A HOPELESS CASE?

Waikato Independent, Volume XL, Issue 3765, 2 October 1940, Page 3

A HOPELESS CASE ?

FUTURE OF GERMANY ARMY MAY BREAK WITH HITLER The right answer to the question propounded by the title of a book recently published in England, “Is Germany a Hopeless Case?” by Rudolf Olden, is of primary importance to the world. Rudolf Olden, formerly editor of the Berliner Tageblatt, here suggests ; in 200 pages of German „ history—rather simplified—that the German can change his spots, that Germany’s evolution like that of other countries is the result of a variety of economic and other factors, that its evolution is as yet incomplete, and that it is not inevitable that the tragic direction of the past half-century should continue. Dr Olden sees 'German history since the end of the eighteenth century dominated by two traditions, the military non-nationalist tradition of Frederick the Great, and the literary tradition of Goethe and Schiller, cosmopolitan and nonpolitical. United first against Napoleon, the real creator of German nationalism, these two traditions diverged before the revolution of 1848 into a struggle of liberalism and humanism against militarism

and autocracy. The latter won. Following on this came the era of Bismarck, who partially satisfied the Liberals by the unification of Germany, and the militarists by the increase of their power. But this was a reconciliation dearly bought at the sacrifice of democracy.

Looking at German history since 1918, Dr Olden maintains that President Ebert’s acceptance of support from the old German army, instead of breaking it down and creating instead a military force based upon another tradition, enabled that army to become real master of postwar Germany. In his view Stressemann might have saved the situation—had more support for the newer social forces in Germany and Central Europe been forthcoming from the Western Powers—but with his passing came the end of the Weimar Republic. The army has been the decisive factor since 1918, whether under Bruening, Schleicher, von Papen, or Hitler, and the author believes that some day the army chiefs may become disillusioned and break witli their present Fuhrer. HEED THESE WARNINGS! A shiver—a sneeze—a tickling throat—signs of a cold. Fight serious development by taking Baxters Lung Preserver promptly. Don’t waste valuable time experimenting —get busy with “Baxters” right away. “Baxters” beats colds, and benefits with its tonic properties.