Denialism and revisionism, 4-20-1934
Recent chimney work recovered fragments of an April 20, 1934 newspaper - likely placed there during or shortly after construction.
I found this short report on the back pages and found it's willful ignorance illuminating.
The full text:
GERMAN WAR THREAT BLUFF, WATT ASSERTS
Bark Seen Worse Than Bite; Government Defended
Terming the militaristic declarations of Germany, 'a loud bluff,' Donald B. Watt, former Men's personnel director at Syracuse university, Presented a serious defense of German fascism, before a meeting of the student International Relations club, in the college commons cafeteria of Slocum Hall, yesterday noon.
"When Germany went fascist, it was because the state of the country made either fascism or communism inevitable," declared Mr. Watt.; "I believe that liberalsm (sic), in this case, was justified. The rise of fascism in Germany was one of the most bloodless major revolutions in the history of the world.
"The common criticism of Germany, because of her militaristic inclinations, is wholly unjustified," said the speaker, who spent six months on a tour of Europe during the past year. "Germany is in no position to fight any of her neighbors. She knows it and so do other European nations. If Germany and France were to fight, the French, with their 3,750 airplanes, could wipe out the Germans within 24 hours."
March Constantly
Declaring his love of peace, the speaker said: "When I first entered Germany I could not get used to the constant marching in the streets, the drills and the defense sports. When the people stated that this military training was for internal prowess, I was not convinced; but I am convinced that it is engaged in purely for discipline and morale, now. Hitler realizes that it would be only a matter of weeks before Germany capitulated, in case of war. It is clear to the German people that fighting would be national suicide."
In speaking of the treatment accorded the women and Jews in Germany, the speaker blamed the situation on the critical state of economic welfare within the nation.
Afterword
It is interesting to note that the Nazi party had only recently succeeded in outlawing other political parties and is not mentioned by name. By accident or design, this implies there was little opposition to these trends. Wikipedia notes the party seized power while controlling less than half of the seats in parliament.
Denialism and revisionism, 4-20-1934
Recent chimney work recovered fragments of an April 20, 1934 newspaper - likely placed there during or shortly after construction.
I found this short report on the back pages and found it's willful ignorance illuminating.
The full text:
GERMAN WAR THREAT BLUFF, WATT ASSERTS
Bark Seen Worse Than Bite; Government Defended
Terming the militaristic declarations of Germany, 'a loud bluff,' Donald B. Watt, former Men's personnel director at Syracuse university, Presented a serious defense of German fascism, before a meeting of the student International Relations club, in the college commons cafeteria of Slocum Hall, yesterday noon.
"When Germany went fascist, it was because the state of the country made either fascism or communism inevitable," declared Mr. Watt.; "I believe that liberalsm (sic), in this case, was justified. The rise of fascism in Germany was one of the most bloodless major revolutions in the history of the world.
"The common criticism of Germany, because of her militaristic inclinations, is wholly unjustified," said the speaker, who spent six months on a tour of Europe during the past year. "Germany is in no position to fight any of her neighbors. She knows it and so do other European nations. If Germany and France were to fight, the French, with their 3,750 airplanes, could wipe out the Germans within 24 hours."
March Constantly
Declaring his love of peace, the speaker said: "When I first entered Germany I could not get used to the constant marching in the streets, the drills and the defense sports. When the people stated that this military training was for internal prowess, I was not convinced; but I am convinced that it is engaged in purely for discipline and morale, now. Hitler realizes that it would be only a matter of weeks before Germany capitulated, in case of war. It is clear to the German people that fighting would be national suicide."
In speaking of the treatment accorded the women and Jews in Germany, the speaker blamed the situation on the critical state of economic welfare within the nation.
Afterword
It is interesting to note that the Nazi party had only recently succeeded in outlawing other political parties and is not mentioned by name. By accident or design, this implies there was little opposition to these trends. Wikipedia notes the party seized power while controlling less than half of the seats in parliament.