Can Enforce Rule by Use of the Reichswehr Army

unable to countenance acts of the government, had prepared his resignation and would quit, were featured in the London press. The Paris Le Soir declared that this decision by the President resulted from Hitler’s message against the conservative Right, and especially against von Papen.

General von Blomberg, Reichswehr head, it declared, visited von Hindenburg to urge him to reconsider his decision, but could not obtain a definite promise from him. The Crown Prince, the paper states, also visited the President and told him his resignation would precipitate civil war. The President, according to Le Soir, agreed only to consult Hitler before making a final decision).

VON PAPEN TO GO

Von Papen, who submitted his resignation as Vice Chancellor after Propaganda Minister Goebbels prohibited publication of his Marburg speech, is expected to be out of the cabinet tomorrow. Prussian Premier Hermann Goering is expected to succeed him.

Von Papen’s situation today was one of mystery. Known to be a virtual prisoner in his home, he was reported today a suicide and a victim of an execution squad. These reports were officially denied.

Von Papen, it was stated tonight, was freed of surveillance after it had been established that he had had nothing to do with the alleged “conspiracy” discovery of which precipitated the wave of executions and arrests.

The former Crown Prince August Wilhelm was released after being closeted with Goering who cross-examined him on his connection with the alleged plotters among the Brandenburg general staff of the Nazis, of which the Kaiser’s son had been a member.

Most of von Papen’s aides in the Vice Chancellory were dead or under arrest today. His adjutant, Friedrich von Tschirsky, was reported a suicide. His secretary, Hubert von Bose, was dead. Others of his personal friends were reported arrested or given the alternative of suicide or a firing squad.

PRESIDENT’S STAND KEY

With most of Germany completely in the dark as to the trend of the dramatic developments, von Hindenburg’s health continued a cause of great concern. The attitude and stand of the aged President is considered most vital to the outcome. If the President is to take a determined stand he can exert his authority and enforce it by his command of the Reichswehr, whose primary loyalty he holds, and by his hold on the Stahlhelm. Other military and police agencies now supporting the Chancellor against his opponents might also give first allegiance to the President.

Although suffering from a chronic illness von Hindenburg was said to be in fair condition today and not seriously ill, as had been reported yesterday.

If reports that he had warned Hitler that the Reichswehr would answer for von Papen’s safety are correct, then it would indicate that the President will not passively approve every measure taken by Hitler, but will check him at certain limits.

The Propaganda Ministry this afternoon denied the report that von Hindenburg had taken this step. Earlier in the day it made public telegrams over Hindenburg’s signature to Hitler and Goering approving the steps they had taken to quell “high treason.”

The wave of arrests and executions, begun Saturday with dramatic suddenness at Munich and Berlin, had not abated today. Scores of storm troop leaders and others were reported taken into custody by loyal forces and the toll of deaths at the hands of firing squads was also reported mounting.

The government acted today to prevent construction of the deaths of its opponents as summary executions. It was announced officially that “all executions of storm troop leaders followed summary court martial proceedings.” The courts, it was stated, were composed of S. S. leaders, civil judges and Reichswehr officers.

With regard to the composition of the storm troops, who are now on a month’s vacation, it was reported that their vacation will be extended indefinitely and that the “purging” process will be extended to drop from membership all troops joining the force since 1930.