COUP D'ETAT

Evening Post, Volume CXIV, Issue 18, 21 July 1932, Page 11

COUP D'ETAT

DRAMATIC SUCCESS

HAILED BY HITLER

(Received 21st July, 1 p.m.)

BERLIN, 20th July

Tho coup d'etat came with dramatic suddenness and ■.astonishing success. A single day restored Junker rule over twothirds of-Germany, where the "Junkers now occupy every key Governmental position in token of which machine guns are lining tho Wilhclmstrasso "arid other official centres of the' capital.

Dr. yon Papcn's coup has been hailed with delight by the followers of Hitlci and Ilindenburg, who have both been blaming the Prussian- Government for the recent political rioting. Rumour? are- current that the Government "Con-1 templates a decree declaring the .Communist Party illegal, but in view of the ■ fact" that it numbers five ■ million, the 'Government may hesitate to take"such a drastic step> The action of tho Reich Government is meeting with severo condemnation from Socialists and Catholics, who represent at least half the electorate in Germany, find the Socialist rulers of Prussia declined to accept the coup. Herr Severing, who had been in. control of ninety thousand Prussian police, defiantly refused to vacate his office, oxpressing doubts as to the legality of the action of the Reich Government.' Sovering at fiist refused1 to hand ovpr hib powers to Braehf, but surrendered unconditionally , when Bracht actually threatened him with arrest. Herr Grzesinski; Chief of the" Prussian Police, and his assistants, who also refused to hand over their .posts to Ibo military, were taken to gaol, 'but icleased later.

The All Genuan Trade Union Feder ationis considering a general striko, but fear, it ''will lead to the annulment of the General Election. Moreover- there.,are an .unlimited number, of Nazis ready to step into the vacant jobs. - ■;■ Dr. yon Papen; broadcasting throughout Germany this■ evening, said-'that tho • Prussian., Government .was under Communist influence and the Communists were aligned in a united irdnt with the Prussian "authorities against Ilitlerism. ; Dr.- yon Papen; added his belief that the Prussian' high officials had , clandestine sympathies with tcr^ rorist organisations. • The present stringent poasures/werp.notJaimed against Prussian1. spvereigiity,'but 'designed,.to, cleanse tho administration -of all donnoction with Communism, •' There was every intention;.to hold the Reichstag elections on 31st -July. < . -•'■" .'■ :■-.