MYSTERY DEEPENS

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 25050, 14 November 1944, Page 5

MYSTERY DEEPENS

FUEHRER NOT HEARD POSSIBLE HEALTH REASONS (Reed. 6.30 p.m.) LONDON, Nov. 13 Diplomatic observers in London think that the issue of Hitler's proclamation, which it is stated was read by Himmler, has served only to deepen the Hitler mystery. The Daily Mail's diplomatic correspondent says: "It is thought that there must be something radically wrong with Hitler to prevent him appearing before the German people and speaking to them at such a time as this. The explanation that he is too deeply engrossed in the conduct of the war is too flimsy for anybody to believe, even the Germans." Silence Since July Reuter's agency points out that Hitler's voice has not been heard since July 21, when he hurried to the microphone to tell the Germans of their deliverance from the abortive military coup. Himmler read Hitler's proclamation at a meeting to commemorate the Munich beer hall putsch. The exact place of the meeting was kept secret, but the Berlin radio announcer described it as a place where former Nazi Party meetings ~:ere held, probably meaning the Munich beer cellar, where a bomb exploded 12 minutes after Hitler left the meeting in 1939. The British United Press diplomatic correspondent, commenting on the mystery of Hitler's silence, says Himmler has only made matters worse, ror the first time in Hitler's career, there is indubitable evidence that _ Hitler is deliberately keeping, or is being kept, away -from the microphone. It is well known that there are always radio facilities wherever Hitler's headquarters are situated. It would be just as easy for him to broadcast as for Himmler to read the proclamation. Oxford Doctor's Beliel The Daily Mail says that Dr William Brown, of Oxford, who for. ten years has studied Hitler and from time to time has advised the British Government on his mentality, suggests that Hitler may now be approaching the final phase of his mental sickness. He may even need to be kept under restraint in view of the homicidal tendencies often shown by patients whoso case histories have been similar. Dr Brown observed Hitler at close quarters in Germany before the war, and talked several times with Dr Oswald Bumke, who is believed to be now in charge of Hitler's psychological welfare. From all Hitler's important broadcasts. Dr Brown built tip a case history of Hitler and. predicted to some extent the course the disease would probably take. Dr Brown was so sure of his diagnosis that he did not listen on Wednesday, when Hitler might have made his beer cellar speech. He was certain Hitler would not speak. German Officer's Report The New York Times says that Hitler's alleged speech _ only deepened the mystery surrounding the Fuehrer. The fact that the Volkssturm has sworn loyalty and obedience to him personally indicates that he is still alive, because even the Nazis, who have perpetrated many hoaxes, cannot be credited with so dangerous a hoax as swearing in the last defence army on a dead man. But to what extent he is still functioning is another question. According to a German officer captured on the Western Front, Hitler is mad and does not trust anyone. This officer was previously stationed at Hitler's headquarters. He 6aid that mutual distrust, insecurity and jack of personal courage existed at Nazi headquarters. "Hitler," says this officer, "tolerates only staff officers who give him a coloured and optimistic picture of a situation. Fie has no use for a cool calculating officer who is able to face facts, even if they are uncomfortable." Dr William Brown, whose opinion on Hitler's mental condition is stated in the cablegram, is director of the Institute of Experimental Psychology in the University of Oxford. He is a Master of Arts of Oxford, a Doctor of Science of London and Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians (London). He was appointed reader in psychology at King's College, London, in 1914, and after serving in the last war, remained head of the psychology department until 1921. From 1925 to 1931 lie was psychotherapist at King's College Hospital, London. He was also formerly resident medical officer at Maudsley Hospital for nerve shock cases, and is the author of several books on psychotherapy.

9,000,000 GERMANS LOST LONDON, Nov. 12 Moscow estimates place Germany's losses in the Russian campaign at 9,000,000 men killed or captured.