NAZI COMMANDS

New Zealand Herald, Volume 80, Issue 24539, 23 March 1943, Page 3

NAZI COMMANDS

FUEHRER'S POSITION CONFUSION PERSISTS STATEMENTS FROM BERLIN (Reed. 5.35 p.m.) LONDON, March 21 Has Hitler handed over command of the German Army to his generals? This question was revived by an announcer on the Berlin radio twice describing Keitel as "Commander-in-Chief of the Army." The first reference was during the broadcast of a ceremony of laying wreaths at the Zeughaus war museum. The announcer said: "Hitler entered the hall followed by Goering and the commanders of the three services—Keitel, Doenitz and Milch." The second reference was made in the oourse of a description of Hitler's review of the Guard of Honour, when Keitel, Doenitz and Milch again were similarly described. The Berlin radio's account of the ceremonies said: "Hitler, departing from Zeughaus, entered his ear. Hundreds of thousands of Berliners lining the Unter Den Linden greeted him with silent, reverent confidence. The Fuehrer's words at Zeughaus were heard in devout silence."

However, the German news agency's foreign service later stated that the Fuehrer spoke not as the leader of tho ' German people, but as supreme coin- • mander of tho armed forces. It is pointed out in London that the title Supreme Commander is automatically held by the Chief of the German State. It was so hold by the Kaiser and yon Hindenburg, but the point is also raised whether the reference to Milch as head of the air force indicated that Goering has relinquished his post as commander-in-chief of the Luftwaffe. Commenting on the absence of "Sieg Heils," the diplomatic correspondent of tho Times says Hitler clearly read his speech. His manner betrayed restraint. Ho later walked to hundreds of severely woundeds from Russia. He spoko to half a dozen, answering the man's statement of where he was wounded with an invariable "Ah." Exchanges heard over tho radio lacked personal feeling. | GUIANA'S ALLEGIANCE SOME CONFUSION CAUSED LONDON, March 21 French Guiana has rallied to General do Gaulle and not to General Giraud as previously reported. The New York Times says that French suaden turn-over to General de Gaulle has thrown the situation surrounding the French possessions in the Western Hemisphere into confusion. Informed quarters assume that the London announcement superseded a statement to General Giraud's military mission in Washington that the colony had declared allegiance to General Giraud. General do Gaulle has appointed M. Maurice Bcrtaut, as Governor of French Guiana, According to the Algiers radio ; General Giraud telegraphed to French Guiana saying: "1 congratulate you on your decision to bring an old and faithful colony into line. Please give tho population of French Guiana a brotherly salute from tho African Empire and express my firm determination to assure their happiness." M. Hubert Guerian, French Minister to Helsinki, has left his post to join General Giraud, WORKERS ENTER CAMP army life experience (Reed. 11.20 p.m.) NEW YORK, March 22 Two hundred union war workers from Detroit and other industrial areas have entered camp at Atterbury, Indiana, to live for three days as privates of an infantry division training for combat to see* whether organised labour is matching the efforts and sacrifices of the men of the armed forces. The War Department has arranged the scheme as a means of developing a better understanding between labour and the A iiny STARVING BELGIANS RELIEF ARRANGEMENTS LONDON, March 21 Kmphasisinu that Belgium's crowded population, to the square mile, had made the ravages of famine more cruel there than in any other Kuropoan country except Greece, M. Pierlot, Belgian Premier, announced that the Belgian Government in London provided a lied Cross ship to carry powdered milk and vitamins from America for starving mothers and children in Belgium M. Pierlot added that if Germany refused safe conduct, tho Belgian Government would not press the request for reliof.

FLAG DAY FOR CHINA NEW APPEAL IN ENGLAND LONDON, March itt Madame Chiang Kai-shek and Lady Cripps broadcast messages in connection with Flag Day in aid of China on Tuesday. "The knowledge that yon our FngHsh friends," said Madame Chiang Kaishek, "are also undergoing privation and want makes us doubly appreciative of your gifts. We thank you for your spontaneous and generous contributions to the United Aid to China Fund, which lias done so much to relieve our sufferings. Wo value even more the friendly sentiment that has prompted you in your giving." "During four years' fighting along with Japan," said Lady Cripps, "China, although ill-prepared, has never faltered. Britain is grateful to have had the double privilege of helping to relieve China's suffering and sharing in building a China of the future."