Spider and Fly

Slickest bullying trick of Nazi spider-fly diplomacy is to invite victims to Berlin, turn their heads with official flattery, parades and feasts, then scare them out of their wits with a stunning display of German military might given, of course, in their honor.

In Berlin one day last week all workers were given a half holiday with pay. Factories, shops and offices hung out yards of gay Yugoslav flags distributed by Propaganda Minister Dr. Goebbels, while their employes marched in masses to allotted cheering stations along the troop-lined streets. Out of his special train stepped puzzled-looking, Oxford-bred Regent Prince Paul, whom Germans quickly nicknamed "Prince Charming." In his most winning manner Herr Hitler greeted the Prince while Frau Goering handed Princess Olga, the Regent's wife, a bouquet of roses, welcomed her to Naziland.

That night at a lavish State dinner, Fuehrer Hitler and Regent Prince Paul exchanged toasts that would make Balkan, perhaps European, history.

Said Herr Hitler of German-Yugoslav friendship: ". . . Through historic events we have become neighbors with common borders established for all time. . . ."

Said prudent Prince Paul: "I am very happy . . . that the great German Reich . . . intends to recognize her [Yugoslavia's] freedom and independence as well as the same [Austrian] frontiers which have joined us as lasting neighbors since last year."

Next day came the military display. While 265 planes zoomed overhead, Herr Hitler obligingly showed his princely guests how lucky it is to be Germany's friend. He underlined his point with a two-and-one-half-hour military review, made princely eyes bug out with three new 25-ton tanks, mounting one 75-mm. gun, one 37-mm. gun, three machine guns. Carped critics: three-quarters of the parade was motorized but only 20% of the German Army is. Observers thought Prince Paul was less likely to quibble about percentages.

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