INTERNAL STRIFE

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 25022, 12 October 1944, Page 5

INTERNAL STRIFE

SIGNS FROM GERMANY MANY REPORTS CURRENT MENTION OF GOERING (Heed. 7.30 p.m.) LONDON, Oct. 11 Telephone communication between Stockholm and Berlin was resumed last night after being cut for about 60 hours, says the British United Press correspondent in Stockholm. Router's Stockholm correspondent says there is spasmodic telephone communication with Berlin through Copenhagen, but direct communication is still interrupted. The belief is growing, he adds, that the Germans are trying to conceal something from the outer world. Rumours are sweeping Stockholm, one of the most persistent being that Goering has been arrested. Far-Reaching Conspiracy Reported The Stockholm correspondent of the New York Times says the reason for the telephone ban is reported to be the Gestapo's discovery of a far-reach-ing officer conspiracy with connections among the German industrial representative.; in Stockholm, who have been attempting to make contact with the Allied legations, especially the Russian. However, the Gestapo is believed to have already arrested or shot the leaders. The Gestapo cut off tho telephone to prevent contact between the conspirators. Telephone communications within Germany are also severely restricted. Passengers arriving by plane from Berlin state that everything is apparently normal, but the Germans refuse to explain the silence. Panic Sweeps German Legation Panic appears to be sweeping the German Legation in Stockholm and several members of the staff have refused to obey Himmler's orders to return home, says the Daily Telegraph's Stockholm correspondent. The press attache, Dr Paul Grassman, has deserted the legation, stating that he has lost all confidence in Nazi Germany. His example has been followed bv the naval attache, Captain Paul von Wahlert. The commercial attache, Dr Heinrich Reinsberg, who was recalled to Germany, has disappeared. He is believed to be hiding outside Stockholm. Hans Schneffner, of the German consular staff, and Dr Leithoff, of the German Chamber of Commerce, have also recently been recalled, but they abandoned their positions. Leithoff applied fo" refuge in Sweden.