GERMAN FORCES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22318, 16 January 1936, Page 9

GERMAN FORCES

LEADERS CONFERRING SUGGESTION OF FRICTION DESIRE FOR STABILITY By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received January 15. 5.15 p.m.) Times Cable LONDON, Jan. 15 The Berlin correspondent of the Times says there is lively speculation in the German capital as the result of a series of conferences between high officers of the Army, the Navy, the Air Force and representatives of the S.S. (Nazi black uniformed guards) and the S.A. (Brown Shirt commands). The press is completely silent, but it is recalled that similar conferences were held a year ago, when it was stated that the object was to demonstrate the national unity of the new Germany in face of "lying" foreign reports of friction among the leaders.

The correspondent says there is reason to believe that the present conferences are dealing with the causes of friction known still to exist between the armed forces and the forces like the S.S. and S.A. more directly identified with the Nazi movement.

It is known that the Army is closely watching the S.S., which provides Herr Hitler's bodyguard. .Its standing forces are said to number 16,000, divided into four regiments stationed in different parts of Germany. They are armed with rifles, machine-guns and armoured cars and also have artillery units. There are also between 200,000 and 300,000 unarmed reserves. They are tho elect of the Nazi movement and the upholders of its principles in their most radical form, and it is believed that they are dissatisfied with their status in relation to the Army.

There is no suggestion that the stability of the regime is immediately threatened, says the correspondent, but it is believed that it has now become necessary in the interests of stability to arrive at clear and definite understandings about the spheres, competence and authority of the various forces. So far, it is understood, no conclusions ha\e been reached, but the conferences are being continued.