The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1938-10-20
RY MILTON BRONNER

BY MILTON BRONNER
European Manager Of NEA Service
The success story Of Adolf Hitler,
| In tabloid form, Is this:
He has always moved at the right
psychological moment.
Even his enemies concede the
Fabulous Fuehrer's shrewdness as q
tactician.
Hitler, for example, Is the man
who introduced the saturday sur
prise as q regular practice OF in
ternational diplomacy. On Saturdays,
statesmen are out OF their capitals,
newspapers are marking time, peo-
ple are away enjoying themselves,
Il Is q good chance to spring some
thing, show the world "fait ac-
compii." The shock wears on over
the weekend.
When, in 1898, Hitler decided Ger.
MANY was TO leave the League OF
Nations, he chose october IL, q sat
urdav. When he ordered the famous
blood purge" Of insurrectionist
Nazis and others, he chose saturday
June 80, 1884.
When he strapped the Versailles
treaty and introduced universal
military CONSUMPTION for Germans,
II was March l6, 1895, q Saturday,
When Germany occupied the de-
militarized" Rhineland, It was March
n. 1888, a Saturday. It was Saturday,
March IL, 1888, when he GRABBED
Austria. May 81, when Czechoslo-
yakia mobili2ed It's army against ex-
Iuected German invasion, was q Sat
urday. Finally, during his talks with
Chamberlain, he fixed October la
saturday--as the day OF his invasion
Of Czechoslovakia.
Hitler Is o diplomatic opportunist'
In 1895, Mussolini began his war
ON Ethiopia. Britain forced through
sanctions, and Italy found herself
alone and friendless. At this moment
the psychological one-Hitler Of
fered the dictator across the Alps
friendship and material aid. Musso-
iIni gratefully accepted and the
Rome. Berlin axis" was born.
Germany had been forbidden TO
build anything like q real navy by
the postwar treaties. England was
the chief instigator Of that, because
she wanted no competition on the
seas. But In 1895, Hitler let II be
known In Downing Street that he
was ready to embark on naval race
with Britain that would rival the
Kaiser's famous naval race before
the war. On June IL, 1885, England
came TO terms. Hitler was allowed 30
per cent OF Britaitn's tonnage, 10
per cent Of her submarines.
A former Nazi confederate Of Hit
ler's has told Of Der Fuehrer's inter-
national insight They met IN Ber-
lin one day In 1882 TO discuss the
international situation that would
result should Hitler receive the chan
cellorship.
The friend urged on Hitler an
alliance with Soviet Russia. But
Hitler rejected this and instead out
lined the future lineup that would
take place. Germany, he said, would
become an ally OF italy and Japan.
France, Czechoslovalsia and Russia
would be allies. England would be
neutral.
He had not yet achieved power,
but fully six years before the show
down Of 1898, he called the turn
correctly.
The friend has also revealed that
what Hitler feared most was pre-
yentive war" which would keep him
from achieving his detectives OF arm
ing Germany, selling Austria and
Czechoslovakia.
"Wiii ! be able TO rearm Germany"
no said prophetically, before they
get on 10 me and strike at me with
0 preventive war? That depends,
largely, ] suppose, on whether they
have the leadership and courage 10
strike-if they can get the people
| TO 90 10 war again, and that ! doubt"
inside the Reich, Hitler has shown
the same knowledge OF tactics and
psychology. witness his handling OF
dermany's middle class.
This group, oppressed from the
top by inonopolies banks and indus
triaiists, frightened from below by
the power Of the organized workers,
hocked 10 Hitier's banner when he