RUMOURS IN GERMANY

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 37, 14 February 1938, Page 9

RUMOURS IN GERMANY

NERVOUSNESS EXTENDS

PEOPLE SCEPTICAL

(United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.)

'LONDON, February 11

The nervousness in German Government quarters has extended to all classes, says the Berlin correspondent of "The Times." The wildest rumours continue owing to the silence of the German Press and the confiscation of thirty-five of the foreign newspapers. ! ,

Inhere is no question that Germany, in this week's .welter,, of rumours, has been the victim of its own taste for the dramatic in politics and of the secrecy about the background to the decision of February 4. The mass of the Berlin public is most sceptical about the Government's explanation of those decisions, and consequent speculations are a fruitful- source of disquiet.

Well-informed persons, however, feel' that the discontent among sections of 'army officers is unlikely to'cause the Government great embarrassment, although the decisions of February 4 can scarcely be regarded as a final settlement .of relations between the Nazi Party and the'army. . '

Meanwhile German Press discussions are confined to criticism of most of the countries of Europe.

A HASTY BETOKT.

Herr Berndt, director of the press department, after a statement to foreign Pressmen, was told by a Dutch correspondent that foreign countries were not satisfied1 with his explanations, whereupon he became truculent and made an. uncalled-for reference to the recent Dutch royal birth.-

The Dutch Minister is calling at the Foreign -Office to ascertain exactly, what Herr Berndt said about Princess Juliana and'her baby.

According to the Berlin correspondr en't'.of the "News Chronicle," Herr Berndt said: "Do you' doubt the word of the German Government? Do you think we are liars? What would you say if I were to spread the rumour that your Princess Juliana's baby was not really hers?"

The remark was later described by Dutch diplomatic circles as "typical German' manners." •

The Warsaw correspondent of the "Daily Telegraph" says that, Polish newspapers, in spite of an official German statement, continue to assert that the situation in Germany is critical, and i that the army's dissatisfaction over the recent political and military changes is widespread.