FUEHRER’S ESCAPE

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 254, 24 July 1944, Page 5

FUEHRER’S ESCAPE

‘‘Unwavering Loyalty” Of Troops (Rcceivel July 23, 7.5 p.m.) LONDON, July 22. There still has been no personal broadcast from any German Army officer on the Hitler plot. The German news agency today, however, quoted a telegram from „the German comma nder-in-chief on the Western front, Field-Marshal von Kluge, to Hitler, expressing gratitude for the Feuhrer’s escape and assuring him of the troops’ •'unwavering loyalty.” According to travellers from the capital quoted by the "Evening Standard’s” Stockholm correspondent, Berlin is described as an armed camp,with S.S. troops milling everywhere in the ruins and machineguns at most city corners and public buildings. The correspondent adds that the nervousness of Berliners had been increased by reported mutinies on the eastern front which are stated to have necessitated the transfer of many divisions to other sectors of the front and to the rear. Several regiments are reported to have been shot to the last man under Himmler’s ruthless orders. The following order of the day issued by Hitler to the German Army is quoted by the German news agency:—“Soldiers of the army: A small circle of unscrupulous officers has made an attempt to murder me and the General Staff and seize power in the State. Providence caused the attempt to miscarry. By the immediate and vigorous action of loyal officers and men of the army at home, the traitor clique was wiped out or arrested in the matter of a few hours. I expected nothing else. J know that, as hitherto, you will fight with exemplary obedience and loyalty till the victory is ours iu suite of all.” Mussolini inspected Italian divisions training in Germany, according to an announcement from Hitler’s headquarters over Berlin radio. Mussolini later visited Hitler at his headquarters, where discussions went on "in a spirit of great cordinjity.” Goering, von Ribbentrop, von Keitel. Count Graziani and Anfttso, the German Ambassador in Italy, were present- The radio said that the troops received the Duce enthusiastically. Hirohito’s Sympathy. Tokio official radio says that the Empcror Hirohito cabled Hitler: "Heart-felt sympathy on the occasion of the attempt on the Fuehrer’s life.” The first 'photographs of Hitler since the attempted assassination were published in Berlin newspapers today, the German radio says. One shows Hitler. Himmler, Goering and Mussolini conversing. The Fuehrer looks fresh and healthy and hi.s face shows no trace of the slight burns be received. The radio announced that the head of the Protestant Church and all the Catholic Bishops have ordered prayers of thanks for Hitler's escape to lie said on Sunday. General Blaselle. chief of Petain’s military Cabinet, called on the German -epresenta lives in Vichy to convey Petain's indignation at the attempt on Hitler's life. The Norwegian Telegraph Agency quotes reports from Oslo that German police iu Norway have been ordered to stand by for any emergency. Special restrictions are stated Io have been placed on troops. Hundreds of officers, many of them highly placed, were shot by Himmler's firing squads in Berlin.