NINE KILLED.
SIXTY-ONE HURT. Official Toll Of Beer Hall Explosion. NO PROMINENT NAZIS. United Press Association.—Copyright. (Kcci-ivi'd 11.Hit |>.in.) LONDON", November 9. It is officially stated the casualties from the explosion were nine killed and (il injured, of whom 29 are in a serious condition. The dead include two Storm Troopers, who were in the J?eer Hall putsch, a woman cashier, a waiter in the Beer Hall, two members of the broadcasting staff, and two others, all party members. The time boinh exploded with terrific force at it.Ho. It is officially stated front Munich that Hitler himself had left the hall come minutes earlier, having been summoned back to Berlin on important State business. His departure before the scheduled time thus perhaps saved his life. The Ministry of Propaganda says the casualties did not include prominent Nazis, (ioebbels and Hess, the DeputyFuehrer, are believed to have left with Hitler. Von Kibbentrop and Uoering did not attend the meeting. An eye-witness said the explosion canto from above the hall, either from the upper room or under its floor, indicating that the cause was a time bomb. The ceiling of the hall fell, burying some of the occupants under the debris.
A Xazi guard said in an interview that while the audience was filing out there was suddenly a terrific explosion, and the ceiling collated on the screaming men and women. The police immediately took charge. The blackout was lifted to facilitate the rescue work. Many of those injured were in a serious condition. Telephone communication between Berlin and Munich was cut olf for several hours after the explosion. The official Herman news agency said clues pointed to the plot having originated abroad. It added that fanatical rage prevailed in Munich. The German Press blames the British Secret Service for what is admitted to be an attempt on Hitler's life. The Paris radio suggests that the Gestapo itself may have made the attempt. The incident created great confusion in Xazi propaganda circles and conflicting reports were issued before the official statement was made, blaming "foreign instigation" for the attempt, flreat surprise has been caused by the incident, as Hitler's guards have been increased since the war. This is the third explosion in Germany since the war started. The others, which caused little damage, occurred outside the Air Ministry and outside the police headquarters.
IS INCREDIBLE. Accusation Blaming Foreigners. NEWSPAPER COMMENT. XEW YOKK, November 9. "The accusation in official German quarters that the attempted assassination of Hitler seems traceable to foreign instigators is incredible on the face of the event itself," says the "New York Times" in a leading article. "The attempt took place at a party rally which brought together the most important leaders governing the regime. Nobody who knows how diligently these affairs are managed, with what meticulous care the premises are searched before the meetings, and what elaborate precautions are taken against the slightest risk, will be able to believe that foreign instigators, even if they wished, could have cut through the iron guard surrounding the Reich celebrities and plant an explosive in the very shrine of National Socialism. "It is possible that among tlie original Xazi zealots there are some who have believed so long and passionately in the original doctrine of undying enmity to Bolshevism that they were prepared to avenge what they considered an opportunist betrayal of that faith. This suspicion will gain credence if the explosion is followed by another drastic purge."
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Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 266, 10 November 1939, Page 7
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576NINE KILLED. Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 266, 10 November 1939, Page 7
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