If hatred and vengeance, those two alien poisons, are to
provide an excuse for horrors which we shall be unable to prevent, but which we can mitigate, then indeed some dread infection will assail our national character and repute. There are signs already that hatred is being artificially stimulated by the suggestion that those Germans who keep aloof from us are guilty of "arrogance," whereas those who try to collaborate are lacking in all human dignity. How can we hope to re-educate Germany if we behave to the Germans exactly as the Nazis have behaved in the territories which they occupied? If, on the other hand, we are prepared ourselves to make further sacrifices in order to diminish, if only by a small proportion, the coming death-rate in Germany, then we can in all sincerity claim that we practise Christian principles as well as preach them. I am not suggesting for a moment that Displaced Persons of Allied origin should not received priority of treatment ; I am suggesting only that, within the measure of the possible, German Displaced Persons should not be allowed to starve. There are those who sincerely believe that all Germans are evil and deserve terrible punishment : I have lived long in Germany and I know that the vast majority of Germans, although prone to inhumanity and devoid of political intelligence, are capable under wise government of great domestic and civic virtues. The re-education of Germany can never be effected by precept ; it can only be effected by example, and if the example that we give them is one of indifference to human misery, then indeed we shall have failed in our opportunity. The fact is, however, that we shall not remain indifferent ; when starvation and death comes to the German people the conscience of this country will be aroused, but unless we face the facts bravely today, then our conscience will arrive too late.
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