The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-01-01
MONDAY. JAN. /. 1884
TWO REVOLUTIONS

II ME recognition that the Hitler regime in
u Germany is one Of the most deplorable
developments in the political and cultural his
tory of modern times should not prevent one
from trying to understand how the Nazis we're
able to rise to a position of domination in con-
temporary Germany. BY understanding the
movement we can come to learn what it feeds
upon BY eliminating the wrongs to Germany
which have made possible the Hitler atrocity
we may possibly be able to undermine the new
system direct and head-on attack is likely
only to drive the German people into more
frantic and determined support of their new
government.
Hamilton Fish Armstrong, editor Of Foreign
Affairs has written perhaps the best brief in
PRODUCTION to the rise of Hitler and the results
of his policies in Germany (Hitlers Reich:
The first phase. BY Hamilton Fish Armstrong.
Macmillan Co. 81.
For one who wishes to get the present
German situation in a nutshell this volume
may be recommended heartily. Mr.. Arm
strongs well known anti Germanism has been
kept under conmendable control.
It should not be forgotten, however, that
tor was one of the most powerful influences
in America which kept alive the false theories
about German war guilt and the Treaty Of
Versailles that were more responsible than
any other single element in producing the
Hitler uprising.
Professor Hoover already is well known for
his excellent book on the economic situation
u, rrfaf IIa ~rf4ra fNp 1Ncf
satisfactory survey of the transition from the
German republic to the Nazi dominion. Ger
many Enters the Third Reich BY Calvin B.
Hoover. Macmillan Co. $3.50. Others may
have described better the personalities and
episodes involved, but no other book that I
know of in English has discussed so satisfac-
torily the institutional changes involved. He
writes from a frst-hand knowledge, having
spent the last year as a resident of Germany.
Professor Hoover shows how Hitler's advent
was due to the resentment of the Germans
with respect to the war guilt lie and the I'M
fair Treaty of Versailles, to the resulting in
stability and unpopularity of the republic
which had signed the Treaty of Versailles, and
Ito the splits and quarrels among the MARKHAM
Socialists.
He makes it clear that Hitlerism is some
thing more than a movement for revisionism
or a savage persecution of the Jews. In an
economic sense it Is the German new DEAF
through which a desperate effort is being
made to save German capitalism. While not
in sympathy with HitleriSm, Professor Hoover
writes with objectivity and shows that, whether
we like it or not, Hitler and his group are
likely to remain in power for a long time to
come.
If this is the case, then little will be
achieved merely by screaming at Hitler from
across borders or across oceans. In the first
place it must be made clear to Hitler that he
is alternating those formerly sympathetic with
Germany by brutalities and intolerance which
are by no means indispensable to the progress
and success of his campaign to revise the
Treaty of Versailles.
1t should be borne in upon him that his
follieS with regard to secondary issues in his
program really are leading to enlightenment Of
Germany such as was not known before 1914
incidentally. Hitlerism reveals with Pc
culiar force the absurdity of holding that the
DRY and practice can be divorced safely, and
that sound practice can be derived from
absurd theory Herr Hitler has proved a very
competent practical leader. The vicious as
poets of his regime have come from the bad
theory which he believes sincerely such as his
absurd racialism, the associated religious
bigotry and his curious ideas about Socialism
and Communism.
All Of this suggests that perhaps the most
effective weapon which can be utilized against
Hitler is that which recently was recommended
by AL Smith, namely, relentless and whitening
ridicule. A few Bayles and Voltaires would
help more than all the French armies at the
present writing.
Joseph Lewis the well known thinker
has brought out pleasant little volume con-
traSting pre-revolutionary and poSt-revolution-
airy Spain and laying much stress upon the
religious emancipation which the revolution
has brought about. Spain: A Land Blighted
by Religion By Joseph Lewis. Free Thought
Press Association. 81. There is no greater
contrast between the German and Spanish
revolutions than that involved in the medieval
bigotry Of Hitler as set over against the lib
eraliSrn, tolerance and enlightenment of the
present rulers of Spain in the realm of religion
and the intellect.