HITLER'S DEATH

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIX, Issue 103, 3 May 1945, Page 7

HITLER'S DEATH

SEEN AS POSSIBLE RUSE

LONDON, May 2,

The Exchange Telegraph agency's Parliamentary correspondent says some members of the House of Commons are inclined to regard the announcement of Hitler's death as a ruse to facilitate his escape. The Press Association says Hitler's death may have occurred a week ago, when Himmler announced that he was suffering from a cerebral hemorrhage, and was not likely to survive two days longer.' Moscow radio, at 3.30 a.m. today, broadcast the report of Hitler's death, calling it a trick by which the German Fascists hope to prepare the way for him to go underground. The reports of Hitler's death left New Yorkers cold, says the "New York Times." They stopped only briefly in a chill rain to glance at the headlines and shrug in disbelief before diving like moles in^o the suttways. Scepticism was the most dominant reaction. There was no cheering, only subdued gloating. Eight out of 10 persons expressed the opinion that it was a Nazi fake or said they were trying to palm off Hitler's double.

The "Herald-Tribune's" Washington correspondent states that renewed ten-, sion over the expected surrender of Germany rose in Washington with the report of Hitler's death. President Truman apparently shared the sceptical view regarding the report expressed at the White House and in various Government departments, where warnings were issued that it might be only a Nazi trick. "ALMOST TOO PERFECT." The British United Press diplomatic correspondent says: "Hitler's death is almost too perfect. At no moment in I his, career could he have died with better effect in order to be created a Nazi or German saint, and the first announcement of his death shows this to be the Nazi aim." The "Daily Telegraph" says: "The announcement that Hitler died in action fighting against Bolshevism was no doubt a polite figure of speech. The wording of the German announcement breathes a Nazi intention to deify Hitler—to turn him into Saint Adolf—and it is probable that to this end he was sacrificed by the inner group of Nazis still controlling what is left of the Reich and of which Himmler is probably the leader. The timing is perfect." The "Daily Telegraph" says in an editorial: "The disappearance of the figure which to millions has been an incarnation of fear and horror for so long makes the world a cleaner and sweeter place. The most likely reason for the appointment of Doenitz as Hitler's successor is that part of the gang have rejected Himmier's lead for capitulation and are attempting to carry on the earlier plans for continued resistance."

The -Daily Mail" says: "Never has any being in all the annals of recorded time been so steeped in murder and destruction as this man, who has been so deservedly hated and universally reviled. He will keep company in history., with the Neros and Torquemadas, but he will out-top them all." "He snatched power at a moment when moral conviction and mutual trust were at a low ebb among the democratic Governments, and it is for democracy to ensure that no sixch moment shall recur," comments the "Daily Herald." "If it does,, the moment, will find its man, and he may be more clever than Hitler." The "Daily Express" featured a front-page panel headed: "Obituary." The newspaper commented: "The 'Daily Express' rejoices to announce Hitler's death. It wastes no space on his career. His evil deeds are too well known. .It gives no picture of the world's most hated face, -and merely records the end of his days upon the earth which he sought to conquer for "The ' Times" published a fivecolumn survey of Hitler's life. A "ghost voice" broke in when the German radio was repeating Doenitz's order of the day, saying: "All lies," and then "Nonsense!" when the announcer reached a passage about Hitler having fallen as a hero. , . Hamburg radio closed down at 2 am today with the usual greeting, "Heil Hitler"