Nazis’ Advent To Power Was Six Years Ago Today

Northern Advocate, 30 January 1939, Page 7

Nazis’ Advent To Power Was Six Years Ago Today

Five years ago today Herr Hitler war first appointed Chancellor of the Gorman Reich.

The appointment followed a series of election stalemates, which ended on November 6th, 1932, when the National Socialists lost 34 seats, and the Communists strongly improved their representation in the Reichstag. General von Schleicher was appointed Chancellor, but was unable to secure sufficient support to obtain a majority, and on his resignation, Hitler, who had on several previous occasions refused the Vice-Chancellor-ship, was summoned by President Hindenburg.

Goebbels’ Version.

The following extract is taken from “My Part in Germany’s Fight,” by Dr. Joseph Goebbels, published very recently by Hurst and Blackett, and added this month to the Whangarei Public Library. “January 30, 1933—it seems like a dream. The Welhelmstrasse is ours. The leader is already working in the Chancellory. We stand in the window upstairs watching hundreds and thousands of people march past the aged President of the Reich, and the young Chancellor, in the flaming torchlight, shouting their joy and gratitude.

At noon we are all at the Kaiserhof waiting. The Leader is with ■ the President of the Reich. The inward excitement almost takes our breath away. In the street the crowds stand silently waiting between the Kaiserhof and the Chancellory. What is happening there? We are torn between doubt, hope, joy and despair. We have been deceived too often to be able wholeheartedly to believe in the great mirable.

“Chief-of-Staff Roehm stands at the window the whole time, watching the door of the Chancellory from which the Leader must emerge. We shall be able to judge by his face if the interview was happy.

Hours of Torture. “Torturing hours of waiting. At last the car draws up in front of the entrance, the crowd cheers, they seem to feel that a great change has taken place or has already begun. “The Leader is coming. “A few moments later hq is with us. He says nothing, and we all remain silent also. His eyes are full of tears. It has come. The Leader is appointed Chancellor. He has already been sworn in by the President of the Reich. The final decision has been made. • Germany is at a turning-point in her history. All of us are dumb with emotion. Everyone clasps the Leader’s hand; it would seem that our old pact of loyalty were renewed at this moment.

“Wonderful, how simple the Leader is 111 his greatness, and how great in his simplicity. “Outside the Kaiserhof the masses are in a wild uproar. In the meantime Hitler's appointment has become public. “We set to work again at once. The Reichstag is dissolved. It was difficult to persuade our colleagues in the Cabinet to agree to it. The re-election is to take place in a month’s time. The Cabinet will appeal to the German people in a proclamation today. Scenes in Berlin. “The day passes like a , dream. Everything is like a fairy £|le. Slowly the evening closes in over the Capital of the Reich. “At 7 o’clock Berlin resembles a swarming beehive. And then the torchlight processions begin. Endlessly, endlessly, from 7 o’clock in the evening until 1 o’clock in the morning, crowds march by the Chancellory. Storm Troopers, Hitler Youths, civi- , lians, men. women, fathers with their

children held up high to see the Leader’s window.

“Indescribable enthusiasm fills the street's. A few yards from the Chancellor the President of the Reich stands at his window, a towering, dignified, heroic figure, invested with a touch of old-time marvel. Now and then with his cane he beats time to the military marches. Hundreds ,and thousands and hundreds and thousands march past our windows in neverending, uniform rhythm. “The rising of a nation!

“Germany has awakened! “In .a spontaneous explosion of joy the people espouse the German Revolution.

People Acclaim Leader.

“The everlasting stream of cheering people flows on and on and on. The treetops at the Wilhelmplatz in front of the Chancellory are swarming with boys who cheer the Leader in shrill, oar-splitting chorus. ‘His people acclaim him!

“For the first time the German people in demonstration is being broadcast.

“We speak for the first time over all German transmitters. I can say nothing, but that we are happy beyond words, and that we shall go on working. “When the jubilating defiles at last show some sign of coming to an end, longs after midnight, ten thousand people still stand in front of the Chancellory and sing the ‘Horst WesselLied.’ I deliver a short address to the masses, and close with three cheers for Hindenburg and the Leader. This miraculous night ends in a frenzy of enthusiasm.” i 1 f