VISITORS' IMPRESSIONS

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 149, 27 June 1933, Page 8

VISITORS' IMPRESSIONS

POSITION IN GEEMANY

(By Telegraph.) (Special to the "Evening Post.") AUCKLAND, June 26. Impressions of Germany under Nazi rule were given by Mr. A. W. Bryant, of Hamilton, who returned by the Niagara after an absence of two years in Europe. Mr. Bryant is a nephew of Mr. D. V, Bryant, of Hamilton, and has been completing his musical studies abroad, principally at Leipzig. "It is impossible to understand the progress of Hitler without understanding the German mentality," Mr. Bryant said. "Most people picture the German as a stolid, direct, and somewhat unimaginative individual. Actually he is imaginative to a degree, and ho is only stolid and direct when he has something on wh^ch to focus his attention. •'After the war Germany had hardly any national life for use as a focal point," continued Mr. Bryant. "She was at the mercy of the depression j perhaps more than any other country. As a result Communism-, made rapid headway among the people, who are generally strongly nationalistic. STRONG MAN NECESSARY. "It js impossible to say whether tho Nazi regime will succeed or not, but conditions were such that it was imperative that one man, or one strong party, should be given an opportunity of controlling the dangerous situation. However, oven in Germany there,is antagonism to Hitler's persecution of the Jews. Many people consider it the most colossal political blunder of all time, holding that no nation today can afford to alienate the sympathy of its Jewish communities. "I do not know what the political outcome may be," said Mr. Bryant, "but-it is certain that the persecution of the Jews will seriously interfere with the cultural and artistic life of Germany.' Particularly is this so in the world of music. Bruno Walter, one of the greatest musicians and orchestral conductors in the world, was politically dismissed just as his Leipzig season was nearing its close. Gustav Brecher, another great musician and director of tho Leipzig opera, was told to leave in the middle of the famous Wagner season. After his dismissal Bruno Walter received an engagement to conduct 50 concerts in.the United states, in addition to seasons in London and Paris. Germany alone will suffer from her anti-Jewish edicts." Nevertheless, concluded Mr. Bryant, there was still a strong pro-British sentiment among the mass of the German people. They regarded Great Britain as their most dependable friend.