Evening star., 1938-11-14

s,y1n,;ad ,U 10 ~, 49, David Lawrence.
)"test manifestation of Nazi fanati-
cism.
For sheer arrogance, nothing has
come from anv foreign country in
fhr'ern times chat can equal the
noi ,fcation by the German rulers to
the press of the United States and
OF other countries tr.s German
questions must not be discussed lest
more reprisals will be visited upon
the Jewish population of Central
Europe.
For the American Government to
ignore this attempt by a foreign
power to control American opinion
by threats would be in itself an act
of acquiescence unlike the tradi-
tional spirit of this country. Un-
doubtedly some representations will
be made on this point through diplo-
matte channels, if indeed they have
not already been transmitted to the
German Embassy in Washington.
What interests people here far
more than this aspect, however, is
the gradual alienation of American
opinion by the Nazis which is going
on now and which cannot but result
some day in the breaking off of
diplomatic relations between the
United States and Germany. move
which other nations would then
follow. There would appear to be
little desire here to maintain rela-
'tions with government which has
forfeited the respect of mankind and
has almost outdone the barbarisms
Of the middle ages.
The deepest sympathy Is felt here
for the German people who are
under such duress that they cannot
make their protests felt The Ger
man citizens probably do not know,
because OF the censorship, that man
kind is now pronouncing judgment
on Naziism in a manner which ulti-
mately may mean more hardships
for Germany and eventually
Waterloo of such tragic conse-
quences as the world has seldom
witnessed.
Opinion Shocked.
The German episodes of the last
Few days have so shocked American
opinion that undoubtedly the new
4 armament program here will be sup
ported on every side as measure of
rrecaution in a world in which an
important government has lost all
sense Of decency and humane spirit.
Even prisoners Of war are better
treated in wartimes than Germany
treats her minority populations
today.
To allow riots and looting ana to
encourage under the supervision OF
storm troopers a demonstration
against innocent men. women and
children in Germany just because a
deranged boy in Paris committed an
attack on an embassy secretary is
to ronless to the whole world the
resror that evidently exists inside
the German government TODAY
Fear of aSsasSlnations by the VIC
Tins of the German orgies must be so
extensive that the attacks on the
Jews cannot but be interpreted as
having no other reason than the set
ting up of defense against more
ATTACKS. To believe that the Jews
throughout the world Will be coWed
into submission and will not help
their co-religionists and that Catho-
lies and Protestants will be similarly
forced to remain silent while an in
humane sadism goes on in Germany
is to misunderstood the temper and
determination of free peoples.
But the German rulers have shown
themselves inept before. They mis-
took pacific American sentiment as
something which could be outraged
at will by submarine warfare in 1917,
and, as a consequence, 100000
American troops went to Europe and
with them billions of dollars of aid.
Germany's economic plight and the
unjust treatment she received at
Versailles came only from a war
which Germany lost because of ner
own stupidity in disregarding Amer
lean opinions and world opinion
Active protests by foreign govern
ments everywhere now may be an
ticipated as we'll as a determination
on the part of foreign countries SEN
orally to ostracize the Nazi govern
ment and all its works. To boycott
by trade reprisals. of course. is to
hurt innocent German people and
two wrongs never make right.
What Americans can do, however,
Is to hope that all the governments
OF the world will speak to the Ger
man government-not that this will
OF itself be of avail, but, in the long
run, news of these protests will sink
by word of mouth into the conscious
ness OF the German people.
Another Step.
There's another step which is be-
ing taken. The Christian churches
have ordered prayers for next week
on behalf of the oppressed Jews.
These prayers might we'll be EXTEND
ed 50 as to include the present rul-
ers Of the German government.
When a man goes mad and COM
mits murder, we do not execute him
nowadays. We treat him with the
pity that madmen deserve. Today
the organization of mass PRAYER
meetings to ask divine forgiveness
for the sins of the madmen who rule |
Germany might be so impressive as
-