GERMAN ARMY

Greymouth Evening Star, 12 February 1938, Page 7

GERMAN ARMY

MUTINY RUMOURS DENIED

"PURGE” IN PROGRESS

[by CABLE —PRESS ASSN. —COPYRIGHT.]

LONDON, February 10

The correspondent of the British United Press in Berlin says, it is officially denied that the German frontiers are being closed. Reports received in London late to-night from Paris, Brussels, Vienna, and Geneva state that there is no sign of any intention to close the frontiers.

The Berlin correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph” says, that the reports of serious disturbances in the German Army, involving desertion and even revolt, are exaggerated. Nevertheless, recent disciplinary punishment of high officers because of their political or religious views has caused grumbling, and Nazi circles fear that the 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 Berlin correspondent of “The Times” says that the German Foreign Office regards the reports of disturbances in Germany as “so ridiculous as not to require public denial.” Nazi Party circles admit, difficulties in the army especially among the officers’ 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.

A message from Warsaw states that the newspapers give prominence to stories of revolts in German garrisons near the German-Polish frontier, but the reports are not confirmed.

A large section of the officers’ corps is clearly smarting under last Saturday’s decisions, in which they saw at least the thin end of the wedge of the Nazification which the army has resisted since 1933. It was a tremendous shock to all the monarchist, conservative, and aristocratic elements, which had regarded the army as for the present the only remaining moderating influence and in future as 1 the maker of an alternative government. It is not unreasonable to suppose, therefore, that many conservative officers thought that a stand should be made now; but in considering their course of action they will have to take into consideration the fact that the decisions have been accepted by Kietel and Brauchitsch, two officers whom the army highly respects. Disunity in the army should, accordingly effectively safeguard the Government against a serious crisis, even if the 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.

HITLER’S DEATH RUMOURED

(Recd. February 12, 9 a.m.) LONDON, February 11.

A story that Herr Hitler had been shot swept over the city, especially the Stock Exchange, and prompted an emphatic official denial from Berlin, where resentment is felt at last night’s BBC broadcast of news from Germany.

It is commented that “the compilation of. this news was without direction.” It is contrasted with Germany’s tact in dealing with the news of the Duke of Windsor’s marriageRELENTLESS PURGE. (Recd. February 12, 11.40 a.m.) BERLIN, Februaiy 11. While life in Germay appears to be norma'., most civilians being aware of the reports published in the Press of the outside world, there seems to be no doubt that the “purge” of 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.

As the army is not in a position to resist forcefully, the power of the higher officer class does not ex ; st today. 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 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 and business men will be 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, Press Chief, Herr Dietrich, who is Hitler’s personal confidant, declares that the Fuhrer is in good health, and it is all nonsense to suggest that Hitler has suffered a breakdown. Herr Dietrich has appealed to common sense, concerning the alarming reports that the frontiers were closed, and that Storm troops were expelling reactionary officers-

AUSTRIAN ARRESTED.

BERLIN, February 10.

The Gestapo,' after searching a flat, arrested Herr Franz Winkler, former Austrian Vice-Chancellor, and correspondent of a Prague newspaper. He severed, his associations with Dr. Dollfuss and became a Nazi in 1933. He fled from Austria, after the Nazi putsch in 1934, when Dollfuss was assassinated.

Winkler denied that he had been arrested, but admitted that he was being interrogated about events abroad.

INTERRUPTED HONEYMOON.

BERLIN, February 11. It is reported that von Blomberg, who is honeymooning in Italy, has been ordered to return to Germany, for a year-