EUROPE’S WAR DANGER

Greymouth Evening Star, 13 March 1933, Page 5

EUROPE’S WAR DANGER

GERMANY v. POLAND

PEACE-KEEPERS BUSY

(BY CABLE —PRESS ASSN. —COPYBIGHT.]

(Recd. March 13, S a.m-) LONDON, March 12.

The entire Sunday Press emphasises the dangei* of the present situation in Europe, which is described as the most serious since 1914.

The papers declare that Mr MacDonald’s summons and real mission at Geneva is to prevent almost an immediate conflagration. Events, generally, have developed so rapidly since Hitler came to power that, anxiety is expressed in several capitals, lest, flushed with victory, he may determine to invade the Polish corridor. France is undisguisedly alarmed, both at his fear, and the manner in which Hitler has armed the Nazis, Steel Helmets, and the police. One paper suggests that, the position is so serious, an attempt may be made to induce Hitler and Mussolini to meet Anglo-French statesmen on the borders of Italy. Austria is believed to be on the point of uniting with Hungary, for the restoration of the Hapsburgs.

ANGLO-FRENCH DISCUSSION.

LONDON, March 11

Several Paris correspondents affirm that the Nazi rule in Germany figured largely in the discussions between Mr Ramsay MacDonald and M. Daladier at Paris. M. Daladier is represented as trying hard but vainly,, to secure a. pledge of British support in the event of trouble. PARIS, March 10.

. Franco-British official circles regard the enrolment, of Stahlhelms and Storm Troops in the German police as a breach of the Versailles Treaty, thus necessitating diplomatic representations. DISCUSSIONS AT GENEVA. RUGBY, March 11. The Prime Minister , and Sir .1. Simon arrived at. Geneva from Paris, this morning. Captain Eden, who has been British delegate during the recent proceedings of the Disarmament Conference, met the Ministers and informed them of the developments at the Conference during the past few days. Later in the morning, Mr Henderson called on Mr MacDonald, and discussed with him the measures necessary to effect concrete decisions with as little delay as possible. Earlier in the morning, the Prime Minister saw M. Benes, Rapporteur of the Conference, and arrangements were made for other visits during the day from M. Bourquin (Belgium), Chairman of the Effective Committee, Baron Aloisi (Italy) and Hugh Wilson (United States). It is recognised that immediate measures are necessary to save the Disarmament Conference, and the attitude from which this problem was viewed during yesterday’s Anglo-French conversations in Paris is sufficiently indicated in the phrase of the official communique, “the urgency of the Geneva problem, especially in relation to the actual European situation, was fully recognised by the Ministers, who declared themselves determined to seek in agreement with representatives of cither States, all means of safeguarding the peace of the world.”

LLOYD GEORGE’S SUPPORT.

LONDON, March 11.

“As one of the drafters of the very stern treaty, I say that Germany honourably fulfilled the disarmament clauses. It was our part-to see that we and the other signatories followed suit,” declared Mr Lloyd George, speaking in support of Mi’ Kedward, Liberal candidate at the Ashford by-

election. “But armaments have risen annually, while the Germans were kept down. A proud brave people will not stand that everlastingly, consequently, Germany has been driven to an aggressive military dictatorship, menacing world peace, and fatal to disarmament.” EQUALITY DEMANDED. (Recd. March 13, 8 a.m.) BERLIN, March 12. “I favour an understanding with all nations, but that can only be reached among equals.” said Chancellor Hitler, addressing 20,000 on the eve of the municipal elections. “We are ready to offer our hands, but people to-day, only want our money.”

POLAND’S PREPARATIONS.

TO DEFEND “CORRIDOR.”

BERLIN, March 11.

Despite the Polish Government’s de-

nial of the allegation, the “Oglischer Rundschau." which is General Von Schleicher’s organ, asserts that Polish troops are concentrated at various border points, and that there is unusual military activity throughout the Polish Corridor, nearly three hundred military aeroplanes being assembled at one aerodrome and a lank unit at Posen having been increased from

thirty-five to eighty-five troops. It says aeroplanes continue to arrive at Gydnia. while Dirchau looks like a war camp, troops movements occurring between Gydnia, and Preusstchtarg, with the object of surrounding Danzig, “WAR MAY START.” PARIS, March 11. “From Danzig may easily start another war conflagration.” declared Dr. Ziehm, the President of the Danzig Senate, who is proceeding to Geneva in connection with. Hit* Weisterplatte dispute. He declared that. Polish machine guns and a. mine thrower had been landed in violation of international right, and could explode 100 easily. If the League failed it would be another blow from which it would be difficult to recover. FR O N TIE R DANG E R. LONDON, March 11. “The Times’” Strasbourg correspondent. reports that 100 local Nazis have re-occupied the Kehl barracks. Their leader, in a speech, said that France would now he obliged to accord better treatment to Germany than hitherto.

“The Times’s" Berlin correspondent states that the “Berliner Tageblatt” has been suspended. All the copies of its issue were seized because, while citing the masterliness of the Nazis’

coup, it deprecated the silence shown about their unjustifiable actions, including the unauthorised arrests. The “Daily Mails’s” Berlin correspondent states that Chancellor Hitler has issued orders restoring the old Empire flag as Germany’s emblem.

NAZI SAVAGERY BOLSHEVIKI OUTDONE (Rec. March 13, 2 p.m.) LONDON, March 12. The “Daily Herald’s” correspondent, who reached Prague from Berlin, says that only by leaving Germany is he able to reveal details of Nazi torturings of opponents. He alleges that a number of Communists were thrust into a room, forced to raise their arms and shout, “We love Hitler,” and sing Nazi songs. They were then terribly beaten with whips and truncheons. One died. One Reichsbanner man was locked in a cell where he could neither sit j nor lie down. He was kept there two days, dragged out. periodically to be kicked and ill-treated. His hair was shaved and the scalp painted white. He was released when he signed an undertaking to remain politically neutral.

These and many more cases oc curred at Berlin*, and similar torturings were carried out in most provincial centres.

Unknown assassins killed Spiegel, an eminent Socialist solicitor at Kiel. Obtaining admission to his home at 'two in the morning by shouting “Police, open,” they fired several shots Spiegel died in the hospital. Jews who left Germany include Theodor Wolff, editor of “Tageblatt,” George Bernhard, ex-editor of “Vossiche Zeitung,” Oscar Cohn, ex-Social-ist deputy, and Weiss, ent of police.

TRADE UNIONS REORGANISED

BERLIN, March 10.

The Mayors of two Berlin suburbs and other officials have been arrested. Three men were found shot at "Wan-, see. Two Communists were killed at Lunback when attempting to escape. Austrians and Czechs who have been seeking visas bear traces of beatings. Many Jews have left Germany. Others are departing. The Upper Silesian Catholic press has been suppressed. The manager of one Breslau theatre was dragged to a forest, where Nazis beat him until he was rescued by the police. Herr Goering, told a Swedish interviewer that Germany would not tolerate the existence of Socialist trade unions. The whole trade union movement would be reconstructed on a national basis, he said, as in Italy. Dr. Luther, Reichstag President, is reported to be resisting Herr Hitler’s j demand for the use of the Reichsbank’s reserves to finance unemployment schemes. It is rumoured that Dr. Luther’s resignation is imminent. Dr. Schacht is mentioned as his successor., Jacob Letschinsky, correspondent of a New York daily paper, “The Forward.” has been arrested and threatened with expulsion for “compromising Germany in the eyes of America

The Republican Reichbanner organisation has throughout Bavaria been dissolved, and the display of its flags and badges is prohibited. The police have confiscated their property.

STATE RIGHTS USURPED.

BERLIN, March 11.

The Nazis declare their intention of cieasing the stage of the dirt and rubbish that have hitherto been displayed, and of replacing the theatre managers. The Bavarian Minister, Herr Stuetzel, also Herr Schaefer (Chairman of the People’s Party), and Herr Ostermeyer (a Councillor) were dragged from their houses at night and maltreated. The Nazi Commissioner of Bavaria, General Von Epps, has given orders for the arrest of Communists and Socialists in several towns. ’These were strictly executed. The Governments of the States of Saxony and of Baden have resigned. Herr Von Killinger, on behalf of the Reich, has placed Nazis in charge of the Saxon State Ministries. A new Government is being formed in Baden. The Governments of Bavaria and Saxony will be reformed without elections, on the basis of last Sunday’s vote, thus giving the Nazis a predominance everywhere. The police have dispersed the Brown Shirts when they were picketing the shops of Jews. SERIES OF SEIZURES. (Recd. March 13, 10.30 a.m.) BERLIN, March 11. Following a general seizure of power, individual Nazis have begun unauthorised miniature coups, notably Herr Strichler, who proclaimed himself Commissioner in North Bavaria. He inarched to Nuremberg at the head of Storm Troops, causing th© Stahlhelms strongly to protest to the Government. _ A Nazi appointed himself Lord Mayor of Altona, and arrested four Senators and several officials. Storm troops occupied Breslau Exchange, and suspended business. They also invaded the law courts, expelled the Jewish judges and lawyers. There were numerous similar arrests of the mayors in many towns. Another hundred political arrests were made in Berlin, where it is now disclosed that a number of. Jews and Communists were arrested in the early days of Hitler’s rule, man-handled, and confined in dark cellars, almost foodless. To-day, they were taken to the police station. The police at Hamburg closed the big stores, including Woolworths “in the interests of public security. Auxiliaries in Wurtemberg throughout the night arrested Communists, who were dragged from their beds and taken to unknown destinations. Two hundred Communist officials were arrested at Stuttgart. Communists are not invited to the opening of the Reichstag on March 21. If they attend, they will he arrested. OPERA HOUSE DEMONSTRATION. (Received March 13. 2.30 p.m.) BERLIN, March 12. Cheers, drowning the tolling of bells, greeted President Hindenburg and Ministers driving, amid military pageantry, to attend the national mourning service for the war dead at the Opera House. President Hindenburg, with Chancellor Hitler on his left, and the WarMinister, General Blomberg, on his right, occupied, with other Ministers, greet the assembly. President Hindenburg raised his marshal’s baton to grot the assembly. Reichswehr Nazis, and Stahlhelms lined the stage, (Ranked with regimental colours.

Hindenburg and Hitler later took the salute in the Opera House Square, under the Swastika emblem, which is

x now flying in full equality With the . newly-restored Imperial banner. Hitler reiterated the prohibition against lawlessness, declaring that an . overwhelming victory did not demand petty revenges. MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS I (Rec. March 13, 2 p.m.> BERLIN, MarcH 12. The municipal elections in Prussia and other States were quietly conducted. A Berlin resident dropped dead while voting. Polling was much lighter than on May 4, because the Nazi predominance makes the constitutional mandate superfluous. AUSTRIAN DISSENSIONS. LONDON, March 11. “The Times’s” Vienna correspondi ent, states that all political meetings there are prohibited. Mounted and foot police guard the halls. Herr Dollfuss, the Premier, warned Vice-Presi-dent Straffner that his effort to convene the Austrian Parliament might plunge the nation in a disaster. The Government would forcibly prevent a session. Straffner threatens to lodge a charge in the Constitutional Court against anyone impeding the session. Great uneasiness prevails. The “Arbeiter Zeitung” charges the Government with a breach of the constitution in connection with the defence measures, which may unleash civil war, and it calls Socialists to rally against the Government.

| MADRID DEMONSTRATION. MADRID, March 10. The police dispersed hundreds of students, Communists and agitators who, marching to the German Embassy cried, “Death to Hitler! Down with Fascism!”