On March 1 I analyzed the accomplishments of the Hitler regime and gave the reasons why in my opinion Hitlerism could not last long.
Hitlerism is unquestionably reaching the end of its rope. All the signs of the approaching doom of the reign of bigotry and folly are manifesting themselves.
The von Papen speech, its suppression in the German press notwithstanding the fact that President von Hindenburg telegraphed his congratulations to von Papen, was but one of a number of evidences of unrest and discontent that can be concealed no longer.
John Elliott, the Berlin correspondent of the Herald Tribune in a cable reviewing the Hitler crisis, writes:
“The atmosphere in Germany today is oppressive and close as on the eve of a terrific electrical storm. . . .
“The days of flag-waving are definitely over, and the time when the German people could be appeased with circuses is gone. The citizens are demanding bread and the Nazi chickens are coming home to roost. The Hitlerites are being called upon to fulfill the promises made in the days of the opposition. The German people are beginning to realize that Hitler is not a demigod.
“The Nazis have created dissatisfaction and astonishment in many quarters. Unemployment has been reduced, but at the cost of many workers having to take a cut in wages. The Nazis have revived domestic trade by heavily burdening the public finances. The campaign of anti-Semitism has stirred the Reich by diminishing exports, reducing its supply of foreign exchange. Consequently Germany has had to take measures resembling those of war time to regulate imports. . . . A regime of terror unknown since the days of Metternich has reduced the German press to a state of dull monotony and driven thousands of German readers to buying foreign publications to know what is happening in their own country.”
Dr. Georg Bernhard, the eminent German Jewish publicist, is right in warning against over-optimism with regard to the nearing collapse of Hitler.
The handwriting on the wall is unmistakable. But all efforts to resist the Hitler menace morally and economically must be continued. Hitlerism must be disarmed, for the sake of the German people, for the sake of mankind, for the sake of peace.
JEWISH EDUCATION
Judge Otto A. Rosalsky, who was honored a few days ago by the Yeshiva College with the degree of Doctor of Laws, has now been elected acting president of the Jewish Education Association, to fill the vacancy
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.
