GERMAN ARMY

Grey River Argus, 12 February 1938, Page 9

GERMAN ARMY

NAZI PURGE Resented by Junkers [Aus. & N.Z. Cable Assn.] BASLE, February 10. The Gestapo is reported to be arresting many sympathisers of the Reichswher in the Rhineland Pro- | vinces. | It is understood that the German frontiers to Switzerland and France are being closed shortly, to prevent escapes. FRONTIERS NOT.BEING CLOSED. (Received February 11, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, February 10. The British United Press correspondent in Berlin says: “It is officially denied that the German frontiers are being closed. Reports have been received in London late to-night from Paris, Brussels, Vienna and Geneva, and these state that there is no intention to close the frontiers. Further Army Purge REPORTS OF DISCONTENT. LONDON, February 9. “The Times’s” Berlin correspondent says that the continuing uncertainty of the future relations between the army and the Government is responsible for the tenseness still brooding over the situation. The so-called compromise has caused much discontent among the 1 officers, resulting in the resignation of three generals; it also has divided the army into sympathisers with the dismissed generals, and supporters of the' Government. Thus, politics are introduced into the army, whereas they have previously been excluded in the interests of discipline.

The officers’ discontent might pass quickly, if they thought that the reorganisation was final, but the changes have raised the possibility of a series of difficult problems, which will develop if the Nazi Party attempts to transform the Reichswher into a Nazi army. It is believed that Herr Hitler is not desirous of forcing the pace with such demands, but the army’s morale is bound to be affected by the knowledge that they are hanging over it, whiie personal uncertainties, fear of the secret police and the supervisor of appointments, are also depressing. (Received February 11, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, February 10.

The “Daily Telegraph’s” Berlin representative states that the reports as to serious disturbances 7 occurring in the German Army, involving desertion, and even Revolt, are exaggerated. "Nevertheless,’’/says the correspondent, "the recent disciplinary punishment of high officers because of political or religious views, caused grumbling, and Nazi circles fear discontent may come to the surface. Consequently, it is understood a number of Commissions have been created to carry out a political purge in the Army throughout the country.” < In a message from Warsaw, the “Daily Telegraph’s” correspondent says that newspapers there give prominence to stories about revolts in German garrisons near the GermanPolish frontier, but these reports are not confirmed.

Blow to Prussianism HIGH OFFICERS DISCONTENTED. ' BUT NOT UNITED. (Received February 11, 10.30 p.m.) LONDON, February 11. “The Times” Berlin correspondent says: A large section of the German Officers’ Corps clearly is smarting under last Saturday’s decisions, in which they saw, at least, the thinj edge of the wedge of the Nazification of the Army. The Army has resisted Nazification since 1933. It was a tremendous shock to all of the Monarchist, the Conservative, and the Aristocratic elements, who had regarded the Army as being, for the present, the only remaining moderating influence, and had also regarded the Army as being destined in the future to be the maker of an alternative government. The correspondent continues: 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 General Kietel (the new Chief of the General Staff) and General Brauchitsch (Com-mander-in-Chief). These are two officers whom the Army highly respects. Any disunity in the Army should accordingly, effectively safeguard the Government against any serious crisis even if the discontent in the Officers Corps goes deeper than js supposed. With so much tension in the air, it is not surprising that Berlin should be full of rumours, some of them more sensational than any printed abroad. No Disturbances PRUSSIAN OFFICERS. CAUSE DIFFICULTIES. (Received February 11, 9-30 p.m.) LONDON, February 11. “The Times” correspondent at Berlin says: The German Foreign Office regards the reports that have been circulated as to disturbances in Germany as being “so ridiculous. that they do not require any public denial.” . v. 4. The Nazi Party circles admit that there are Army difficulties, especially among the officers’ corps, in . East Prussia and in Pomerania. It is not known what means have been taken to cope with the trouble. It is firmly denied, however, that there has been any mutiny or disorders. Many officers, it is believed, have been arrested. NOTED AUSTRIAN NAZI. ARRESTED AT BERLIN. (Received February 11, 5.5 p.m.) BERLIN, February 10. The Gestapo (secret police), after searching his flat, arrested Frans Winkler, a former Austrian ViceChancellor, who has been acting as

the correspondent of a Prague newspaper. He severed his. associations 'With' the late Doctor Dollfus, Austrian Chancellor, who was assassinated. Winkler in 1933 became a Nazi, He fled from Austria, after the Nazi Putsch there in 1934, when Dr. Dollfuss was assassinated. WINKLER DENIES ARREST. BERLIN, February 11. Herr Winkler denied that he was arrested. He admitted that he was being interrogated regarding events abroad. CROWN PRINCE VISITS PALY. RUMOURS PROVE FALSE. LONDON, February 10. The afternoon papers give prominence to a report that the ex-Crown Prince of Germany quit the country on the eve of Hitler’s purge! He arrived at Kufstein, on the Austro-Ger-man frontier, on February 3, without a passport. He said that he was going to Italy. The authorities allowed him to proceed, after identification!, provided ’ him with an escort of two 1 officers, and permitted him to enter Italy without a passport. He proceeded to Cortina.

Speaking to a British United Press representative on the telephone, today, ex-Prince Wilhelm said, "I certainly intend to return to Germany. The passport matter was an accident My valet forgot it. I am here for the Winter. All other reports are entirely unfounded.” A message from Cortina says that Wilhelm’s passport has arrived, and that he is returning to Germany on February 20. GOERING’S VISIT TO ENGLAND. CLYDESIDERS PROTESTS. LONDON, February 10. Mr. Gallacher caused an uproar in the Commons, with a violent outburst against Field-Marshal Goering. Mr. Mander asked whether FieldMarshal Goering should be given an (opportunity of inspecting Britain’s air-raid precautions. Sir S. Hoare: That is a matter of individual opinion. Mr. Herbert Morrison: Is Sir S. Hoare aware that if Goering visited London there would be a row about it? Ministerialists: Why? Mr. Gallacher: Is Sir S. Hoore away that Goering is soaked in blood. The remainder of the question was lost in shouts from both sides, over which Mr. Gallacher was heard shouting, “butcher!” The Speaker intervened. NAZIS IN TYROL. LONDON. February 10. The “Daily Telegraph’s” Munich correspondent says that considerable excitement was caused by the appearance in the streets of huge posters attacking the Italian administration in South Tyrol, which is' described as a thoroughly German country. “The South Tyrolese is a German. He belongs to the German people, like you, and don’t let yourselves be blinded to Italian whitewash.” The posters were apparently issued by the Association of German Minorities Abroad, which is a former Nationalist organisation, now merged in the Nazi Party. This is the first time for many years that -the question of South Tyrol has been raised in Germany, and the first public criticism of the Italian regime since the establishment of the Rome-Berlin axis. GERMANS ABROAD TO BE REGISTERED. BERLIN, February 10. registration of every German abroad is demanded in a drastic new law. Every German abroad for more than three months must register with the German Consul. Those violating the law will cease to enjoy the protection of the Reich. Those persisting in a refusal to register will be deprived of citizenship. The law is signed by Hitler, Neurath, Hess, and Frick, for the purpose of effectively organising Germans abroad, and ensuring that they maintain relations with the Homeland. EMIGRANTS' CAPITAL RETAINED BERLIN, February 10. Sharp rises occurred on the Berlin Bourse, as the result of rumours that emigrants will no longer be allowed to withdraw 12 per cent, of their ’(Capital.