Reports concerning the alleged low morale of the German people and soldiers, no matter how interesting they may be, need to be accepted with considerable reserve, especially at such an early stage of hostilities, for they are more likely to be the result of wishful thinking than based upon any solid foundation in fact. That there may be some discontent already existing in Germany may be taken for granted, for the nation has been plunged into war at a time when they are ill-fitted to stand it. Up to the present, however, they have not felt the weight of the Allied blockade as it will be felt in the course of a few more months. On the other hand there are factors which do not tend to improve German morale. The lengthening of working hours without adequate remuneration, the poor food supplies, and the very fact that they are engaged in that war which Herr Hitler promised he would save them from, together with the fact that he has now no longer brilliant successes to announce with which to bolster no the spirits of the people must have a deteriorate ing effect upon the willingness of the German people to fight. Again the inaction which at present prevails must in the circumstances have la far different effect upon German morale than that of the Allies, with whom entirely different circumstances prevail. Undoutedly there are many Germans highly critical of Herr Hitler's surrender to the Soviet and the letters invasion of Finland, for, despite all the Ndzi propaganda in the world, no one will believe that there exists in Germany that s t unanimity upon which its leaders insist, What strength that opposition has at present is unascertainable, land it would be better if it were generally accepted at the moment as not being possessed of that weight which it may acquire as the war progresses. It may, however, be confidently as sumed that, as this war of inaction continues, nerves in Germany will suffer increasing strain, while should Herr Hitler indulge in any of his many spectacular plans, and prove them costly in defeat, present subterranean discontent may easily be fanned into open rebellion. That is the end to which the Allies are exerting every effort, with the hope that it will come sooner rather than later. The present, however, is no time to indulge in premature optimism) The deadly effect of the blockade has yet to be felt to the utmost, and when that happens will be the time to count upon a real weakening of the German morale.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.