Messersmith, G.S.
Date
2011-06-15
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Delaware Library, Museums and Press
Abstract
Description
Has often been asked if there is such a thing as a good German; basic difference between English and Americans on the one hand and Germans on the other is that no amount of bad government will lead English and Americans to accept it; may have to endure bad situation for a time, but find ways to get rid of it; mentions specifically in America [Joseph] McCarthy and Father Coughlin; few Englishmen are proud of Sir [Oswald] Moseley, but they suppressed his endeavor to implant Fascism in England; Germans lack civic courage; many of them were good Germans, and violently opposed to Nazis before Hitler came into power, but lacked courage to take stand against what they knew to be wrong; mentions specifically [Hjalmar] Schacht, brilliant banker who though never a Nazi at heart, became an opportunist and used his skill to prop up Germany's tottering economy, thus prolonging Hitler regime; in Foreign Office there were [Konstantin von] Neurath and [Hans Heinrich] Dieckoff, who though both fine, capable men, for opportunistic reasons, allowed themselves to become tools of Hitler regime; other examples are [Heinrich] Sahm and Hans Luther; other good Germans, like Fritz Thyssen the industrialist, merely left country and thus failed to face up to duty; a few really good Germans survived; [Konrad] Adenauer was one of them.
Keywords
Messersmith, George S. (George Strausser), 1883-1960.