The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1941-10-20

Al4dui MICH Oct. -heNdld'
tons Of the life Of a girl born in
Germany during the last World
War and now living in nearby
Adrian made an unusually inter
esting program for members of
Milan Woman's Club who met
Tuesday in Pythian Hall. Mrs.
Gertrude Hidden. the speaker. was
born in Cologne, Germany. her
father being an attorney in tina.
city. She grew Zip during the per.
ioI OF rationing which started dur
Ing the war and in truth was
raised on turnips' she said. Com
pairing the German home life with
that in the States. she spoke of the
supremacy OF the father, Of his
word being law in the home. He
Is In Germany the absolute head
Of the family. unlike in many of
American homes. Her home life
as the daughter of privileged
family was severe, most amuse-
ments were found in the homes
OF her parents and her friends. no
motion pictures could be attended
until the child had reached the
age Of IS and makeup was I'M
known to girls and women.
Returning to the national situa-
tion at that time she said that
the German people tried to make
their country Democracy but
tailed to do so because they
We're unable to displace the reac-
tionary officers with more liberal
thinkers. Another factor hinder
ing the change in government at
that time was the atter.war de-
preston, and the fear of Russia
and Communism. Too, the people
OF Germany had always known 4
stronG leader, the Kaiser. Bis.
narck, and others.
As the beginnings of Democracy
failed, Hitler seemed the answer
to everybody's hope, although the
German people did not dream when
they allowed Hitler to assume
power that such a person of low
breeding could hold this position
for very long. They simply accept.
ed his promises for the we'll being
Of Germany with the idea that
he would not be in power for any
length of time. But he soon
proved how powerful he and his
party were. organizing everyone
young and old into the Nazi strong
hold.
Those who were not Nazi sympa-
thlzers ran the risk Of imprison.
ment in concentration camps and
the fear OF such a sentence kept
the people from doing anything.
Al first the Hitler program seemed
wonderful te-the- German ueople
as a whole, each class seemingly
satisfied with the results. Among
the first changes noted under his
reign was the change in educa
ton, she said as he began at once
10 use the schools to bring about
hatred Of the Jews. Pictures of
Jews drawn with hideous faces
were before the children all the
time, and the reading courses
were so changed as to teach only
terrible stories Of the Jews. Four.
teen years of a youths life under
the constant teachings Of the Nazi
party made him class hater and
a strong worker in the party. From
the age Of nine the German youth
is taught the spirit of combat. no
Is given 3 uniform which he learns
TO love and in his young adult life
Is ready to take up arms for the
party
Mrs. Hidden stated that America
Is the country to keep democracy
alive and that the hope of the
world is 10 see A democracy work
IN Germany. She spoke OF the
wonderful privileges we have in
a country Of freedom and progress.
opposition to Hitler in Germany
is led by religious groups. she said
Following her youth in Germany
Mrs. Hidden went 10 Holland she
said in 1888. which at that time was
land Of plenty. After two years
she went to England, later coming
TO the United States. She CORES.
ponds with relatives and friends
IN Germany and England and saws
she feels that there Is no starvs.
ton in Germany at present. al.
though there may be in the coun.
tries which it has taken.
-Four new members Joined the
club on Tuesday They are Mrs.
Alice Smith, Mrs. Ruth Hoyt. Mrs.
Esther Hannum and Mrs. Julia
Lee.
During the business meeting an
nouncement was made OF the dis.
trict meeting to be held in Adrian
being driven past the German
Park. Mr.. Washer said. Cause OF