The Nazi party is the very essence of the German state and the young German soldier must be prepared “to protect the nation from the hatred and envy of its neighbors,” the soldiers of the Reichswehr are informed in the new “Handbook for the Self-Education of Young Soldiers.”
The young Reichswehr recruits are also informed that the Fatherland is threatened on all sides by enemies; that he must place the state above all parties, and that Germany is rapidly triumphing over the machinations of Marxists, foreigners and Jews. According to the book Germany is the real defender of peace in Europe.
“Although the German revival was carried out with such discipline as has never before existed in the history of revolutions,” says the author of the book, “foreign Marxists began a world campaign of agitation against the new Germany throughout the world.
“An attempt was made to carry out a general boycott of German goods in foreign lands. The counter-demonstration of the National Socialist party, however, and its boycott of Jewish shops, combined with untiring propaganda regarding the true character of Nazi Germany, gradually brought about a different atmosphere in the world.
“The atrocity campaign increased the tension existing in foreign relations. The enemy tried to elude the obligation to disarm by claiming that National Socialism meant war. The sabotage of the Disarmament Conference by France and her allies was met by the leader, Adolf Hitler, in a great declaration, in which he solemnly announced his adherence to a policy of peace.
“The agreement with Poland once again showed the earnest will of the Leader to cooperate with Germany’s neighbors for the welfare of Germany and the whole world.
“But while the German people and its leader wish for nothing more than peaceful reconstruction of Germany, her enemies in the world war endeavor to take away the promise of equality which had already been given. Unheard of preparations were put forward in order to perpetuate for our nation the status of a second-class power.
“In order to save Germany’s honor, and the true peace of the world, Germany, to the consternation of the remaining members, immediately declared that she would leave the Disarmament Conference and the League of Nations.
“A few months later a second blow was delivered. Poland shook off her ties to France and concluded a treaty of peace with the new Germany. An iron ring which years of work had constructed round Germany had begun to split.”
In another book, “Service Instruction for the Reich Army,” which has just been reissued for the use of the troops, the Reichswehr man is warned against attempts by Communists to sow indiscipline.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
