HOPE OF REVOLUTION

Waikato Independent, Volume XL, Issue 3667, 13 February 1940, Page 3

HOPE OF REVOLUTION

“FATUOUS” SAY AMERICANS GERMAN ARMY’S POSITION A common form of war-time wishful thinking was expressed by Alfred Duff-Cooper, former First Lord of the British Admiralty, when he landed in Washington recently. The fighting bantam husband of the beautiful Lady Diana Manners predicted that iGerman conservatives, disgusted with Nazi-ism would dispose Hitler, and make peace. You hear this one often in Washington, the lead role in the coup d’etat always being assigned to the German officer caste, the only people who could conceivably do the job. American experts’ refutation of the story is unusually revealing, as a commentary both on war-time thinking and on the nature of the Nazi State. Unpleasant Story According to the shrewdest of our officials, the first thing to remember is the tremendous change in the German military leadership since Hitler took power. Many of the old generals and lesser officers were certainly deeply .affronted at the character of their new Nazi masters, and chilled to the marrow by such incidents as the gross murder of their crony, Genei'al von Schleicher, and Frau von Schleicher. But the old generals are gone, in a welter of intrigue. The crucial incident of the unpleasant story was the decision of the former War Minister, General von Blomberg, to ignore army caste rules and marry-a secretary. The caste had been giving trouble to the Nazis. Von Blomberg persuaded Hitler not only to approve the marriage,, but also to signify his approval by attending the wedding ceremony. Thereupon General von Fritsch, then Commander-in-Chief of the Army : demanded an interview with the Feuh-. rer, bitterly protested against what ,von Blomberg had done, and ertded by making the statement that this insult to Army caste snobbi'sm would demoralise his officers. Von Blomberg feeling the pressure too great, went on a honeymoon to Italy, and stayed there. Devoted to Hitler Meanwhile, however, von Fritsch and the other top-ranking generals were involved in a violent palace

struggle with Heinrich Himmler, leader of the S.S.’ Corps, and chieftain of the Gestapo, who wished to put political agents to spy on the officers, and had established four S.S. regiments of his own. Von Blom.berg’s disgrace created an uncertain situation, of which Himmler took prompt advantage. Following the usual Nazi pattern, he trumped up elaborate morals charges against von Fritseh. Von Fritsch demanded trial, was acquitted, but found himself dismissed from command. The last heard of von Fritsch was when he was killed in Poland. The authorities disagree as to whether his death came by murder by S.'S', men, suicide, or simple over-daring. 'He had been without power since January 1938, when he was replaced as Commander-in-Chief by General von Brauchitsch. Von Brauchitsch, with the Chief of Staff, General Keitel, the cold, steel-minded strategist, General Haldern, and the half-Jew-ish air technician, General Milch, are now the important (Army figures. All of them have been with Hitler from before the Austrian anschluss. All except Milch, who is Goering’s man, are Hitler’s personal appointees. They owe much to him, are devoted to him, and would support him. in any but the most extraordinary circumstances. Contentment by Surfeit Furthermore, these generals at top are not unrepresentative of the Army caste as a whole. The caste itself has been diluted, under the Nazis, by a tremendous recruitment of low-rank officers of non-army background. At the same time, everything possible has been done to conciliate the obstinate caste feeling. Army pay, considering the German standard of living, is remarkably high. • The Army gets first choice at whatever it wants, for Germany ha's been a military State since 1933. Hitler shows immense personal interest in- the Army’s needs, gratifyingjy leaving strategic problems tox the judgement of the generals, but constantly conferring, with them on technical matters concerning equipment and the like. The Army has direct access to Hitler, not only through members of the high command, but also in such forms as reports of the German military attaches abroad, which are routed straight to the Reichs-chancellery without diplomatic censorship. For all these reasons, men who know them will tell you that von. Brauchitsch' and Haldern, List, von Witzhehben, Blackowitz and the others who might possibly lead a coup d’etat have now become Hitler’s strongest supporters. After all, if a purely military State cannot command its army’s enthusiasm, it must be doing a pretty poor job.