Comeback in the West
Sir:
That was a grand piece on Germany's economic renaissance [TIME, Feb. 15], food for thought for all of us. History is replete with such examples. After the War of 1870, Germany saddled France with a gold indemnity which, it was estimated, would take a full generation to pay. By that time, thought Bismarck, the French would be "Germanicized" . . . And German troops were stationed throughout France until it should be paid. So hated were the German garrisons, that the French went to work with a will−exports flowed out, gold flowed in, and within three years the indemnity had been paid . . . But, the spirit of thrift and hard work remained, and France came into her days of greatest power and wealth. "The next time Germany wins a war," said Bismarck, "we will pay an indemnity−we will not collect one."
REGINALD W. TICKNER Bay Head, NJ.
Sir:
. . .Is the German success also due to the fact that they got rid of obsolete plants and machines through bombings and dismantling and started anew with more efficient ones?
A. E. WOLLMAN Montreal
Sir:
What a perfect brainwashing job you performed in the German "miracle." First Dr. Adenauer as Man of the Year, now the master race of the century . . . From Frederick the Great to Scharnhorst to Bismarck the Germans were always efficient conquerors and killers. Now they appear as conquering businessmen . . .
Who is footing the bill? The American taxpayer! ... As the saying goes in Germany: "U.S.A. stands for United Suckers of America."
T. H. TETENS Coytesville, NJ.
Sir:
... I fail to see the reasonableness of a complaint on the part of other European countries, who were allies on the victorious side over Germany, and are now laboring under worse economic conditions than Germany ... It is to the credit of the Germans hat with this foreign help−though not with he financial help alone−they pulled themelves up again. It shows the will to do better in the future . . .
For heaven's sake, let some of the countries forget the old ... fear of a reoccurring German aggression. With the young generation getting a democratic education ... in a free union of countries, it will be a peaceful and worthy member ... I, a. born German, but years in the U.S., say let's all work toether−we can if we want to−and make this our earth a wonderful place for children to grow up in and live for.
THEA MERSMANN Casper, Wyo.
The Word About Furphy
Sir: