NEW NAZI PURGE IS AUTO HUNT

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 121, 25 May 1942, Page 5

NEW NAZI PURGE IS AUTO HUNT

PAPEN'S FAILURE

Troubles Increasing On Home Front

United Press Association.—Copyright. Rec. 1.30 p.m. LONDON, May 24. The foreign editor of Reynold's News is of the opinion that Hitler is planning a new purge of Nazi party leaders. "Though it will be less drastic than the night of the long ? un it will involve many of the best-known party chiefs. One of the first heads to roll into the basket is likely to be that of von Papen. Led by Goebbels and Ribbentrop, the 'Papen-must-go' clique is stressing his failure to bring Turkey into the Axis orbit." Goering's establishment of a council of service chiefs and industrialists Is the second important German home front development during the week-end, says the Daily Telegraph's diplomatic correspondent. The other was the dismissal of Dr. Walther Darre, Minister of Agriculture. "A remarkable feature of Goering's move is that the council does not include any active member of the Nazi party apart from Goering himself," adds the correspondent. "Practically all personally support Goering. The council has decreed the introduction of more foreign workers, restricted holidays and longer hours. "The council includes General von Milch and Colonel-General Fromm, who is an old collaborator of Goering's, also Paul Kleiger, of the Hermann Goering works, and other military, naval and industrial personalities. "Darre's downfall is due to the breakdown of the German food policy, with which he has been associated since Hitler came into power. He has been chosen as a scapegoat. Darre's succcssor is Herbert Backe, who has always been State secretary under Darre, and consequently no real policy change can be expected." Following the announcement of the resignation of the Minister. Goering told the German farmers this week that crops must be increased at all costs. The Berlin announcement that Dr. Darre has been replaced as Minister of Agriculture ancl Food is regarded in London as profoundly significant. There can be little doubt that Dr. Darre Is being thrown aside as a scapegoat for the failure of the Nazi agricultural policy.