GERMAN LEADERS CONFER

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 24022, 10 August 1943, Page 5

GERMAN LEADERS CONFER

Allied And Neutral Comment “ GROUPS STRUGGLING FOR POWER” (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 1.15 a.m.) LONDON. Aug. 9. “A great behind-the-scenes struggle is being waged in Germany,” reports the Stockholm correspondent of the “Daily Express.” ‘‘From the maze ot reports and rumours coming from inside Germany after the conference- of Nazi Party and war leaders at Hitler’s headquarters, this picture emerges of the way events are shaping. ‘‘There are three main contending groups. The first is Hitler himself—now become a lonely, incalculable figure from whom much of his military and political power has been taken. Appearances increasingly indicate that Hitler will be kept in power only as long as it suits the convenience of the other two groups, who are conspiring against him and also against one another, but the revolt may not come to a head for months. “The second is the left wing of the Nazis, led by Himmler and Goebbels, both of whom are seeking increased power, and also the Bavarian, Bormann, who is one of the few Nazi chiefs still having regular access to Hitler. Bormann s personal power in all home front matters has grown so much that his rivals talk sarcastically of the Bormann dictatorship. "The third group is the ‘old school’ group, comprising several mutually hostile parties who are united temporarily by disdain for Hitler and jealousy against Goebbels and Himmer and wish to find an easy way to extricate the Reich from its troubles. This group includes high German officers headed by Marshal von Haider, Marshal von Manstein, and Goering, and also big industrialists headed by Schacht, who has renounced party membership and broken off contact with the Government. Confusion Seen in Policy “Among these three big groups a great bcnind-the-scenes struggle is oeing waged similar to that wmch led to Mussolini’s fall. It is because ot this struggle that there is so much confusion in German propaganda and war policy. All groups must probably keep Hitler in power for the time being, - for the sake of morale, but there is no doubt that if it becomes clear that the war is going fatally for the Reich one or more of these groups will try an experiment, staging a shopwindow rebellion in Germany. “While all this intrigue goes on, reports agree that a wave of bewilderment and despondency is sweeping through ordinary German homes.” According to a report from diplomatic quarters in Madrid a triumvirate composed of Marshal von Keitel, Admiral Doenitz, and Goering is the now real ruler of the Reich.” “The discussions which have just been held at the Fuehrer’s headquarters are the natural climax ot the sustained and successful Allied pressure against the Axis, 'which made a stock-taking in Germany necessary," says “The Times,” in a leading article, “Germany has now come to a clear crisis in the war. Her leaders have seriously to consider their future action both on the fighting front and the home front.” Russian Front The 8.8.C., broadcasting to the Germans, said that the military leaders attending Hitler’s conference had suggested that the Russian front should be shortened by a withdrawal to behind the Dnieper. The Nazi Party leaders had admitted that such a withdrawal would greatly relieve the pressure on German resources, but objected on the ground that this move would dangerously affect home front morale. Swedish newspapers say that the German Army’s morale is- still fairly good, but the home front is tottering; underground anti-Nazi organisations are becoming more active, and more and more people are discarding their Nazi Party badges; the younger navy men are showing increasing reluctance to volunteer for submarine service; Nazi leaders who visit bombed areas are being met with angry crowds demanding food, protection, and peace; refugees from bombed areas arriving at rest colonies are described as being in a complete state of mental and physical collapse; six months ago every death sentence for any offence against the war effort was trumpeted loudly throughout Germany, but now executions are carried out with the greatest secrecy. The Algiers radio says that only 50,000 people are now living in Hamburg, which had a population of 1,000,000 before the heavy Allied raids. The Berlin radio has announced that more than 1,000,000 women and children will be evacuated from Berlin. Those remaining will stay at their posts during working hours, and women off duty will perform necessary A.R.P. duties.

CONSULTATION BY ALLIES “RAPIDLY CHANGING SITUATION” (Rec. 9 p.m.) LONDON, Aug 8. "Mr Churchill recognises, as much as Mr Slalin and Mr Roosevelt, that now as never before during the war there is every need for quick decisions and swift action,” says the diplomatic correspondent of the “Daily Mail.” “Consultations among all three Governments. therefore, have been more or less continuous during the last fortnight. They are about to reach the final, important stage. "The rapidly changing situation in Europe, where Hitler is losing what was once a stranglehold, compels these fresh deliberations. They are concerned with one single object—complete victory. It is asserted in Whitehall that the Allies must be ready to seize the right opportunity in all places and at all times to hit Hitler hard, but that they also must be prepared for the manv difficulties which Hitler and his henchmen will put in their way.” The correspondent continues: "The words used to me by an authoritative person with long experience and sound judgment were: ‘Mussolini has gone, but Hitler is not finished Don’t let people imagine that Hitler’s end will come until he has wriggled for the very last time. One thing is clear from all the information from Germany—that the German people have not lost faith in Hitler. They may doubt the Nazis and their set-up of Ministers and generals, but they still believe in Hitler and do not doubt that he will find a way. out for them. This belief in Hitler is something the Allies must kill before they can defeat Germany. There is greater need than ever for real cooperation and the closest collaboration among the Allies.’ , , “These words may be regarded as summing up the reaction in Londonto Hitler’s latest conferences with his generals and Ministers, and to many renorts from Germany about condi[ions there,” concludes the correspondent. SHOPS LOOTED IN CATANIA LONDON, Aug. 8. "Catania was the scene of an orgy of looting by the civilian P o Pulat|on for three hours following its fall, says Reuter's correspondent with the 8t Army. "The irst British troops passing through Catania in pursuit of the re treating Germans saw strange scenes as the looters raided shops. The local nolice stood by helplessly until British security troops arrived and restoied order. Men and women engaged in wild fighting, slapping, and scratching at each other for possession of the few articles which the Germans left behind Even children fought for toys which were torn apart in the struggle.