GERMANS LOSING HOPE?

Waikato Times, Volume 130, Issue 21690, 28 March 1942, Page 4

GERMANS LOSING HOPE?

Information released in the United States from a secret source in Germany that the Nazis have given up hope of victory “ except by means of a miracle ” is interesting but, for the moment, little more. Credence is evidently attached to the information in Washington, since the statement was made by the Assistant-Secretary of State, but it would be dangerous to imagine that Germany will do otherwise than exert itself to the limit in the offensive for which it is now preparing. Beyond that stage anything may happen. It would not be unreasonable to suppose that if the grand offensive fails, Germany will then have lost all hope of the world conquest which Hitler has dangled before its eyes. According to the statement published in Washington the Germans are working only for the present as though they intend to make only one more bid for victory. It is alleged that plant which might be repaired for production in 1943 is being left unrepaired and that the people are interested only in 1942. This is not the only sign of breaking morale in Germany. It is reported that even at Hitler’s meetings there have been murmurings against war. But there is a vast difference between private grumbling and the breaking down of the German war machine. Hitler in the coming year will make a desperate effort to recover any prestige he may have lost. A renewal of his victorious rampage might bring the doubters flocking back to his banner just as fanatically as. they rallied when he first offered them world conquest. A people that could be led into the world’s most ghastly crime by a leader with Hitler’s reputation must be susceptible to any rashness.