg to attend the launching of one of the big workmen’s tourist ships. But that morning brought news that he was on his way. to Austria with a flying squad and military forces to prevent a revolution and bloodshed. We did not hear much during that day or on the Sunday, but on Monday morning we were all surprised by the established fact of the reunion of Austria to the Reich. You cannot comprehend the rejoicing and joy that went through all Germans. Our political and economic situation was altered in a moment from a poor to a dominant standard. IMPROVING RELATIONS “Since the advent of a new man at the wheel in England the strained relations between our two coimtries seem to improve. The day may be far distant yet when these two. great nations will shake hands, but this day will come, because it must come. Blood is thicker than water. I myself have been too often in your country and I will never forget all the hospitality, friendship and information I received from your people. You have been many times in our country and have met our people. Did you ever experience a single case of hatred of' England or hear of the bad conduct of one of our men against an Englishman? “Your admiration for Mr Eden no German will share, because in our opinion he is responsible for all this ill-feeling. A man who dines with Stalin and afterwards conducts with Leon Blum Moscow-business in Spain cannot be much to our taste. The Spanish butchery engineered by Moscow with the powerful help of France and the toleration of the other European Powers is more than a scandal. Franco will ultimately succeed in his war of liberation. He has, of course, our full sympathy. Spain is entitled to a lot of gratitude from our country, because it kept strict neutrality during the Great War and still more for the generous shelter it gave to our countrymen when they were chased all over the. world. 1 think Germany and Italy will never permit a Moscow settlement in Spain.