1940-12-11 — Page 23

THE CHINA MAIL, DECEMBER 11, 1940.

Page

CHINA MAIL Men Behind German

WINDSOR HOUSE

THE NEXT STAGE OF DEMOCRACY

Invasion

}: VICE-ADMIRAL

WOLF.

Of

Norway

..

The plea voiced in the recent Commons debate by several mem-

"It would have been an under- whole reorganisation of German of Eastern Persia; earning thereby bers, that the present British Par- GANG WEGENER.

estimate of the intelligence of the naval thought took its course. the highest German order and liament should justify the exten-

statemen of these countries to as- But his ideas did not acquire Knighthood, together with the sion of its normal five-year life ly attempted to persuade the been able to understand that Ger- advent of the Third Reich

Herr von Ribbentrop has vain-sume that they would not have their full significanco, until the nickname of "the German Law- by undertaking an inquiry into world that the invasion of Nor-many was pressing certain

and rence." the whole machinery, and organ- way

de- the beginning of German rearma- was a defensive isation of government has made forced upon a reluctant Germany duration of the conflict only and within reach, In the absence of the Turkish army operating east measuremands upon them for the limited ment brought their realisation E. Lawrence as chief of staff of Subsequently he opposed Col. T.

a considerable impression,

by the necessity for forestalling merely under the bitter necessity any special ideas of his own It needs to be emphasised that an Allied attack against her with of war; demands which, there- naval warfare, Adolf Hitler eag

on of the Jordan, the present war is not fundamen-the connivance of the Norwegian; fore, because not advanced in an erly adopted the Admiral's bold tally between countries and peo- Government.

unfriendly spirit, were well cap- and ruthless conceptions, so much

so that his study became unor Acially known in naval circles as

of Parliament. however, offers a real opportun- ity.

The popular cry has been heard. "We must have no more party

politics after the war."

as

י

foresha-

mer-

By:

DR. HERBERT ROSINSKI,

Former lecturar nt tho German Naval Academy

tc

"Hitler's naval bible.".

Out of its strategic ideas there arose between 1930 and 1938 the new doctrine of the German Navy; out of its criticism of Germany's failure to utilise the Danish and Norwegian positions during the World War, the ruthless attack upon these two countries of which we were witnesses.

After the war it was he who, as A. D. C. to the minister of war, Gessler, went to Moscow to estab lish the secret German training/ units: within the Red Army and remained in charge of them for eight years, until, in 1932, he came to Berlin to undertake the or- ganisation of the academic side of German rearmament.

A favourite

of Marshal

Von

cilessly exposed the fundamental of Admiral Wegener aroused the occupation of Denmark and Nortician who, in a lecture on the

result had

..

a

1117-

Surrey Hide-out

ples, but between parliamentary Imbued with the now well- government and democracy on standardised Nazi technique of the one hand, and dictatorship on aggression and justification; he the other.

seems completely to have ignor- ed the fact that the idea of an And apart from winning the occupation of Denmark and Nor war, democracy has to demons- way had been plainly trate its efficiency more convin-dowed many years before Hitler cingly than hitherto,

came to

power by the German

Blomberg and one of the few of Describing as revolutionary the Admiral Wolfgang Wegener who, Government's decision to prolong unknown to the world at large,

summer of 1933, he quickly real- ficers to join the Nazi party in the the life of the present British Par-to shape the present policy of the able of being discussed. To offer has done more than anybody else

ised. the immense opportunities liament without the sanction of a German Navy.

offered by it to an adventurous general election, Mr. Hore-Beli-

themselves of their own account

disposition like his own and threw Admiral Wegener had already these. States in their own inter- sha argued that the exicting truce been on the retired list for a num-est were naturally not anxious,

himself with all his energy into between the major political par-ber of years, when in 1926, he but that did not imply that they

the task of championing it both in II COLONEL RITTER VON ties was causing a decline in par-suddenly

the ranks of the army and in the electrified the whole would not have been willing

NIEDERMAYER liamentary vitality.

acadèmic world, meanwhile de- He called German naval world by aenter sympathetically into nego-

veloping his institute into the for, more enlightenment for back- small, but exceedingly pun-tiations."

Ten years after their first publi- principal centre of German mill- benchers and more outspoken cri-gent memorandum of some

cation plans for improving Ger-tary studies. ticism from them in debate,

These revolutionary 80 pages. In this he

proposals many's strategic position by the

It was this soldier-scholar-poli- Prolongation

errors of German naval strategy cussion had done before.

German Navy as no other

dis way were elaborated from a dif-Nord und Ostsee" delivered in during the World War and the

Bit-ferent angle by Colonel Oscar terly disputed by many of stupidity of the Official History's elder men, they were hailed with of the great Central Institute for tures on the "strategic geography the Ritter von Niedermayer, the Head March, 1837, in a course of lec- attempt to obscure the issue, si

of oceans" at the Institut fur as to conceal the complete failure enthusiasm by practically the Military Studies at Berlin Uni-Meereskunde at Berlin publish of Admiral von Tirpitz's policy.

whole of the younger generation. versity.

ed in the following year under the. A searchlight on events leading

The German Navy, he affirmed To these young men groping des-

Colonel von Niedermayer owes title of "Kleine up to the French collapse

in this study-three years

Wehrgeographic later perately for a light to guide them his exceptional position amongst de Weltmeerea"-adopted Admiral has greatly encouraged this cry,

nade generally accessible by

in the bitter task of the recon- the leaders of the present German Wegener's ideas. have the revelations of British po-tary Fublishing house, under the Wegener's criticism

leading German Naval and Mili-struction of German Sea Power, Army to a unique combination of

came as a scholarship, daring and political The manner in which he made. litical manoeuvring which led to title "Seestrategic des Weltkrie- clarion call to another and better ability. A Bavarian stan officer, clear, in carefully veiled yet ut- Britain entering the war inade- ges" had utterly failed to

directed effort, while his emphasis he first

terly unmistakable sprang into the public Germany's interests in and de- language, quately prepared.

derstand the true nature of naval upon the true nature of naval limelight in 1915 when he led the mands upon her northern neigh- But close questioning of those war. Misled by the German tra- warfare struck them with the German Diplomatic Mission 10 who cry "no more party politics" ditions of land

force of revelation. From

bours and her his Afghanistan, warfare, it had

determination:to destined to incite take them under her protection in often discloses that they have no seen in war at sea merely a mili- study, as an ardent young admir- that country against India, through time of war, constitutes a master practical alternative to the party tary clash between the two oper testified a few years later, the the Allied lines and the deserts

piece of tongue-in-the-cheek dip- system. In fact, what they are posing navies and not, as it should

lomacy. usually attacking is the condition have done, a struggle for the

"If," he said "during the World of party politics, or, as Canon command of vital sea communica-

tions.

War the possibilities of an attack Roger Lloyd summed it up in an

The article in the "Spectator"; "Party throughout the war the German

carried over sea against Germany been that

were small, in the present era of politics are necessary to a true democracy

air warfare, this northern front provided they

Navy had concentrated, as though are hypnotised, upon the one idea of isn't the haven of rest and quiet cycle, without any

The countryside round London Wapshott, dashing about on a bi- gains additional importance, Ger-. healthy, and they can only be bringing the Grand Fleet to bat-it used to be.

illumination many has therefore a vivid inter- healthy when they express a true tle under favourable

But at least we and balancing a fire extinguisher est in the maintenance of the full circum- cleavage of principle which really stances in the North Sea, without more space in which to dodge the afterwards to have been almost powers bordering upon these two can offer harassed Londoners on his handlebars, was voted and equal neutrality of the minor -exists in the Nation."

realising that the latter, from the bombs. This view is endorsed by poli-point of view of control of com- cape for a few hours from that

An opportunity to es- as terrifying as the bombs, northern seas, the free use of their.

Around 9:30 we have to admit territorial waters for her mer tical observers, who point out munications, was a "strategically feeling of being shut up in the enemy 'planes are. usually pass- chant shipping and the prevention that the fundamental views of dead area,"

metropolis with bombers avering over our house in more or of an extension of her defensive different politicians are often The proper strategy of the Ger-head, brings visitors for the less constant succession and there fronts in this direction. These only vaguely represented by the man Navy would have been to

may be a good deal of noise from states have been so long immune programme of the parties to which utilise the second exit available

gunfire and bombs. Ten o'clock from attack that they do not con- they belong in fact there is often rak for a flanking advance against

ought to be the visitor's bedtime, stitute themselves a

danger for since he much more similarity between the the British position at Scapa Flow night to our Surrey cottage even rest, but that's the time the head threaten us across them.

needs a good night's us or allow somebody else to. views of certain small groups instead of rushing the Danes in a though, judging by past experi- warden usually telephones me to within one party and those of pol-sudden panic to close and neuence, we are just as likely to be look

"They must however realise iticians in other parties than with trailse it.

that questions of national exis¬ bombed as they are in Kensing-bombs. those members of their own party.

tence have in the last resort to be The German strategic offen- ton or Maida Vale.

solved by force. There is a series This was illustrated in the case sive that should have liberated When we show a visitor the: At 11 o'clock the police have of strategically important posi- of many "young Conservatives" our fleet from painful captivity in spare room, instead of pointing a habit of phoning to ask if any tions in their possession, which:in years immediately preceding the Heligoland Bight had there- proudly to the dahlia bad, we bombs have been located. Also, a war would constitute import- the outbreak of this war.

fore to be the reopening of the now draw attention to the copse my wife may be called out at any ant objectives for a belligerent Their real place appeared to be Belts, an understanding with up the lane," "There's a batch of time, complete with tin hat and wishing to attack his opponent rather in some "Liberal" or Cen-Denmark about the use of her unexploded bombs behind it," we A.R.P. regalia, to act as mes- across them, but equally so for

"So territorial waters and control of explain. tre Party, but none existed.

don't be alarmed senger, using our car.

one merely wishing to defend him- Such a situation should not be the Scandinavian trade route "if there's a big bang in that If bombs drop while she is self against such an attack.

wrote the Admiral,

direction. We've been assured away complications are such, we "I would like to mention here deplored, but rather welcomed,

"The next stage in the progress we are out of range of damage." warn our visitor, he might be merely the South West Coast of clans themselves realise that far-the occupation of the southern bunch of time bombs about the dogs must be stopped barking, a Narrows, Gotland and the Aaland reaching changes are going on to part of Norway, which, it is true, same, distance away on the other quick decision made on whether Islands. If these states wish to. day, extending far beyond party we should first have had to liber-side of the house, but they went to wake the four children and protect their neutrality effectively, limits.

ate from British. oppression. The

off yesterday. We then acquaint marshal them in the supposedly they must take care that its in- Political circles in Britain gen- argument that such a war policy tine of a rural air raid warden's must be kept ouside for "in-real risk to an aggressor.

our visitor with the nightly rou-safest room the hall. Watch tringement should appear Пs a erally tend to support the view carrying our fleets through the that democracy must be based on Belts into the Kattegat would post, and try to give him a rough cldents."

however, to-day is the case only is an with a few amongst them and the party systém. What alterna have been impracticable does not idea of what he may hear so that Midnight dog-exercise

a good look only with great qualifications. tive is there to party politics other hold water. One should not shall be as little disturbed as round, for another view of Lon Their measures of const defence.

even if he is awakened, his, rest opportunity for than dictatorship? But they are full into the error of believing possible.

don fireworks, a thought for the are largely wholly inadequate, mostly ready to admit that there that States which, by the accident We describe how twilight is an Londoners themselves, and oc-

of their geographical position, awkward hour

"And one more point: the poli- is ample opportunity for I have got mixed up in a world war try to sneak round to an arma-nearby cottage folk anxiously and peoples concerned is of vital Enemy planes. otislonally a reassuring chat with tical attitude of the governmentà Frovements in the existing sys between great powers would not ment factory about five miles staying up long past their not importance in determining a truly,

of themselves have felt the most away before searchlight beans mal bed-time, Going to bed neutral attitude. "Within a nation there are urgent necessity for negotiations become effective. It

That National was in ourselves is a lingering process, Socialist Germany has reason for. ways dozens of cleavages," says as well as the desire to keep on this between-light that several protracted. by Canon Lloyd. "The problem is to friendly terms with so powerful machines attacked our little vil-Thereafter our head warden calls anybody who reads the Baltic and a sense of duty serious misgivings in this respect find that cleavage which reaches a factor, as Germany was at that lage recently, dropping twelve up by phone only in an emer-Nordic Press will realise. As for, right down to something vory time.

bombs, demolishing a number of gency. Mostly we sleep though the Importance of Holland's posi- workmen's, cottages, but miracul- the drone of 'planes, the thrump tion in aerial strategy, so much ously causing only, one minor of guns, and the crash of bombs has been written upon it that it is Then you have a party which es will be on international issues fin-casualty.

continues: pouses cach side and then the stend of domestic.

Our visitor's usually sleep, too, here."

merely necessary to touch upon it.

parliamentary system Hng 3-dhancé

especially if they are used to Here then, three years before to work creatively?".

gáttack,' incendiary nights in shelters and the, close- priate in the task of building a bombs were also scattered in the up boom of the London bruge. Ribbentrop's White Book, we find Clearly the did party cleavage new European or even world for- felds and I had my first ex- We can't any longer offer quiet the whole case for the occupation of grantor "social equality will der, when it is hoped lessons of perience of putting them out, Jim, broken only by the song of the of these countries on the plen of cease to be a sufficiently effective the past will be applied chilefly farmhand from up the road, was nightingales, but we can offer a their connivance with an enemy spurto padiamentary virility, the need for the abolition of eco-so excited he couldn't work the bed in a cottage, a hide-out in a of Germany developed in advanco since virtually all those clemente nomic frontier limitations, and for stirrup pump handle.

Surrey lane far from the giant by one of the officers in the closest now constituting Britain's war- some systom of collective security

"Try a bit of dirt," he said as metropolis.

contact with the hends of the Ger-" time government are agreed or which will supcrecde the old nothing but air came out of the Most of all, we half-time Lon-man War Machine, with a subtlety the absolute necessity of greater conception of state sovereignty over

nozzle, :: So we scooped earth doners can pay unbounded tri- of implication that shows clearly. social equality.";

which, has proved so Ineffective white-hot magnesium,

the sputtering lumps of bute to the wonderful courage of how far the German Defence and they those who are Londoners by Forces had travelled from tho Perhaps, therefore, the cleavage against aggression.

went out quile quickly. George night as well as by day,

| blunt frankness of the World War.

JJn

-

through the Kattegat and Skager

By Peter Lyne

around for

#

unexploded

since it shows that British politi-of our offensive would have been We add there was another called on for assistance. The Norway, the Danish-Swedish

tem:

aeop; "and divides the people into

two approximately equal groups.

And this surely will be appro- In this

That,