Evening star., 1945-01-15
Realism Seen Downing
Among German People
Ribbentrop Is Seeking Way Out
Of War Dilemma, Says Writer


Ribbentrop Is Seeking Way Out
OF War Dilemma, Says Writer
By David Laurence
There has been momentous change
from mood of drifting optimism to /.
one OF genuine realism in the last three
weeks. The public Is buckling down to
a hard and long war on all fronts.
But certain events, both on the mill
tary and psychological side, may shortly
be expected which might tend to clari-.
fly the situation even further and per-
haps introduce an element of realism
for the German people.
A little squib in the newspapers tells
of trip by Joachim Won Ribbentrop,
German Foreign Minister, to look into
political conditions in Spain. This
hardly seems the real purpose. In Ma.
drid. diplomats from neutral countries
furnish means of informal, unofficial,
communication between Germany and
the outside world. 50
II any elements inside Germany
think there is some way to end the
war before military defeat brings COM
plete destruction of Germanys plants
and her cities, this would be the natural
time for them to feel out the situation,
especially in the weeks Immediately be-
fore the coming meeting of Messrs.
Stain, Roosevelt and Churchill.
The German offensive on the western
front has proved futile and the big Rus
sian offensive in the east is under way.
Encouragement must be widespread
inside Germany and it would not be
surprising If Ribbentrop were trying to
find way to extricate Germany from
her dilemma The Allies must be on
guard against so-called peace offen-
sive, but sooner or later the real thing
must happen and Germany must in
dicate that she is ready to throw in the
sponge.
Hitler Exile Favored.
If the reports be true that Hitler no
longer is in control, it may be that the
Germans will be ready to sacrifice him;
to get peace. 1t is curious that the
British government is reported at this
time as favoring exile for Hitler rather
than trial by an inter-Allied court.
This sounds incredible but it may all
be part Of a plan to bring about the
surrender of the German armies leaving
to the period afterwards the final dis
position of such matters. 3.
The big Three" will doubtless have
some authentic information handed
them from various sources in touch
with Berlin and it could happen that
the forthcoming meeting might actu-
ally be faced with the problem of defin-
ing peace arrangements If the Ger
mans agree to surrender at once their
armies and weapons Internationally
Allied leadership and solidarity have
been under a strain of late but the
peoples of Allied countries indeed must
now be impressed by the unanimity Of
American public opinion behind the
| principles of the Atlantic Charter From
an unexpected quarter-the Republican
| party-has come an important con-
tribution to American leadership Sena-
tor Vandenberg's speech, it is said, has
been welcomed by President Roosevelt
himself as helpful.
Leadership in ideas must not be
thought of as just the task of three
| men. Expressions to mold it must come
| from all branches of our Government
and all sections of public opinion and
from all political parties.
Other Problems to Solve. scsri
The Vandenberg plan to prevent the
rebirth of aggression by Germany will
unquestionably aid the President in his
formulation of a joint policy with Stain
and Churchill. But it is not likely that
| European matters alone will be dis
| cussed at Teheran-where Turkish dis
| patches say the conference will be held.
| There are big problems that need to
| be settled in relation to the Pacific war.
Looking toward the next two years of
| planning, British naval cooperation,
possible Russian aid in the Far East in
1916, and ALLEGATION of supplies and
shipping for all Pacific projects are
vital and require months and months of
| preparation and adjustment of facil-
tiles.
1t is to be regretted that President
Roosevelt has to make the journey to
faraway places for the conference
Travel is especially difficult for person
who is physically handicapped Il
would have been better If Mr. Stalir
could have seen his way clear to come
to the United States or some island of
our coasts. Mr.. Churchill has been very
obliging in this respect. Americans are
appreciative of Mr.. Roosevelt's will
ingness to incur the hazards, but people
here would be happier if circumstances
made those risks unnecessary
|