GERMAN PAPERS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23730, 10 February 1939, Page 14

GERMAN PAPERS

DOOMED TO DISAPPEAR It is understood that a radical reorganisation of the German press is to take place as a result of consultations between Dr Goebbels, Minister of Propaganda, Dr Dietrich, Press Chief, and Herr Amann, head of the German Press Association, says the Daily Telegraph and Morning Post. The reorganisation in being undertaken in the interests both of economy and simplicity of Governmental control. It is likely to occasion the disappearance or amalgamation of a number of old-established papers which achieved international reputation decades ago. ‘ , . _ Reference is freely made in German press articles to the likelihood of the reorganisation affecting in varying, degrees such well-known organs as the Berliner Tageblatt, the Berliner Boersen Zeitung, the B.Z. am Mittag, the 12-Uhr Blatt. the Kreuz Zeitung, Germania, and the Maerkische Volks Zeitung. It is thought exceedingly unlikely that any of the official Nazi organs will be dispensed with. . The Boersen Zeitung, which was founded in 1855, is regarded as the leading daily paper circulating in financial circles. . Germania, before the accession of Herr Hitler to power, was the leading Roman Catholic organ of the Reich. It still retains many of its old subscribers. It was founded in 1871 after the German victory in the Franco-Prussian War. Founded by Bismarck The Kreuz Zeitung has strong Prussian Conservative traditions. It was founded in 1848 by Bismarck under the title of Neue Preussische Zeitung. . „ „ _.. The Maerkische Volks Zeitung was founded in 1888. It is owned by the Germania Company. There have been rumours for a long time of an intention to fuse the two P3 Both the 12-Uhr Blatt and the B Z. am Mittag are published by the Deutsche Verlag, formerly the Ullstein Company. It-is thought in some circles that the shares of these papers are almost identical. The Berliner Tageblatt, like Germania, was founded in 1871. It has enjoyed the reputation of a wellwritten newspaper of moderate views. Its London correspondent, Dr Stutterheim, is well known for his books on English life. The total circulation of the papers which are likely to be affected by the reorganisation of approximately 270,000. T, J « ir. An official of the Propaganda Ministry stated that nothing was known of any coming reorganisation.