GERMAN ARMY UNREST

Evening Star, Issue 22881, 12 February 1938, Page 15

GERMAN ARMY UNREST

AN AIR OF TENSION HAZIFICATION RESENTED Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, February 11. The Berlin correspondent of ‘ The Times ’ says a large section of the Officers’ Corps are clearly smarting under last Saturday’s decisions, in which they saw at least the thin edge of the wedge of Nazification, which the army has resisted since 1933. It was a tremendous shock to all Monarchist, Conservative, and aristocratic elements, who had regarded the army as for the present the only moderating influence and in future as the maker of an alternative Government. It is not unreasonable to suppose, therefore, that many Conservative officers thought a stand should be made now, but in considering their course of actiofi they will have to take into consideration the fact that the decisions have been accepted by Generals Kietel and von, Brauchitsch, two officers whom the army highly respects. Disunity in the army should accordingly effectively safeguard the Government against a serious crisis, even if discontent in the Officers’ Corps goes deeper than is supposed. With so much tension in the air, it is not surprising that Berlin is full of rumours, some of them more sensational than any printed abroad. REPORTS EXAGGERATED SOME DISCONTENT ADMITTED. LONDON, February 11. Reports received in London late tonight from Paris, Brussels, Vienna, and Geneva state that there is no sign of any intention to close the frontiers. The ‘ Daily Telegraph’s ’ Berlin representative states that reports of serious disturbances in the German army, involving desertion and even revolt, are exaggerated. Nevertheless rcent disciplinary punishment of high officers because of political or religious views has caused grumbling, and Nazi circles fear discontent may come to the surface. Consequently it is understood that a number of commissions have -been created to carry out a political purge in the army throughout the country. The correspondent of ‘ The Times ’ at Berlin says the Foreign Office regards the reports of disturbances in Germany as “so ridiculous as not to require a public denial.” Nazi Party circles admit army difficulties, especially among officers of corps in East Prussia and Pomerania. It is not known what means have, been taken to cope with the trouble, but it is firmly denied that there has been mutiny or disorders. Many officers, it is believed,, have been arrested. AUSTRIAN EX-MINISTER ARRESTED . BERLIN, February 10. The Gestapo, after searching his flat, arrested Franz Winkler, an ex-Austrian Vice-Chancellor and correspondent of a Prague newspaper. He'severed his associations with Dr Dollfuss and became a Nazi in 1933, and fled from Austria after the Nazi putsch In 1934, when Dr Dollfuss was assassinated. ARREST DENIED. BERLIN, February 11. Winkler denied that he was arrested, but admitted that he was being interrogated regarding events abroad. 8.8. C. BROADCAST RESENTED IN BERLIN LONDON, February 11. (Received February 12, at 8 a.m.) A story that Herr Hitler had been shot, which swept the city, especially the Stock Exchange, prompted an emphatic official denial from Berlin, where there is resentment at last night’s 8.8. C. broadcast on the news from Germany. It is complained that “ compilation of this news was not without direction,” and is contrasted with Germany’s tact In handling the news of the Duke of Windsor’s marriage. PURGE RELENTLESSLY PROCEEDING ARMY NOT IN A POSITION TO RESIST. BERLIN, February 11. (Received February 12, at 11 a.m.) While life in Germany appears normal most civilians are aware of the reports published in the Press of the outside world. There seems no doubt that the purge, which has discontented elements in the army, is relentlessly proceeding. Stricter control has been established on the Austrian and Belgian frontiers, but the reports that they have been closed are without foundation. The army is not in a position to resist forcefully and the power of the higher officer class does not exist to-day. Though most are monarchists and disagree with most of the Nazi policy, they are powerless to enforce their views. Foreigners are unable to realise the enormous power of the Gestapo, which keeps the closest watch on files and dossiers. All are open to the slightest suspicion, no matter how exalted their rank. There is reason to believe that those officers suspected of questionable political views are yielding to the advice of authority and are resigning. It is also possible that a number of industrialists anil business men have been arrested. The purge is extending to the nobility, many of whom are potential rallying points of discontent. Obviously in refutation of the rumour of the shooting of Herr Hitler, the Press Chief, Herr Dietrich, who is Herr Hitler's personal confidant, de-

dares that the Fuhrer is in good health, and it is all nonsense to suggest that Herr Hitler has suffered a Herr Dietrich appealed to common sense concerning the alarming and false reports that the frontiers had been closed and that Storm troops were expelling reactionary officers.