Von Papen Allies Gain in Strength

The alignment of forces fighting for control of Germany continued today to be drawn more closely, with the conservative elements apparently strengthening their position.

While Chancellor Hitler debated whether to throw overboard the Nazi radical wing chiefly responsible for putting him into a striking position for supreme power in the Reich in favor of the conservative elements represented by Vice Chancellor von Papen and the great industrialists, the latter group stood strengthened considerably by Hitler’s decision not to permit forced dissolution of the Stahlhelm, which is lined up solidly with the conservatives, and by the doubt as to whether the Nazi storm troops, mainstay of the radical Nazis, would be continued as a private army.

PROGRAM, MAIN QUESTION

The struggle, as it has shaped up since von Papen’s memorable speech at Marburg a week ago, is not so much a pro and anti-Hitler fight at this time as it is a question of program and the side that Hitler will take in it. The conservatives—for the moment at least —seek merely to win over Hitler to the program they think necessary to save Germany from utter collapse. The radicals insist on complete fulflliment of the Nazi program.

Hitler, who has until now managed to keep both factions in rein, and has successfully held together a cabinet composed of men of widely dissimilar beliefs and aims, has reached the point where he can no longer do this and must take one side or the other.

Political circles, in view of this, gave much thought to reports from usually well-informed Warsaw circles that Hitler would act in accordance with advice given him by Mussolini and by Polish circles through Minister of Propaganda Goebbels, to cast his lot with the moderates.

The ousting of Goebbels from the cabinet, and its reconstruction along conservative lines, was considered here tonight a likely development. The name of Dr. Hein-