CONDITIONS IN REICH

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 19886, 14 March 1939, Page 5

CONDITIONS IN REICH

INCREASING DISCONTENT SECRET POLICE ALERT "NATION WOULD MARCH" LONDON, Feb. 13. Increasing discontent, longer hours of work, a shortage of food, but a watchful secret police were noted in Germany 'by (Major-General A. C. Temperley, the military correspondent of the 'Daily Telegraph, who has just returned from a visit to Germany. "Numerous troops are available to deal with internal disorder," he states. "The national spirit has not weakened, and nothing would be more dangerous than to assume that there would (be trouble in the event of a crisis. "It is certain that the nation would march behind its leaders in a war, whatever the people's apprehensions as io its outcome. Many Germans believe that Britain would not fight. Mobilisation Plans "The army staff is planning on the basis that, in the event of Italy and France going to war, (Britain and Germany would also toe involved. The army's peace strength is 51 divisions," and it could mobilise 100 divisions. It lacks experienced officers, and is extremely short of trained reserves, as only two classes (•1935 and 1936) have passed to the reserve after two years' service. "Thus, Germany for several years vol will be at a disadvantage compared with France, whose trained reserves number at least 5,000,000. "An early German mobilisation is unlikely. There is no sign of huge manoeuvres for March. Herr Hitler has presumably counselled Signor Mussolini to exercise the utmost moderation towards France, but Germany would certainly support Italy if the worst came to the worst." Group-Captain Payne, writing in the Daily Telegraph, says that there are indications that many German aircraft .factories arc reducing output. The Heinkel factory, one of the largest in Germany, is working one eight-hour shift. "There are two possible reasons," he states. "The first is that Germany has not the money to purchase materials a'broad, or to replace worn machinery. "The second is that Germany is fully informed of foreign activities, and considers that she can maintain her present lead with slower building."