TENSION IN GERMANY

Evening Star, Issue 22882, 14 February 1938, Page 11

TENSION IN GERMANY

NAZI PURGE OF THE ARMY WILDEST RUMOURS CIRCULATING Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, February 12. The Associated Press says there is no attempt in authoritative quarters to disguise their anxiety concerning the situation in Europe, particularly Germany. Though little official information is available from Berlin, and it suggests that no rioting has occurred, nevertheless the welter, of German official denials, almost keeping pace with rumours, is far from convincing, and does not reduce apprehension, especially since it is known that tension for days has been acuto throughout Germany following the recent “ purge.” The Berlin correspondent of ‘ The Times ’ says that the nervousness in Government quarters has extended to all classes. The wildest rumours continue to circulate owing to the silence of the German Press and the confiscation of 35 foreign newspapers. The Berlin correspondent of ‘ The Times ’ says there is no question that Germany in this week’s welter of rumours has been the victim of her own taste for the dramatic in politics and of secrecy about the background of the decisions made on February 4. The mass of the Berlin public is most sceptical of the Government’s explanation of these decisions and the consequent speculations are a fruitful source of disquiet. Well-informed people, however, feel that the. discontent among sections of the officers’ corps is unlikely to cause the Government great embarrassment, although the decisions made recently can scarcely be regarded as a final settlement of the relations between the party and the army. Meanwhile, the German press discussions are confined to- criticism of most countries in Europe, REPORT FROM POLAND LONDON, February 12. The AVarsaw correspondent of the ‘ Daily Telegraph ’ says that Polish newspapers, despite the official German 1 statement, continue to assert that the situation in Germany is critical and that the army’s dissatisfaction over the recent political and military changes is widespread. LATEST PROMOTIONS ARISTOCRACY REPRESENTED. BERLIN, February 13. (Received February 14, at 10 a.m.) Herr Hitler has. promoted nine generals and one colonel, five of whom are members of the aristocracy, increasing the number of changes in the higher ranks to 60 as a result of the purge.