" STRENGTH THROUGH JOY "
Sw,—Mr. Harold Nicolson looks forward to the introduction of a system similar to "Kraft durch Freude," calling the latter "one at least of the more humane devices which the Nazis evolved." If a person like Mr. Nicolson gets impressed by such a scheme, how could it be expected from the average Germans, who, having no solid political, historical or economical knowledge, in the long run of the Hider regime were wrapped in into many other " humane "-looking schemes, to be prepared for criticism and objection? The K.D.F. journeys were a propaganda scheme. The steamers pretended to be bUilt for this purpose were actually in- tended for the use of the navy when the appropriate occasion arrived. The scheme procured work for a big range of K.D.F. employees (clerical staff), made use of the railway lines (while a pseudo-flourishing economy enabled the more well-to-do to use the motor-car) and fixed accommoda- tion in small communities (thus supplying trade and traffic to remote areas), the result of which making their inhabitants not altogether happier, for very often the former, though fewer, but better-paying guests then avoided these now crowded places bereft of peace and privacy.
I will not deny the pleasure a lot of Germans may have found by these journeys, yet I have seen another great proportion who got bored and kept themselves occupied with consuming food and playing cards, for both of these activities they do not have to cover miles. Criticism can go a step further, and you may say that the whole scheme was intended to try out the method of operating mass transport. Applicable too is the statement that the State wanted to occupy its subjects even after duty and not to give them time to let their brains fly to individual in- vestigatory explorations. For :the sake of the free individual, don't let the State interfere with the leisure hours of its subjects. From there it is only a small step to totalitarianism. In a well-functioning economy the individual will be able to dispose of some additional means for its holidays so long as the Government looks after unrestricted travel and unlimited currency exchange.—Yours respectfully, VITA LOERBROKS. 17 Seelhorststrasse, Hanover.
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