UNDER NAZI RULE

Hokitika Guardian, 28 June 1933, Page 6

UNDER NAZI RULE

POSITION IN GERMANY.

VISITOR’S IMPRESSIONS,

AUCKLAND, June 26.

■ Impressions of Germany under Na/J rule were given by 'Mr A. W. Bryant, of OJ-knnjif ton, i/ho returned ,by the Niagara «fte r an absence of two years in Europe. Mr Bryant lis 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 Herr Ajlolf Hitler without undenstanddug 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 lie is only stolid and direct when he has something on which to focus his attention. If his attention is distracted, he can swing from one extreme to another with -amazing rapidity. Alter the war Germany had hardly any Rational life for use as a focal point. She wa s at the mercy of the depression perhaps more than any other country. As a result, Communism made rapid headway among the people who- are generalv strongly nationalistic:

MANY ELECTIONS. “I was in Germany throughout 1532, and until March of this year, and while I was there it was just a' question of one election following another. The country was terribly 'unsettled, arid civil war was expected almost daily* A statement was even issued that the British Ambassador would warn British* subject to leave the country if the situation became dangerous. Eventually Hitler succeeded in establishing -himself as dictator fol* five years. It is impossible to «ay whether the Nazi regime will eucceed or not; but conditions were such that jt was imperative - ' that one man or one strong party should be given an opportunity of controlling ,a. dangerous situation. Hitler i has taken strong measures, and has adopted what appears to be an intensely nationalistic policy. “However, even in Germany there is antagonism to'his persecution of tfi* Jews. Many people consider it the roost colossal political blunder of . time, holding that no nation to-day can,, afford to alienate the sympathy of its' Jewish communities. 1 do -Rot know what the political outcome may be ; 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 and orchestral conductors in the world, was politically dismissed just as his Leipzig season was nearjng its close. Gustav Brecher. another greet musician > and director of the Leipzig Opera, was told to leave in the middle of a famous Wagner 'season. The same action wa s taken with regard to other notable Jews holding, leading positions in various arts and sciences.

. NAZI AGGRESSIVENESS. “Many of' them will hot necessarily suffer. Immediately after bis dismissal, Bruno. Walter -received an engage* rnent to conduct 50, concerts in,, thq United'. States, inaddition- to season* in London and Paris.' Germany albne will suffer .from her anti-Jewish edicts.’' Mr Bryant added that the aggressiveness of the Nazis was not directed solely against the Jews. In Leipzig he had stayed with a man who was mayor of one of- the suburban distr.pds. He .was neither a, .lew nor a Communist; but he had been summarily dismissed from office because- he. was not a strong Nazi supporter. . Nevertheless there w»s‘ still a '.strong pro-British seAtiment. among the mass of the German people They regarded Great Britain as their most dependable friend. ■■ Mr Bryant . studied the pianoforte and orchestral conducting during his trip and gave a. successful concert, at Leipzig. Ho may shortly visit. Australia to give a series of radio broadcast recitals for the Australian Broadcasting Commission.