GERMANY FROM WITHIN

Evening Star, Issue 23375, 19 September 1939, Page 8

GERMANY FROM WITHIN

REAL ATTITUDE OF THE PEOPLE REGARD FDR BRITAIN—HATRED OF RUSSIA NEW ZEALANDER'S INTERESTING COMMENT Mr H. Turner, London manager of the New Zealand Fruit Board, who is in Dunedin on one of his periodical visits, related to a * Star ’ reporter this morning some very interesting sidelights on the international situation, particularly in regard to the attitude of the German people themselves. Mr Turner has visited Gerniany on business several times a year since 1932, and was in Berlin a week, before sailing for New Zealand. During that period he ■ had perhaps come more closely in touch with what may correspond to our “ man in the street ” than the casual visitor on pleasure bent may do in a rathe* hurried tour. Ho had also visited mostly all other Continental countries during this period, and without hesitation places the German people first in his appreciation. In the business world he found absolute integrity, and in private life they were kindly, hospitable, and more like our own. people than any other race, not even, excepting the Americans. TREATMENT OF JEWS. The brutal ill-treatment of the Jewish people, especially in November last, lias been abhorrent to the bulk of decent Germans, and some day this dastardly crime will have its repercussions. “ Much has been written about happenings in this progrom,” said Mr Turner, “ and while allowance must be made for the exaggeration inseparable from such ,stories, 1 have had personal touch with sufficient instances to know that the November happenings, especially in Berlin and Vienna, were such as to meet with the disapproval of good German citizens. There is reason to believe that the leading spirits were Goebbels and Streicher, but while Hitler and Goering may not have approved, they did not seem to hurry about Calling a halt. The German people are closer akin to us than any other race, and it has been drummed into me year after year that we should never be on opposite sides. This feeling was becoming strongly reciprocated in Great Britain, and there is little doubt that had Hitler confined himself to plans for the peaceful economic rehabilitation of Germany this objective would ultimately have been attained while finally cementing the bonds of friendship between the nations. Results have shown that whereas Hitler placed the country first ho now places himself in the fore as a demi-god, and, drunk with power, is prepared to give Europe the blood-bath which has been spoken of.” WANTON DESTRUCTION.

In Berlin many historic buildings and monuments have been destroyed . to make way for Hitler’s . grandiose schemes and further elimination of blocks of splendid buildings adjoining the Tiergarten, were under way at the time of Mr Turner’s visit. Bpth sides of the Bellevue Strasse leading to the Pottsdammer PJatz, and including the very fine Hotel Promenade, were to be eliminated. Already the beautiful Seager Alle had been denuded of the impressive rows of statues of former German rulers and statesmen, arid the victory column removed from its position overlooking the Reichstag. This latter edifice has been left untouched since the fire, and is surrounded by heaps of rubbish and looks quite derelict. The objective of the Fuhrer seems to be to eliminate any trace which will remind the German people that anyone but Hitler ever did anything, for Germany. The beautiful trees which made the beauty of the Unter den Linden have been removed, but it is said that the roots were interfering with certain underground services. At any rate, it has cleared the view for these T wonderful pageants for which the Nazi regime has a mania, and the street is flanked on each side with massive columns about 40ft high and surmounted with the German eagle, from which coloured lights and bunting mayi be suspended on the slightest provocation, employing a small army of men in the process. A wonderful new highway has been driven through the Tiergarten from the Brandcuberg Tor, said Mr Turner, and is of vast assistance for ceremonial purposes, but it necessitated the destruction of hundreds of the beautiful trees which were such an attractive feature here. GOERING’S HOBBIES. Vast sums have been spent at the Templehof aerodrome in putting the hangars underground and erecting barracks for the soldiers. The Air Ministry building, which has figured in the news as having been bombed, covers an enormous area adjoining the Wilhelmstrasse, and the roof space is said to be capable of making a landing ground for a plane. This, of course, is Goering’s pet hobby, when he is not thinking up a new uniform or fresh decorations, which are the subject of many jokes at his expense by the German people. CLEARING THE VIEW. “At the time of my last visit.” Mr Turner said, “ it was reported that Hitter was not pleased with the view from his' new Chancellory, built at enormous cost, and he had ordered the demolition of a huge block of modern warehouses which came in the line of vision. The reputed wealth of the Nazi leaders, either in cash or other possessions, and the extravagant expenditure on the reconstructions of towns and edifices all over the country, while there is a shortage of essential foodstuffs, was the subject of much bitter criticism on the quiet, because, of course, outspoken criticism brings the reward of seclusion in a concentration camp.” HATRED OF RUSSIA.

Mr Turner added that it was not difficult to understand the astonishment of the population at the German-Soviet pact, as hatred of Russia had been persistently instilled into young and old by intensive propaganda. On the other hand, it is quite certain that there will be no diminution in the distrust between the two nations, and this may be the Allies’ safeguard against any deep participation in the conflict. “ Having a closeup understanding of the contempt of tne Uermun for the Italian and the dislike of the latter for the former.” said Mr Turner. ‘‘l am inclined to be optimistic as to the likelihood of Italy keeping out of it or eventually coming in on our side, but in these days, when national honour seems to be a matter of convenience only, when promises and legal undertakings may be kept or broken at will, anything may happen.” “ At the moment the position is not bright,” he continued. “ but We should not be pessimistic, and cannot .do better than adopt the calm but determined attitude which is characteristic of the entire population of Great Britain, where the determination to face sacrifices and win through in the end is on a scale never known before.”-