Evening star., 1942-12-13
Nazis in Doubt
German High Command
May Seek Peace
Bv Constantine Br0wn,

tangible proof that the German high
command itself considers the prospects
of a total victory as highly improbable.
The French admiral, who has placed
himself unreservedly at the disposal of
1t. Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, the COM
manding officer of the Allied forces in
North Africa, became collaborationist
in 1910 when he actually believed the
Allies had no chance to defeat the Axis
in Europe. This belief persisted until
he saw American troopships approach
ing the shores of Africa.
Also, according to shreds of informa-
tion pieced together in Washington, what
Darlan gathered from the German mill
tary men, with whom he was necessarily
in close contact, was Illuminating to a
man of his type who spent lifetime
dealing with military problems and high
strategy. His analysis of the situation
led to the conclusion that the Germans
could not win-and so he packed his bag
with a couple of extra summer uniforms
and proceeded to Algiers to place him.
self and the North African empire of
France under the orders of the American
high command.
Other Signs of Doubt.
A number of other indications from
usually reliable neutral sources point to
concern felt by the German generals
over the fate of their country, and there
are signs that they are no longer con-
vinced that the new order" in Europe
can be achieved by a military victory.
Military leaders in Washington and
London do not intepret this, however,
as proof that the Nazi armies consider
themselves defeated-there still is plenty
of fight in them and, thanks to the
geographical advantage they retain, the
invasion of continental Europe still is
regarded as hard and long drawn -out
operation.
But, it seems that the German gen.
erals do not want repetition of 1918
and are thinking in terms of reaching
an agreement with some of their present
enemies while they are in a position to
bargain AS pointed out, their armies
remain in fighting mood and Ger
many's internal situation is nowhere
near as desperate as it was "a years ago.
ManpoWer is the chief concern OF the
Berlin high command. The Germans, If
we are to accept their figures for the sake
of evaluating the situation, have lost
about l,250,000 men killed since Septem-
Der, 1899. The American and British
forces have had fewer than 10 per cent
Of that number killed so far in action
If the war continues there is no ques-
ton but that the Allies will lose large
number of men, but at the same time,
so will the Germans.
Price Being Weighed.
When defeat overtakes Germany, her
manpower-the young men between, say,
II and 30-will have been so damaged
that it will require at least one or two
generations to recover the loss. Mean
while, the Reich, because of the loss OF
human lives and damage to her indus
trial organizations, will be relegated to
secondary rank in Europe.
This the German generals are deter
mined to avoid If the price asked by the
Allies-the heads of Hitler and his gang
is not accompanied by more drastic
demands. According to reports, if the
field marshals could settle with the Allies
on the basis of eliminating Hitler, Goer-
ing, Goebbels, Himmer and the rest OF
the Nazi crowd, they would consider
themselves to have made an excellent
bargain.
The late Kaiser Wilhelm was a de-
scendant Of a long line of rulers of Prus-
sia and Germany; hence, despite his
failings, he commanded the respect of
tradition among the junkerdom of Prus-
sia and the nobility of the other states.
Hitler represents nothing but stand
ard-bearer who no longer can carry the
standard to victory.
Many observers in close contact with
developments of the last few weeks in
Europe believe that trial balloons will
be sent out from Germany through
underground channels to learn the frame
of mind of the Allies regarding peace
proposals. Some believe they already
have been sent out.
The first to be approached will be
statesmen in the United States and
Britain.
Empire as Bait.
Judging by past performances, the
Germans will attempt to come to terms
first with the English-speaking powers.
They know that one of Britain's prin-
cipal concerns is the preservation of the
empire, and it is regarded likely that
the Germans will suggest that Britain
accept peace arrangement whereby the
ho tod La
fore the outbreak of war in 1899.
Once peace comes to Europe, Britain
will not have too difficult a job getting
the japanese out of her colonies She
will be able to concentrate her entire
naval, military and air power in the
Indian Ocean and the Pacific and with
Americas help should be able to take
care of the Japs in short order, according
to the Germans
Since the Atlantic Charter provides
that the freedom and self determination
of nations be definitely established after
the war, the Germans unquestionably
will offer that the whole of Western,
Central and Southern Europe be re-
stored to pre-1939 lines.
The German generals want to apear
as saviors Of the democracies Of the world
and will propose formation of a strong
barrier against Communism in Eastern
Europe. The best way to accomplish
such task, they are likely to suggest,
will be to maintain the gains in Russia,
the Baltic States and the Ukraine, which
would be incorporated into the Reich
or made into nllnnet states under the