Chancellor Konrad Adenauer today received Irving M. Engel, honorary president of the American Jewish Committee, and discussed with him questions concerning the education of German youth in a way as to imbue them with democratic principles to counteract neo-Nazi propaganda.
Dr. Adenauer told Mr. Engel that “much more remains to be done in educating Germans in democratic principles.” He predicted this will be accomplished quickly now that the country has achieved a large measure of economic well-being.
“Until recently,” the Chancellor said, “the German people had to concern themselves primarily with reconstruction but now that there has been such material advancement, I believe they will turn more to matters of culture and education.” Mr. Engel was accompanied by Zachariah Shuster, European director of the American Jewish Committee.
The meeting coincided with the release of a West German nationwide poll indicating that West German youth was still influenced to a considerable degree by Nazi ideology. The poll was conducted among West German youth in the 18 to 29 year age range by the German Institute of Social Research.
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