NOT READY FOR WAR

Opotiki News, Volume I, Issue 33, 13 May 1938, Page 4

NOT READY FOR WAR

CONDITIONS IN GERMANY CONTRAST WITH 19M ANALYSIS OF POSITION LONDON, March 20. Flimsy dependence on foreign foodstuffs, lack of iron and oil, a stronger Russian army, and a weaker morale among the German people. These are given as some reasons why Germany in many respects is less- equipped to face a, world war than she was in, 1914. It is pointed out that Hitler’s technique at present is to secure advantages by brute force without the necessity of using' it.

In view of the dangers attending the present situation the iFfcononiist has made an analysis of the position leading to the above conclusion. >

In 1914, says the paper, Germany was a creditor country, able to increase her imports from neutral countries. ■

To-day her reserves in gold and foreign currencies are not more than 10 per cent', of the 1914 amount.

Therefore, she must rely on herself and not on neutrals for foodstuffs and essential raw materials.

German military experts are gravely perturbed lest- war*'should begin “on bread cards.”

New Russia as Factor.

The general staff is also worried concerning the role Russia will play.

Industrial advance there has been so tremendous that Germany can no longer calculate on leaving her eastern frontier uncovered 1 .

The output of Russian heavy industry is now almost as large as Germany’s. | Russian iron ore production is four times greater. Germany lias little petroleum. Russia is the second, largest producer in the world.

A German expert, Dr. Hauden, contends ..that the motorisation of the Soviet army, lias gone far enough to make it one of the best equipped in the world.

Russia leads the world in aircraft. Moreover /her aircraft plants are out of reach of aerial attack.

On the other hand, the German general staff is aware that the Russian railways are undeveloped. ; - It also hopes that the recent purges have weakened the morale and leadership of the Soviet. Nevertheless, it doubts whether a German drive like that of 1915 is possible. ■, : v

The Reich produces only 7,309,000 ' ton s of iron ore, compared with 28,000,000 tons in 1913. , The German position in other respects is worse than in 1914. Germany’s greatest weakness, however, would be oil supplies , She lias been unable to meet even her peacetime needs of 5,000,000 tons, a year. ■ > The! German expert, Herr Friedensberg, estimates that her war requirements would be 12,650,000 tons. Lack of oil may well prove to be Germany’s Achilles’ heel if Britain and France 1 can keep, command of the seas. .. Man Power and 1 Morale. The general staff also has misgiving regarding the quality of manpower available. General von Metzsqh, in summing up the lessons of' Spain, says:—‘‘lt is waste 'to place complicated modern armaments in the hands of untrained men.

“It will take five years to produce a trained cadre comparable to that of 1914.”

(Some military experts are also allowed to express profound misgivings regarding the psychology-of the. German people.

A German, officer, Karl Pintschovius, in a book favourably reviewed in Germany, says bluntly:

“The fighting spirit of the people lias become the most sensitive spot in our front, thanks to the so-called totalitarian war, which will prove our curse rather than our salvation.” The Economist adds that there are other indications that the army leaders are afraid that Nazi terrorism has weakened the morale of the German people.

Tlis Economist at a later date will analyse how the Austrian coup will strengthen Germany’s position.

It points out that Hitler’s tech r.ique at present is to secure advantages by brute force, without the necessity oft using it.

So far, he has shown consummate ability in making moves at the right time andi in the right order.