Adolf Hitler has successfully suppressed a “revolt” of his followers but today was weaker than at any time since he seized supreme power in Germany.
By his refusal to follow to its conclusions the National Socialist program, Hitler alienated the most devoted supporters he had and by employing against his storm troop leaders the forces against which they had been arrayed he put himself in the hands of the conservative element, which has been strongest in opposition to the Nazi program.
Hitler did himself irreparable damage, it is felt here, by giving official cognizance to the widespread immorality and perversion charged against his followers by his accusation that Col. Ernst Roehm, his intimate friend for years, and Edmond Heines, Silesian Nazi leader, were guilty of pervert practices. The commandments issued by Hitler to the storm troops and their commanders were also considered an admission of the corrupt practices engaged in by these agencies since Hitler came to power.
Hitler’s strenuous action against opposition was seen by the Sunday Observer today as evidence of his intention to proceed ruthlessly against any opposition from wherever or whomever it comes.
EXPECT VON PAPEN RESIGNATION
According to the Observer, the resignation of Vice Chancellor von Papen, whose speech of two weeks ago is felt to have brought the entire German situation to a head, may be counted upon in the very near future. Von Papen was taken into “protective arrest” yesterday but was freed.
Von Papen, whose tactics resulted in the dismissal of General Kurt von Schleicher as Chancellor of Germany, to give way to Hitler, and whose role in the current German scene is one of deepest mystery, remains one of the key figures in the situation.
The not unexpected developments have not caused any change in the Jewish situation, Neville Laski told the Board of Deputies of British Jews at its meeting today.
“In so far as we know,” he declared, “the Jewish position in Germany has not been altered for good or evil. There are no signs of a more just regime. No falsehood is more frequently used for propaganda than that Jews outside Germany are meddling in Germany’s internal politics.
“We do not desire to do so. Germany’s domestic policy is no concern of the Jews, except where it concerns the fate and fortune of our Jewish brothers.”
MONTEFIORE DEPLORES TRAGEDY
Leonard Montefiore, addressing the Anglo-Jewish Asociation today, deplored the death of General and Mme. von Schleicher.
“I hesitate to comment much on the events in Germany,” he said. “The Jews should avoid anything likely to be used for suggesting approval of what amounts to terror.
“A civilized people deplore the tragic death of von Schleicher and his wife. The infamous Heines was reported shot. Streicher, the organizer of the boycott and editor of Der Stuermer, was also arrested. There may be a confusion of names but apparently the more radical elements of the brown army were involved.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
