Henry A. Atkinson, general secretary of the Church Peace Union, attended the executive meeting of this world-wide organization in Berlin in the middle of February, and he has returned with information that throws new light on the German chaos. Dr. Atkinson speaks about National Socialism with scholarly detachment. Since his special field is the peace work of the churches, his views on the German clergy are of particular interest.
“When I was in Berlin,” he said, “the majority of the German Protestant clergy subscribed to the tenets of the Nationalist Party of Dr. Alfred Hugenberg, although not a few ministers belonged to the Social Democratic Party. The Catholic clergy was solidily behind the Centrist Party. The majority, both among Protestants and Catholics, was against Hitler and it was predicted that he would last only a few months. The Conservatives seemed to be convinced that the Nazi interregnum would soon give way to the rule of Dr. Hugenberg, whom they considered the power behind the throne.
HITLER “UNIMPRESSIVE”
“While I did not speak to Hitler, I saw him at a parade in the company of Fieldmarshal von Hindenburg and of Dr. Hugenberg. He looked unimpressive in the company of the two men who are giants in their fields.”
After the Nazis’ coming to power, Dr. Atkinson saw great excitement and the signs of nationalistic exaltation in the streets of Berlin, Munich and Dresden, but naturally did not see any Jew beaten on any of the main highways he frequented.
Hitler is giving his admirers plenty of circus, according to Dr. Atkinso, and promises them also bread. He has thrown the Jews in front of the hungry lions, while the audience is applauding madly.
“Even the Women’s Auxiliary of the Nazis,” Dr. Atkinson said, “is passing resolutions to the effect that the Jews conspired with Germany’s enemies to impose the Treaty of Versailles on the Reich.”
THE JEW AS SCAPEGOAT
The Jewish question, according to him, is linked up with the shame of Versailles. The Jew must be killed for it—figuratively speaking. If he escapes, he must be killed for being a Socialist, or if he is not a Socialist, then he must be killed for being a capitalist.
Dr. Atkinson does not think that the number of physical atrocities against the Jews could have been very large. The worst atrocities are those which victimize the Jew economically. In small towns Nazis are canvassing the Gentiles, warning them to shun the Jews if they do not want to be placed beyond the pale.
Dr. Atkinson thinks that Clemenceau bears greater responsibility for Hitlerism than Hitler himself. Hitler took advantage of the Messianic expectation of the Germans, chafing under the humiliation of Versailles. They had accepted Wilson as their prophet and were forsaken by the proclaimer of the fourteen points. Then came Hitler, who promised the Germans to enforce the Wilsonian creed, so far as it affected the plight of the Reich.
Has Dr. Atkinson brought with him the impression that the Germans are preparing for a new war?
SHE KNOWS WHAT SHE WANTS
“The Germans are determined to get back everything they have lost by peaceful means, if they can, or by force, if it cannot be done otherwise. The Reich is now animated by a new determination to see things through in an aggressively nationalistic way. Before the Nazis’ coming Germany did not know where she stood, and she was undecided whether to be courageous or submissive. While the crowds I saw did not impress me as particularly warlike, they did seem to me like excellent material for being moulded into any shape. Although Germany’s problems could be solved, I am apprehensive that neither the Reich nor its neighbors are just now in a frame of mind to adjust their difficulties in a peaceful way.”
Even though Dr. Atkinson was not impressed by Hitler’s personality, he gives him credit for his ability to handle crowds. He knows how to flatter the man in the street and how to keep himself in the public eye. Germany’s drummer-up of racial passions reminded him in this respect of New York’s erstwhile playboy, Jimmy Walker. Hitler, too, loves theatricality. He seldom travels in trains; he prefers to fly. He changes his clothes half a dozen times a day, and cultivates his appearance, so as to be worthy of his name: “Der schoene Adolf” (“Handsome Adolf”). Wherever Hitler appears there is a parade and young girls in white dresses are on hand to give him a bouquet. He is a great kisser of children, especially of those wearing soldiers’ uniforms, and he knows the value of the smile and frown on the lips of men in the public eye.
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.
