NAZI WAR MINISTER IN TROUBLE

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 110, 3 February 1938, Page 11

NAZI WAR MINISTER IN TROUBLE

Army Disapproves Of His Marriage DISAPPEARANCE FROM OFFICE EXPECTED By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. (Received February 2, 11.45 p.m.) London, February 2. The Bewlin correspondent of “The Times” says that according to current reports a communique announcing important changes in Government can be expected shortly. z A mass of rumours agree in the prediction that there will be a disappearance of- Marshall von Blomberg from the Ministry of War. There is feverish activity behind the scenes in connection with the reconstruction of the regime. The correspondent adds that if von Blomberg retires it will be because of bis wedding. His marriage to a lady of humbler social class than that from which officers’ wives are usually drawn has caused great resentment in the army, which continues to follow a conservative social code. ‘ The problem is complicated by the fact that Herr Hitler and General Goering were witnesses at the wedding, but von Blomberg is reported to have contributed to a solution by asking to be relieved of his duties. AH gossips have it that he will not return to active service. The appointment of a successor has undoubtedly caused many difficult personal administrative problems. General Goering is the obvious candidate. The Nazi regime naturally would like to see the armed forces brought immediately under the direction of a member of the party, but the army is reported to be urging the appointment of one of its own officers, preferably General von Reichenau. A message yesterday stated : The Berlin correspondent of the ’’Daily Telegraph” states that the Minister of Defence, Marshal von Bloinb'erg, is likely to return from his honeymoon in Italy to find that his secret marriage to his 29-year-old secretary, Fraulein Gruhu, has created a situation requiring the highest diplomacy; and has caused a storm of criticism in the army, where the ’’matrimonial affairs of young officers are subject to the strictest rules. Emulation of the War Minister’s example would be disastrous to their careers.