The Daily Alaska empire. [volume] (Juneau, Alaska) 1926-1964, 1943-12-28
Meme, Meme
New York Times

NEW Y DIX l1fneSl
In The flames of burning Berlin there be read
writing the wall The prophet Daniel translated
the first words of the famous inscription, Meme,
Meme Tekel Upharsn' meaning, God hath
numbered thy kingdom and finished it." This modern
writing says the thing. 1t says it in paradox
cal fashion The Naz kingdom is based on total war.
1t has been total since Hitler took power-first
total against all civilized people in Germany, who
were naturally enemies of the Nazs; then total war
against other nations The paradox is that total war
defeats itself It does this because it involves every
member of a nation, demanding complete assent from
each and the utmost endurance and exertion from
each And these two things just what purely
arbitrary Government cannot command.
Britain could endure in 1910 and 194l. situation
apparently hopeless than that of Germany today
She could sustain air attacks that seemed to be the
ultimate, though now have proof that they were
light indeed in comparison with what be done
She could bear up under defeats by sea and land.
She could stand firm when she was almost defense
less But her people did not rise to these heights
the order of the King the Prime Minister CIR any
ruling class. Power to endure and to STRIFE back
up cut OF the hearts of the people. NJ Churchill
is great man. but his greatness in that crisis was
in his ability reflect and focus the greatness of the
common and woman in Britain. In his most
lordly moments he remained servant of his people
He could ask from them the ultimate sacrifice because
they wed to give it. He could not exact it. They
fighting for system of society in which it
would always be given in time of crisis for the very
reason that could exact it.
Hitler and his associates control what is probably
the formidable organization created to force
compliance of the many with the will of the few. AS
far see. they can put down any overt
rebellion They punish negative ofenses against
their regime, such failure to work failure
make a show of enthusiasm But there their power
stops They cannot evoke from the masses of the
German people that magnificent flame that
kinded in Britain three years ago That flame burns
only in the hearts of those who feel themselves to be
free who determined to attain freedom The
last of endurance OF courage and of hope that
will win this total cannot possibly exist in the
country which invented total
Berlin burns The Naz air has failed The
submarine has failed. Italy is still a battle
ground but not Naz ally The Russians, who do not
have kind of freedom but who fight like men who
believe in freedom and intend to realize their
dream of it, have deeply wounded and driven back
the flower of the German armies
If the Germans could rise against these disasters
they against Napoleon in 1913 they might
have hope But they have hope. Blood and
tyranny are all that Hitler promises promise
them. No nation ever grave its all for such things
The Nazs total is certain to defeat itself 1t
lacks the last reserve for victory-the dignity and
splendor of the unconquerable human SOUL which
has derded and destroyed