Evening star., 1941-03-25

WlltH lilcy duVOCdIcu Ci1c CildilCcI-
lorship for him, and likewise not
because he fears the ineXhaustible
resources of the British Empire.
The real reason is rather to be
sought in the desire of leading cir
cles in Germany to eschew any en-
terprise likely to hold up the dis
integration of the British Empire,
which they deem inevitable, and
lead to a regeneration of the British
nation
To understand this trend of
thought Alright we must remember
that it was not Cnly the Prussian
military caste, but the Swabian
Schiller, who extolled war as a re-
generator of life. A war-so argue
others beside the NaZis-Would re-
generate all the power instincts
and martial virtues of the British
nation which appeared to have de-
generated before the outbreak of
hoStilities. Far from Fastening the
breakup of the British Empire,
war would tend to strengthen it
and prolong British hegemony, at
least for another two or three gen.
erations. In well-informed circles
and not merely German ones-the
life Of the British Empire was esti-
mated at another generation.
No Further Entente.
It is not inconceivable that Hitler
would win over the small states and
also Italy, France and Spain to this
project and strengthen the latter
two countries in their antagonism
to Britain. So long as the present
French regime remains in power,
there can be no question of any
similarity of British and French war
aims. If France does not become
an actual opponent of Britain. at
least she will be resolved to pursue
a more independent policy. There
can be no further question Of
common entente policy.
We might indeed interpret the
situation in the sense that the three
Latin powers are vitally interested
in seeing that neither Hitler nor
Britain should win a decisive vic
tory over the other. Europe is
balance of great cultural powers
which gives scope for various COM
binations, and if the line of the
new French policy is opposed to
German or Russian hegemony of
Europe. it is equally antagonistic
to British one. Hence the new
points of contact with Italy and
Spain. Moreover, this policy is the
only one which gives Premier Mus
solini chance to save something
for his regime.
Whether such policy will serve
the real interests of France is an
other question. 1t is also doubtful
whether it can be realized. French
policy now seems to assume some
resemblance to the Russian policy
in favoring draw in preference to
the victory of one or other oppo-
nent. But that is just what Hitler
desires, and therefore he will raise
no objections to this Latin bloc: on
the contrary, he will be able to use
it for his own ends.
1t would be quite in accordance
with Hitler's trend of thought to
force peace on Britain against her
will. His estimation of public opin-
ion in Britain and the United
States leads him to conclude that
moderate peace, achieved by nego-
tiation, would revive the isolation
tendencies latent in both Anglo
Saxon powers. Moreover. Nazi
circles closely in touch with the
Fuehrer are largely inspired by the
idea of revolution in the United
States. But what Hitler really de-
Sires to achieve by a fait accompli
peace is the basis for a new propa-
ganda campaign which would dis
lntegrate Anglo-Saxon morale as
surely as his slogans broke the
French morale last year.
The weaknesses of its ruling
classes made the dissolution of this
artificial creation" inevitable. Why. |
then. provoke a revival of life and
resistance power by a war? That
is the real meaning of Hitler's
declarations of friendship for Brit
ain!
Must Destroy Slavic Race.
The one focus-point of his policy
is therefore his belief in the irrevoc-
able passing of British world su-
premacy and the call to Germany
to assume the inheritance. His
other focus-point was and still is
the elimination of his continental
rival, Russia. with whom a Ger !
many rising to position of world |
power could never remain in perma-
nent alliance, because there can be
only one supreme power in con-
troll of the Eurasian continent |
While Britain can therefore be left |
to gradual process of disintegra-
ton, the Slavonic race must be de-
stroyed by force before it becomes
a real menace to German world
The sudden collapse of such a
great institution as the British
Empire would also contain certain
dangers for the victorious destroyer
The arm of NaZi-ism is not the mega
tive one comprised in the destruc-
ton of the British Empire, but the
positive extension of its own DOM
ination over its essential component
parts. A military overthrow would
rot exclude the possibility that some
of the key-points would fall into
foreign hands.