INTERNAL DISSENSION IN THE REICH

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 257, 31 October 1939, Page 7

INTERNAL DISSENSION IN THE REICH

WHY HITLER HESITATES LACK OF SUPPORT FOR SOVIET PACT PURGE PROCEEDING THROUGHOUT ARMY [By Teiegxaph—Press Association —Copyright] Iv ri ivril Oct. 7.23 p.m. NEW VjKJx. Oct. 29. In contrast to Hitler’s past actions and those over the last two months, his hesitation in the West is so marked that it cannot be dismissed as part of a plan, states the Paris correspondent of the New York Times. It is argued here that if Germany were ready to strike with a prospect of success she would have done so long ago. Hitler was always almost hysterically impatient of delay, and it is concluded that the German army was utterly unprepared for the British and French declaration of war. The Nazi Foreign Ministi r (Herr von Kibbentrop) had been assuring Hitler for months that the British would not declare war. It is certain that internal questions in Germany have complicated matters. When there was trouble within the party Hitler always dropped everything until it was settled, usually by a further concentration ot power in his hands. It is believed he summoned the gauleiters last week to test their loyalty and to impose further obligations. It is said, without confirmation, that a purge is proceeding throughout the army. It was certainly a soinesault policy that marked the Soviet pact, which has no more than titty per eent. approval, even within the parly. Hitler must strengthen the latter at all costs before he risks a major offensive. The Faris radio reports mutinies among the troops in Vienna, t'raz and Klagenfurt, which the German authorities are reported to have quelled hy shooting every tenth man.