The Wilmington morning star. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1909-1990, 1946-02-23
Dangerous Thesis
BY LIVINGSTON HARTLEY

|
Now that the power of the Third Reich has
been destroyed, there is widespread tenden-
cy to discount future danger from Germany
and to dwell upon the possibility that there
may some day in the future be danger from
Russia. Some small groups in the United
States and Britain who have always been par.
ticularly suspicious of Russia even 20 50 far
as to advocate rebuilding strong Germany
| as barrier to Russian expansion How dis
astrously the adoption of this thesis would af
feet the peace and security of the Atlantic
democracies can be seen by considering some
OF its practical consequences.
First, it seems quite clear now that fun
damental principle of Soviet policy is to pre-
vent revival of the historic German menace
which has twice caused the Russian people
such destruction and suffering For this rea-
son, an attempt of the Western democracies
to rebuild German power would destroy any
real hope Of effective cooperation with Rus
STA and replace it with serious anita gonisnn.
Second, there is no practical possibility that
Germany could become strong enough to
serve as barrier against Russia Both are
land Powers separated only by the plains of
Poland. Russia is far superior in manpower
and will, in the future, be far superior in
industrial capacity. Possessing the most pow
erful land force in the world as well as mill
tary control of more than a third of the
former Reich, Russia could easily prevent
Germany from creating land force of COM
parable strength.
Third, although a restored Germany could
not be strong enough to serve as barrier
against Russia, its Army could be strong
enough to menace France and Britain. France
Is lar weaker in manpower and industrial
capacity than her historic enemy and Britain
can exert only limited land strength on the
European continent. However great a superb
ority the British might be able to maintain
in the air Or in the employment of new
weapons, the frontiers of Germany's western
neighbors could be threatened by the German
Army.
Fourth, rebuilt Germany, consequently,
could hope to expand towards the West even
though it could no longer expand towards the
East. Instead Of serving as barrier against
Russia it would be impelled to seek a part
nershp with Russia new Axis in which it
might influence Russia towards aggressive
policies. Only by this means could Germany
satisfy its traditional and inherent urge for
expansion. The fact that its political system
has been since 1888 more akin to that of
Russia than to that Of the Western World
would make such a partnership the more &C.
ceutable to the German people
Fifth, restored Germany would be more
likely than any other Power to launch war
of rockets and atomic bombs Now that the
population and industrial potential as we'll as
United States and Russia are so superior in
in area, war is the only means by which
Germany can attain leading position in the
world. Russia, in contrast resembles the Unit
ed States in being able to count on attaining
such position through peaceful development
German scientific aptitude industrial know
how, will to expansion and ruth1essness COM
bine to fit Germany which has regained
her power for the role Of launching surprise
atomic offensive which could bring on Third
World War. Scientific experts have pointed
out how the impossibility Of knowing at once
from where such an attack had come could
play into the hands Of re-armed Germany
For example, it could In the future suddenly
destroy large sections of New York either
by shooting rockets across the Atlantic Or by
decorating atomic mines placed in buildings
by German agents. Our military leaders might
then think the aggressor was Russia and con-
sequently fire rockets at Russian cities Thus
a Third World War could be started despite
the desire Of every nation except Germany
for peace.
These considerations indicate the danger Of
any attempt to rebuild German strength for
purposes of power politics and the absolute
necessity for continuing collaboration between
the Atlantic democracies and Russia to keep
Germany powerless to wage another war
Christian Science Monitor.