Jewish opinion in Germany which has been alarmed by the growing strength of Hitlerism, and the threats thrown out by Hitlerist leaders of their coming capture of power, possibly by a coup d’etat, has been reassured’ to-day by the drastic warning addressed to the Hitlerists over the wireless by the Federal Prime Minister, Dr. Bruening, in explaining the new decrees issued by the Government, that the Government will not tolerate any attempt by the Hitlerists, whom he described as visionaries feeding the people on illusions, to seize power in the country, and declaring that the Government will not hesitate to proclaim martial law if necessary.
Hitler’s constant declarations that his movement will proceed only by legal means are worthless, the Premier said while other leaders of his movement are continuing to incite people to bloodshed.
The new decrees among other provisions ban the wearing of uniforms by Hitlerist storm troopers or by any other political organisations, Republican, Socialist or communist. All weapons must be given up, and severe penalties will be imposed on people found in possession of arms, and all mass meetings are prohibited from December 20th. to January 3rd.
There is only one Government in the country, Dr. Bruening declared, and no one except the President of the Republic and the Government, supported by the armed forces of the State will be allowed to exercise authority in the State. No one but the spokesman of the Government, the Premier added, alluding to the interview given on Saturday by Hitler to correspondents of the English and American Press, in which he outlined the policy of a Hitlerist Government, has a right to speak to foreign opinion in the name of Germany.
In Jewish quarters information has been obtained according to which Hitler before he gave his interview to the English and American Press correspondents struck out all questions which they had put to him regarding the Hitlerist policy towards the Jews, in that way evading the question for foreign public opinion, while leaving himself free to act against the Jews when the Hitlerists come into power.
Dr. Bruening’s speech has had the effect of demonstrating that despite the Hitlerist gains in recent months, the anti-Hitlerist forces are still stronger and in power, and that the Hitlerists do not command even now more than a minority of the population.
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