GERMANY’S INTERNAL WEAKNESS

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20916, 22 September 1939, Page 6

GERMANY’S INTERNAL WEAKNESS

Rumblings of revolt in Germany, and more particularly in the recently acquired territory of Austria and Czechoslovakia, can no longer be suppressed from the outside world even by the most rigid censorship. The latest well-authenticated reports indicate that serious disturbances have occurred in Czechoslovakia and that the most brutal methods have been employed to stamp them out. But the Nazis are facing a tremendous task. They may crush individual outbreaks indefinitely, but such suppression will only increase the pressure of the rising tide of revolt against a ruthless dictatorship. It has been evident since the absorption of Austria and Czechoslovakia that although Germany had made temporary gains in access to war materials and foodstuffs, she had also accepted heavy liabilities which would show their full weight when Germany went to war. It was unreasonable to expect millions of Austrians and Czechs who hated the Nazis to settle down as an integral part of Germany, ready to defend the regime against the democracies. Germany is ruling these millions with an iron hand and will continue to attempt to terrorise them into obedience, but Nazism is not made of the right stuff to conquer the spirit of revolt or encourage willing co-operation. Dr. Benes’ appeals to his people to throw off the German yoke are not likely to be wholly in vain. Whenever the demands of war compel the slackening of the German guard over the Czech people, Germany can expect serious trouble. Although suen reports must be accepted with reserve, the secret radio station operated by the illegal German Freedom organisation affirms that Dr. Goebbels, Nazi Minister of Propaganda, has been arrested at the instigation of Field-Marshal Goering for reasons not disclosed. It is true that the outside world has heard nothing of Dr. Goebbels in recent days, and it is known that fierce enmity has long existed between Goering and Goebbels. This is not the only indication of dissension among high Nazi officials. Reports of internal troubles in Germany perhaps throw some light on Britain’s policy of persisting with propaganda raids over German territory.