GERMAN PEOPLE SURPRISED

Southland Times, Issue 24546, 22 September 1941, Page 5

GERMAN PEOPLE SURPRISED

Invasion Of Russia NEW YORK, September 18. Tire German invasion of Russia came as a bigger sensation to the people of Germany than the outbreak of war in 1939. The German people neither conprehend the aim of the Nazis in Russia nor the exact character of the military plans against Russia. The German people are asking more and more frequently what is the purpose of war on Russia. These and other impressions were given frankly by a German with American business connections who left Germany in August to live permanently in the United States.

The first question put to him was: “What is the morale of the German people?” He replied: “That is an extremely difficult question to answer. Nazi Party officials and those who profit by the regime seem confident of victory.

The public does not express itself very often on the question of defeat. A small number, but a growing group, of people fears that Germany’s defeat will be more decisive and the after-effects more far-reaching than in the last war.” The second question was: “Have the Germans any fear of losing the war by military defeat within, say, the next two years?” He replied: “Definitely, no. The Germans, including myself, do not see how a sufficiently large expeditionary force can ever be landed by Britain and the United States on the Continent to defeat the German Army.” A third question was then put: “Do you think the Germans can ever be defeated?” His answer was: “Yes, certainly. Germany will be defeated as in the last war by thte British blockade, which is producing a steady pressure and the requisite undermining of German strength. There is a general feeling that, after Christmas, there will be an extreme food shortage. Nor do the Germans feel that further conquests will augment supplies to the point where Germany can hold the Continent or continents against world opposition. The blockade is Britain’s major weapon which will give ultimate and complete victory.”