In an interview of several thousand words published by the Manchester, England, Evening News and reprinted in yesterday’s New York American, William Randolph Hearst maintains silence on Hitler’s treatment of the Jews.
The general tone of Hearst’s statement on the subject of Nazi Germany is openly friendly and sympathetic. He expresses the opinion that the rest of the world is mistaken in its belief that the Reich is not truly unified in support of its Fuehrer.
“How long will Hitler last?” the Manchester interviewer asked the American newspaper publisher.
“I think Hitler may very possibly last until the next war,” Hearst replied. “I don’t think that any of the ruling classes will last after the next war.”
HITLER AS MOSES
“We people outside of Germany don’t think that Hitler is really the choice of the German people,” he continued, “but he is actually and overwhelmingly their choice.
“They regard him as a Moses leading them out of their bondage, and their bondage since the war has been utter and bitter.
“We may or may not like Hitler, but if you are in Germany the fact is obvious, indeed unavoidable, that the vast majority of the German people do like him and do support him aggressively and even emotionally.
“He believes that he has the full sanction of the German people for himself and his policies.
ME AND ADOLF
“When I talked with him I said as courteously as possible:
” ‘Mr. Hitler, I must say frankly that I believe in democracy and I don’t approve of dictators, not even of our own “Made in America” kind.’
“He said:
” ‘I too believe in democracy and I abide by the judgment of the German people as expressed in their votes.
” ‘I spread my plan of reconstruction before them and we received their approval at first by a small majority. I was not satisfied with that, but in the second election we received two-thirds majority.
CITES CONSTITUTIONAL MANDATE
” ‘According to the constitution of Weimar, under which we operate, when a man and a party receive a two-thirds vote from the German people it is a mandate from the people to proceed with their proposed program.
” ‘Still I resubmitted myself and my program to the people in a third election and there received more than four-fifths majority in approval.
” ‘I must therefore proceed with my program and I must not allow a small minority to interfere with the expressed will of the vast majority of the German people.’
“That is Mr. Hitler’s idea and interpretation of the situation.
“He considers himself a product of democracy—a democratic dictator.
A HEARSTIAN PARADOX
“Of course with our ideas of democracy in England and America a democratic dictator in autocratic power in a free country is anamalous, as incongruous as a feathered fish on hot ice.
“With us where autocracy begins democracy ends.”
That Hearst’s reticence and friendly attitude toward Hitler are not the product of any unwillingness to give offense to another nation is indicated in other portions of the interview.
For instance, his remarks are somewhat less temperate where Mussolini is concerned. Asked whether Il Duce’s recent outbreak will disturb Europe, he replied:
LESS SPARING WITH IL DUCE
“I don’t think so. He is only talking for effect, if I may say so without offense.
“He is like the gorilla in the forests beating its mighty breast in order to terrify the other animals.”
On the subject of war he expressed himself as follows:
“I don’t think Italy will fight for aggression. I do not think Germany will fight except in defense or desperation. I do not think France is secure enough to fight. I do not think England wants to fight and I know America will not fight in any more European wars.”
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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.
