By last week it was clear, on evidence from several sources, that Adolf Hitler presented no direct demands to Joseph Stalin before his invasion of Russia. On the contrary, while Stalin waited for demands the German Army made ready. When it was ready it marched. Germany had wanted war. Why?
Not to get the resources of Russia for wartime use; war would further disorganize Russia's badly organized productive capacity. Not, as Hitler claimed, to keep Russia from attacking Germany; Hitler knew that Russia would not dare to attack Germany. Germany attacked Russia partly to win anti-Communist support all over the world, more particularly to rid the continent of Europe of the last obstacle to immediate German domination: the Red Army.
Peace by Persuasion? If that Army is destroyed, German domination of the continent will be complete. Even if British land power maintains its slippery foothold in Africa and the Middle East, there will be no power but Germany left in Continental Europe. Little imagination was needed, therefore, to foresee a Hitler peace drive if Russia is beaten—a peace drive ending, if Hitler has his way, in a 1941 Munich settlement.
Hitler, the conqueror, could say: "I have the continent; you cannot dislodge me." Hitler, the geographical claustrophobe, could say: "The German people now have their living space." Hitler, the crusader, could say: "I have destroyed Communism, the menace." Hitler, the man of peace, could say: "Now let's all live cozily together."
Such an offer would appeal to many kinds of appeaser: in the U.S. to Red-hating appeasers as well as isolationist appeasers, in Britain to Munich-minded appeasers who believe that Britain's destiny is in the Empire. It would not appeal to those who see in Hitlerism a fearsome way of life, nor to those who see no way to do business with Hitler and remain free, nor to those who see that one Munich leads to another—and to war.
Peace by Force? Since World War II began, Hitler has never been able to bring himself openly to ask for peace. After the conquest of Poland he made an oblique offer ("there can only be real peace ... if Germany and England come to an understanding") which he later told the German people was a genuine request. The German people have lately become restive, weary of war (TIME, June 30). Said the Nazi Party organ NS Kurier last week: "Whenever and wherever we observe people we notice over and over again little feeling of interest shown in great events of this war. This terrible immaterial behavior is so unbearable that the Government should take steps against it."
Faced by this feeling, Hitler might even try to force a peace. If he conquered Russia, he might propose to stop fighting. He might proclaim his long-awaited European Confederation, begin producing his long-touted New Order, stand before the world as the organizer of Europe. He might make trade offers to Latin America, count on do-nothing sentiment in the U.S. and Latin-American pressure on Britain to soften up the U.S. and Britain for appeasement.