Blow to Hitler

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 6834, 15 April 1932, Page 7

Blow to Hitler

“ Steel Helms lust be Dissolved ” ACTS OF HIGH TREASON WERE CONTEMPLATED United Press Association. —By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. BERLIN, April 13. A sensation lias been caused by the issue of a decree signed by President Hindenburg, the Chancellor, Dr. Bruening, and the Minister of Defence, Herr Groener, ordering the dissolution of Hitler’s storm troops, the Steel Helms, numbering 400,000 on the ground that it is an illegal organisation menacing the State authority. The decision was taken by a conference of Ministers of the interior and federal States, presided over by Dr. Bruening, in consequence of the storm troops’ repeated violations of the decree forbidding the wearing of party uniforms, also acts of terrorism against political opponents, and preparation of acts of high treason as revealed by documents recently confiscated throughout Germany. Hen - Hitler disavows responsibility for the consequences of the disbandment, but the authorities arc confident the decree can be executed without strife. It is regarded as a heavy blow to the Hitler movement.

German Police Act Swiftly ALL STEEL HELM BARRACKS SEIZED. A PRIVATE ARMY. BERLIN, April 13. Swift action followed the Government’s decree. The police closed thirty Nazi barracks in Berlin and seized all the military material therein. They arc now dealing similarly with two hundred barracks throughout Germany. Tlie Government declares the Nazi detachments constituted a private army organised in military formation to the smallest detail. Though lacking heavy weapons, tlie forces were capable of performingacts of violence and bringing pressure to bear on the population.

“State Within a State” CREATE CIVIL WAR CONDITIONS. BERLIN, April 13. The proclamation states the mere existence of such organisations, forming a state within the state, is a source of continual unrest and is liable to create conditions similar to civil war. The decree threatens with imprisonment persons attempting to carry on the banned organisations. Hitler’s Lamblike Docility Received Thursday, Midnight. BERLIN, April 13. The News-Chroniclc's Berlin correspondent says Hitler took the suppression decision with lamblike docility. While protesting at the President’s action lie decided to offer no resistance.