GERMAN OPINION OF CRISIS

Southland Times, Issue 23649, 26 October 1938, Page 5

GERMAN OPINION OF CRISIS

Hitler’s Popularity Not Increased?

NAZI DIPLOMACY AS BELT-TIGHTENER PROBLEM OF EXISTENCE ON HOME FRONT (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright) (Received October 25, 8.5 p.m.) LONDON, October 25. The bulk of the German people is not impressed by Herr Hitler’s latest coup; it is more concerned about the shortage of butter, the lack of eggs, low wages and high prices, says the Berlin correspondent of the News Chronicle. The Nazis complain of lack of gratitude and assert that non-Nazis have not responded to Herr Hitler’s triumph, but the fact is that repugnance of war is as pronounced in Germany as elsewhere in Europe. Months must pass before the mass of Germans forgives Herr Hitler for bringing his people to the brink of war over a mere question of procedure. Herr Hitler’s coup has not increased his popularity. The Germans today are preoccupied not with expanding their frontiers but with the problem of existence.

The correspondent adds: “I asked a large employer if he thought the workers would return to the pre-Nazi conditions of political and social freedom if they were given the choice. He replied: ‘I think 50 per cent, of my own people would say yes, 25 per cent, would be uncertain and the remainder, remembering the former unemployment, would prefer the present conditior

“I fancy that a poll of the whole German people would give a similar result. National-Socialism has not yet taken ”oot throughout Germany.”