GERMANY’S LOSS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18466, 3 August 1934, Page 7

GERMANY’S LOSS

HINDENBURG DEAD HERO OF lANNENBURG LONG-STANDING ILLNESS HITLER AS SUCCESSOR (Elec. Tel. Cohyrieht—United Press Assn.) (Received August 3, 11 a.m.) BERLIN, Aug. 2. The President, Marshal von Hindenburg, died this morning without regaining consciousness from last night’s coma.

His family was at his bedside at the time. He died from weakness and exhaustion resulting from a bladder complaint from which lie had suffered for some time.

A law has already been passed that, henceforth, the Presidency and Chancellorship shall go together, and HenHitler has taken over both. The new law provides that Herr Hitler will appoint his own deputy. Herr Hitler’s new title will probably be Leader and Reich Chancellor. A plebiscite on the new law appointing Herr Hitler the Reich’s Leader and Chancellor is being held on August 19. Despite arrangements for a formal plebiscite, it is certain that no rival will bo allowed to' contest Ilerr llitlcr s candidature. It is significant, though not unexpected, that the newspapers have been warned that they must not discuss the new law under which Hew Hitler was appointed President and Chancellor. The plebiscite will undoubtedly be made into a success, which will be displayed throughout the- world as a fresh revelation o.f the national solidarity behind Ilerr Hitler. In view of the gravity of Germany’s economic, situation, interest attaches to Herr Hitler’s appointment of Dr. Schaclit, president of the Reich shank, ns temporary successor to the Minister of Economics, Herr Schmidt, during the latter’s sick leave. Dr. Schaclit, who will attend Cabinet meetings, upholds financial orthodoxy and opposes inflation and tho devaluation of the mark. Marshal von Hindenburg’s funeral will take place on Tuesday. RADIO ANNOUNCEMENT Marshal von Hindenburg had long refused medical treatment for his complaint, which he bore stoically. The mass executions on Juno 30 and the assassination of Dr. Doll fuss resulting in a strained international situation, all caused additional strain and aggravated his illness.

The announcement of his death was made to waiting press-men at Ncudeek by the half-masting of a flag. Shortly afterwards, it was announced by every broadcasting station. AH officers and officials will observe a fortnight’s mourning, and the Prussian regiments of which lie was the head, a month’s mourning. AH wireless stations suddenly stopped at 9.35 a.m. and then all linked up and Berlin heard Dr. Goebbols announce the President’s death, and thereafter observed half an hour’s silence. Dr. Goebbols announced that there would be a State funeral. lie explained the new Presidency law and the orchestra then played, “I Had a Comrade,” a well-known German military tune. Until the funeral 21 guns will be fired at 8 a.m. daily. ■ A Doom message says that the exKaiser has -telegraphed Marshal von Hindenburg’s son: “I mourn with you and the German people that a life richly blessed by the Lord has found its end. The Crown Prince will convey our last homage to the immortal hero of Tarmenberg.”

SOLDIER AMD STATESMAN BRITISH TRIBUTES ROYAL CONDOLENCES (British Official Wireless.) Rec. noon. RUGBY, Auj;. 2. The following telegram has been sent from King George to Colonel Oscar Hindenburg: “1. have learned with profound regret of the death of your distinguished father, whose high activities, both as a soldier and a statesman, will ensure an honored place in the history of your country. I offer you my sincere condolences on the great loss which you have sustained. ” The telegram was dispatched from the royal yacht, Victoria and Albert. In the unavoidable absence of the Foreign Secretary, Mr Monde called on the German Ambassador in London to express Sir John Simon’s condolences on the 'President’s death. The English newspapers publish long obituaries of the late marshal, and pay tributes to him as a stalwart, patriotic figure, who always commanded the respect of the British nation. The British Ambassador to Germany, Sir Eric Phipps, who has been on leave in England, left to-day for Berlin and will represent the King at the funeral of the President. Paul Ludwig Hans Anton von Bcneckcndorfi: unci von Hindenburg, Presi dent of Germany, was born at Posen, in East Prussia, in October, 1847. He was the son of country gentlefolk, and his family, though old, was poor and did not hold any position of note in the social life of the country. His father had served as an army officer for some 30 years, and others of his kinsfolk had been officers. His mother was the daughter of an army surgeongeneral. He served in the Austrian and Franco-Prussian campaigns GO and 70 years ago. Ho was living in retirement, a somewhat obscure general, at the outbreak of the Great War in 1914. He was called to the supreme military command of the Eastern Front. It was mainly through his ability that the great Russian “steam roller” was stopped and pushed back at Tannonbcrg and the Masurian Lakes. He was supreme commander in Germany after the Emperor between 19Hi and 1918, with the rank of marshal.

Elected in 1925 as the second President of Germany, by a narrow majority over Karl Marx, the Communist leader, he was re-elected in two ballots in 1932. He. proclaimed martial law in Prussia in July, 1932, find gave Hitler his chance on January 30, 1933, when he appointed the Nazi leader to the post of Chancellor.