ceased streaming out of it into the Western zone — of these unfortunates we receive some 600 refugees daily, and their number has now passed fifteen million; the economic and social crises this causes need hardly be described. Perhaps this phenomenon is the strongest proof that the people of the Eastern zone... how shall I put it?... are not living in bliss!
The memory of Hitler?
I asked her: How does the memory of Hitler live in German hearts? She answered, marks of gloom rising to her face: The leaders of thought and most of the people in Germany are happy that Hitler's era has passed. Only now have they regained the freedom they lost in his day... And perhaps the peoples of the world are today more understanding than ever of the meaning of 'freedom'...
What of our country?
We then passed to the second part of the interview: what are Dr. von Müller's impressions of our country?
The gracious guest sighed... and expressed her sincere thanks to all who had eased her task of traveling and of meeting people, for she had met with such varieties of hospitality and kindness as filled her heart with delight and admiration.
She appreciates the innocent, sincere affection that the Arabs bear the Germans. She felt it with full clarity, because many of those she met on her travels turned away from her at first, supposing her to be English; but they were quick to beam and brighten toward her the moment they discovered she was German!
Her purpose in the journey:
In answer to another question, the doctor said that she would turn her experiences, observa
tions, and impressions of the Arab countries she had visited into lectures, radio talks, and articles, so as to reveal to the German people, so far as she could, certain important aspects that have until now remained beyond its understanding.
She expressed her utter astonishment at some of what she had seen. Petra, in her view, is one of the wonders of the world — it stands in a class by itself, unlike any other historical monument on earth. She was delighted by the sights of Baalbek and Palmyra and the mountain of the Cedars, but her descent by airplane at Petra sent through her body a shiver, and an experience unique and unforgettable!
The Arabs live by their hearts, the Germans by their minds:
On the social and human plane, Dr. von Müller expressed her astonishment at the many activities that people here undertake out of volunteering and humanity, while in Germany they rest upon the governments... She chose to explain this phenomenon by saying that we live by the inspiration of our kind hearts, while the Germans live by the inspiration of their minds and nothing more...
The Lebanese has no need to travel:
What struck me particularly in Dr. von Müller was that constructive positive spirit... she sees the merits and turns her eyes from the faults. She said to me: What does it matter to her if the roads are dirty and some of the children barefoot, so long as the nature of your country is of such charm and clearness? And so long as human nature here is of such goodness and generosity?
She understands now the secret of the Lebanese's longing for their country, and does not wonder that they stay in it with
no desire to travel abroad. For here they have everything the soul yearns for — of matter and of spirit!
But I explained to her an aspect of economic life that drives the Lebanese to emigrate.
She observed, finally, that the Lebanese enjoys freedom more than any other among the Arab peoples, and she hoped his freedom would remain his, for it is man's most precious possession! And she wished all the Arabs freedom and security as well...
Working for peace:
She was deeply moved by the tragedies and woes she witnessed in the camps of the Palestinian refugees, and she believes that the solution of this problem lies not by way of stirring up hatreds and rancors, but by way of working for peace: peace in the home with husband and children, peace in society, and peace in the world.
And shortly before her departure by airplane, Dr. von Müller sent her warm greetings to all whom she had come to know in these countries, and her deep thanks for all the help they had extended to her, hoping that one day she might be able to receive them with honor in her own country.
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