Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1943-07-22

meaning. DA''' Lawrence
In almost every utterance by offi-
cisl spokesmen thus far, 1t has been
customary to draw a distinction be-
tween the Nazis and the German
people and to imply that when
Hitler and the Nazi criminals are
punished there will be chance
for the restoration of the German
people to their prewar status.
But something significant appar-
emily has been added to the Allied
strategy of psychological warfare
and the Germans in Moscow put
their finger on it when they called
on their countrymen to give up
now while there is chance to bar
gain for free Germany rather
than later when the Allied armies
have overrun the country and
spirit of revenge has become deeply
Embedded.
Mr.. Roosevelt has a charscteris-
tic way of making cryptic state
nent when he feels himself Unable,
for reasons of state, to disclose all
OF the story. 1t would seem that
the German people now are p be
warned that they will lose, rather
than gain, by continued resistance.
Apparent Change in Theory.
Up to now it has been argued In
the realm of psychological warfae
that it would be unwise to threatn
the ACKNOWLEDGMENT Of German,
because this would only stiffen re
sistance and play into the hand
of the Goebbels propaganda, which
has been urging last-ditch stand
on the theory that destruction was
the alternative to the making OF
peace. But now, apparently, the
Allies have determined that such an
approach may be unreaistic from
our viewpoint and that If the Allied
armies are compelled to fight their
way through to Berlin, the chances
of their giving up the territory
gained through immense bloodshed
would be much less than if the
German people surrendered now.
Public opinion in Russia, Britain
and the United States Is not going
to be too lenient about collabora-
ton with any German regime that
has cost the Allies hundreds Of
thousands Of lives. Poland, Czecho-
slovakia, Holland and Norway are
not likely to wish to see Germany
restored to prewar status. AS fol-
the Industrial Ruhr, it may well
be that a free French Government
will not be hesitant to suggest an
nexation Of that area as a sure
way to prevent Germany from play
ing another Hitler trick of secret
armament against unsuspecting
neighbors.
Questioned on Remark.
The origin Of the Presidents re.
mark was a brief speech at a din.
ner in Washington in honor OF
Gen. Giraud. Mr.. Roosevelt said
There are great many objec.
tives. OF course, the major OBJ
jective Is the elimination of Ger
many. That goes without saying
AS the result Of the step which is
In progress at this moment DIVA
sion Of Sicily we hope it is the be-
ginning of the end"
That was on July 10, but or
July Is at the press conference the
President was asked if the refer
ence to elimination of Germany
referred also to postwar. His reply
was that he was no Delphic oracle
and that we had better win the
war. In fact, he suggested as a
good slogan, Let's win the war;
A few months ago such puz-
cling answer would not have been
made. Every Allied spokesman
would have said that, of course
Germany would not be eliminated
in any postwar set-up. 1t is sig
nificant in itself that the question
is left open and unanswered now
by the head of the State which is
most likely to WELD in the postwar
settlement the greatest influence.
What the President may be aim
Ing at, namely way to make the
German people realize the risks
they are running by continued re.
sistance, Is undoubtedly being i'm.
pressed on German groups in exile
AS, for instance, in Moscow-sc
that they can lift their voices in ar
appeal to their compatriots at home
The strategy has merit because
every day the war is prolonged, the
danger to Germany Of an intransi.
gent array of nations against hel
in any fight to the finish increases
In the last war, America had suf.
fered relatively few casualties ane
our influence at the peace confer.
ence was tn favor Of moderation
In fact, the Fourteen Points enun.
ciated by the late President Wilson
were, in effect, q pledge for the res.
toration Of the status quo so far a!
Germany was concerned with some
exceptions, such as Alsace-Lorraine
The restoration of Germany itsel,
was assured.
No such promise can be given i
Germany forces the battle to tn,
point where the blood of American
troops as well as British and Cana.
dams has been shed profusely. TIL.
three big influences for moderation
will have been swept away and tn,
path opened for a prolonged mill.
.tary occupation of Germany as vel
rs drastic revision Of prewar boun.
diaries.
1t Is for the German people tt
begin wonderinc What presiAap,