BEHIND HITLER

Waikato Times, Volume 126, Issue 21043, 21 February 1940, Page 9

BEHIND HITLER

GERMAN PEOPLE NEW ZEALANDER’S VIEWS CONDITIONS BEFORE THE WAR The impression that in August of last year, just prior to the outbreak of war, the mass of the people in Germany were wholeheartedly behind Adolf Hitler and that they believed he was sincere in his aims and claims, was gained by the Rev. B. M. Tasker, of the Methodist Central Mission, Dunedin, who recently returned from an extensive tour of the world. In July and August Mr Tasker undertook a cycling tour of the Continent and was in Germany until August 22, a few days before the German army marched against Poland. When interviewed in Hamilton today Mr Tasker stated that although there were no material signs of mobilisation while he was in Germany, there was a general air of expectancy and in their speech the people seemed to regard the outbreak of war as inevitable. At the same time they regretted that, while the British and German peoples were so friendly in many respects, they should be divided politically. Among the people to whom Mr Tasker spoke there seemed to be no hatred against the British. The Germans felt that as the two races were the more cultured peoples of Europe they should have more in common. Leaders’ Hatred “Of course, conversation such as this is indicative of the feeling of only a section of the people, but even the masses seemed to want to be friendly with England,” said Mr Tasker. “The hatred expressed by the German leaders did not seem to be shared by the masses. None that I spoke to wanted war with England, although they felt their cause was a just one and that Germany desired only two things. One was to have the German people under one Government, and the other was the return of the colonies. They had been taught that some of the German minorities were created by the Versailles Treaty, and thought it right that Germany should endeavour to free her minorities. “They stated that the chief aim of Hitler was to regain the lost colonies. They also remarked that while Germany had a population of over 60,000,000 she had very little in the way of colonies, but Britain, with a population of about 40,000,000, had colonies over a quarter of the surface of the globe. They were convinced that Hitler was absolutely sincere when he said that all he wanted was the liberation of the German minorities and the restoration of the colonies forfeited as a result of the Great War.” “Little Justification Continuing, Mr Tasker said that when questioned on their right to the restoration of the colonies, the German people could produce very little real justification, but still argued that the fact remained that Britain was richly endowed with raw materials while Germany lacked resources. They considered that it was only fair that Germany should have her share of the earth’s wealth. They did not seem as concerned with the past as with the present. “I asked several people what they would do if it became evident that Hitler and the other German leaders were fighting an agressive war to gain territory which rightly belonged to other people, and if they would support Hitler in such an action,” said the speaker. “Their reply was that it had to be remembered that the German State was differently constituted from the English form of Government, and they felt they were in honour bound to stand behind their leaders. Germany’s place in the world depended n real national unity. They wera prepared to support their leaders even in measures which they personally did not regard as warranted. Worried Faces “While I was there the Danzig question was reaching a critical stage. Day by day the people could be seen crowding round the public notice boards. Among them there was a sense of fear that war was becoming very near, and as they read the news their faces were worried and concerned.” In conclusion, Mr Tasker stated that the people in Germany seemed to be very satisfied with internal conditions, and did not appear to lack any of the essentials of life. They gave*, every appearance of being happy, well-fed and well clothed. The traveller also found that they were more ready to talk politics than had been expected. Mr Tasker did not meet with any serious restrictions, being allowed to take photographs in all parts of the country and of practically everything he desired.