English Translation

- 15 - The countries between the Baltic Sea and the Aegean Sea have a total population of more than 100 million people. They are clearly aware of the Russian danger, and the brief experience that some of them had with the Russian occupation in 1939 leaves no doubt in them about what an annexation by Russia would mean in practice. Even the Czechs, whose attitude towards Russia was always benevolent, are deeply concerned. If the Germans were not so hated by their barbarisms and if they could only offer the eastern and south-eastern countries of Europe the slightest prospect of genuine independence, they could count on allies who would be very powerful in their entirety. Today it is a weakness of Germany that its political system is extremely strict. If, as defeat approaches, it is able to change this system and free itself from Hitler, Himmler, Göring and Goebbels and become liberal, it can still gain a considerable increase in power. It is certainly more claimed by its eastern front than by any other front. It carries out a strategic retreat of great extent to the obvious purpose of shortening this front and making it impregnable. Even if Germany would like to capitulate to the Western Allies, it can hardly be assumed that Russia would be capitulated against it, except that it would be so completely broken and demoralized that it could not escape any such catastro- phal fate. On the other hand, it is probably true that if the war goes on, it will endeavour to close a separate peace - not in unfavourable conditions for Russia.