NAZI ARMY RIFT

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20632, 13 August 1941, Page 5

NAZI ARMY RIFT

HITLER’S CONTROL generals' deposed POWER MAY CHANGE (Elec. Tel Copyright—United Press Assn.) • (Reed. Aug. 13, 9 a.m.) LONDON, Aug. 12. The Tass Agency’s Stockholm correspondent says that Swedish political circles are discussing the fact that the names of General von Brauchitsch, General Keitel, General Liszt and Reich Marshal Goering are not mentioned in a recent long German communique concerning the eastern front operations. According to the Aftonbladet’s Berlin correspondent, official German circles state that Hitler, personally and alone, exercises the func--1 tions of the supreme commander. The Tass Agency comments that all the generals who did not approve of Hitler’s plan for war against the Soviet were dismissed or given new appointments. General Liszt was sent to the Balkans and General Brauchitsch to the western front. General Keitel has been absent from Hitler’s headquarters for the last fortnight, while even pro-Germans no longer doubt that Goering has been arrested. Disaffection in high places in Germany, followed now by insistent emphasis on the difficulties of the Russian campaign, suggests the possibility of a dramatic switch of power from the Nazis to the army, the original ruling caste. Friction Evident Soon after Germany invaded Russia rumours were prevalent that the decision had led to disagreement between the generals and the Nazis. Subsequent developments suggest that some such friction might well have occurred. German propaganda, with striking similarity in all German newspapers, is suddenly, but pronouncedly, taking on a defeatist or at least a semidefeatist tone. The public is being told of the enormous difficulties confronting the German armies, the inevitability of heavy casualties, and the disorganisation of supplies to the army. Statements are even appearing by “military commentators, war correspondents, military doctors and brigade commanders,’ referring to. the incessant flow of wounded to hospitals, the inadequacy of medical staffs, and the difficulties created by “scorched earth” destruction. May Be Preparing Public There is obviously a motive for all this, which is distinct from the stories through neutral capitals about dismissals and suiqides among German leaders. What the motive is cannot be stated with absolute certainty, but it is at least suspected that the generals, some of whom opposed the invasion of Russia, and were over-ruled by Nazi Party leaders, are now seeking to prepare the public for their taking over power from the Nazis. There is nothing in the German communiques to suggest that the military situation is desperate for them, or even serious, and the few facts known outside the communiques suggest that it would still be madness to think that the Russians are anything like, on top. Indeed, the Germans appear still to be making slight headway at some points. However, neither army can continue long at the present pace and exhaustion must conquer. The Russians certainly ha’ve reserves, but, in view of their enormous : losses —the German losses also have been colossal —the extent of their further equipment is uncertain and they certainly want aeroplanes from Britain and America. Not much authentic information is available from Germany about internal conditions, but it is known that criticism is developing.