PRUSSIAN AND NAZI

Wairarapa Times-Age, 27 December 1939, Page 9

PRUSSIAN AND NAZI

GERMAN ANTI-MORAL TRADITION

Observe the continuity of the antimoral tradition in Germany, says Mr J. B. Firth, writing in the "Daily Telegraph." Frederick the Great wrote in . the "Political Testament" which he designed, in imitation of the Testament of Augustus, for the guidance of his successors on the throne: "The great thng is to conceal one's designs and to cover up one’s character. Machiavelli says that a disinterested Power, situated amid ambitious Powers, cannot avoid ultimate destruction. I hate to admit this, but I am obliged to confess that Machiavelli is right." Noto how faithfully his diabolical counsel to his heirs that they should "cover up their characters’ has been evploited by the Fuehrer. It may be paraphrased thus: "Turn a false face to the world! Proclaim your devotion to peace, although you spend your nights and days in plotting war and the discomfiture of other States. Proclaim that your territorial ambitions are satisfied", while you are already surveying the ground for your next victory. Pledge eternal friendship with one hand while you feel for your gun with the other. Say that you recognise and respect your neighbour's independence and foment armed insurrection within his borders! Send him von Papen as a special envoy, and when the time is ripe, invite your ‘murdered man’ to cclne and talk over outstanding differences, crowd the room with truculent generals, deafen your guest with your screaming invective, produce your ultimatum for his immediate signature. and follow up his retreating motor-car with tanks and an army of invasion.” That is the way that the Fuehrer has profited by Frederick’s counsel. Treaties, pacts, conventions have been not only emptied of their sanctity but voided of their content.