GRIM DAYS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21844, 5 July 1934, Page 11

GRIM DAYS

GERMAN - CRISIS meeting of cabinet executions approved hitler AND'von papen OVERTURES' REJECTED By Telecrnph—Prpss Association—Copyright (Received July -1, 5.5 p.m.) BERLIN. July 3 The German Cabinet sat for seven hours to-dav at its first meeting since Herr Hitler's "swoop." It authorised the publication of a' list of those executed, who are believed to number 46. A communique, announces that Herr Hitler explained that lightning action was necessary to prevent the loss of thousands of lives. General Blomberg, Minister of Defence, thanked the Chancellor in the name of the Cabinet and tho Reichswehr for his decisive and courageous action in preventing civil war. He said Kerr Hitler had - proved himself a * statesman and a soldier of greatness, which had stirred the Cabinet and all Germans to reaffirm their devotion and • < lovaltv. The 1 rice-Chancellor, Herr von Papen, arrived at the meeting of the Cabinet, but asked Herr Hitler to excuse him from participating in the business. Von Papen Remains Aloof Herr von Papen was invited to attend after "the meeting had lasted two hours, as an indication of his acquittal of complicity in the recent plot. Herr Hitler said ho hoped Herr von Papen would let bygones be bygones and continue to "'"co-operate with the Government.

The Vice-Chancellor, however, refused to join the meeting in spite of V- Heir Hitler's lengthy appeal. He tendered his resignation, but the Cabinet did not accept it. After the conversation Herr von Papen left, escorted, by three men. It is generally expected that he will insist upon resigning as he cannot submit to the shooting of his secretary and the arrest of his staff. Sixty of Herr ,Hitler's picked steelhelmeted troops' have occupied the Vice-Chancellory.

President's Thanks to Chancellor The Cabinet adopted more than 20 laws, including one exempting fathers of five children from payment of in-confe-tax, and several referring to forestry and hunting and appointing Genera! Goering Master of Forests. This introduction of minor matters probably was due to an attempt to suggest that everything is normal. The Chancellor visited President Hin-

denburg and gave him a full report of * his action, after which it was officially stated that the President had expressed his thanks to Herr Hitler for his resolute action, which he said, had sared the German people from great bloodshed and the Fatherland from seri...ous disturbances. The bodljs of the executed people are to be cremated and their ashes will be handed to their relatives. Dealing With Future Violence Herr Hitler has issued an order stating that the action taken for the suppression of Herr Roelim's revolt ended on the night of July 1. Those who on their own accord, for any purpose whatever, violence in the course of that action would bo placed before the ordinary Courts. Apparently this order means that the executions carried out between June 30 and July 1 are legalised and that subsequent acts of violence will be dealt with in the Law Courts. Herr Seldte', Minister of Labour, has forbidden the members of the Steel Helmets organisation to wear uniforms in public. , . general Goering summoned Prince August Wilhelm and informed him of the suggestion that he was connected with the plot. The Prince roundly denied this, and having answered all question* satisfactorily was exculpated. General Goering also closely investigated t e ex-Crown Prince's affairs, but nothing was proved against him. Execution List Delayed Although it was officially promised that a full list <bf the persons executed would be available to tho public after the meeting of the Cabinet it was stated later that tho list will be delayed until to-morrow, possibly later. It is reported that those executed on Sunday included Herr Edgar Jung, a friend' of Herr von Papen, who was believed to have been the writer of tho speech the Vice-Chancellor delivered at Marburg University, in which he attacked the Nazi extremists. Herr von Papen had been busy trying to secure Herr Jung's release.