A BIG SURPRISE

Hokitika Guardian, 2 June 1932, Page 5

A BIG SURPRISE

NEW CHANCELLOR

NOTORIOUS PLOTTER DURiNG WAR

(United Press Association—Gy Electric Telegraph —Copyright.)

LONDON, June 1

The "Daily Telegraph’s” Berlin correspondent says: .-. President Voji Hindenburg’s choice’ of Heir Von Papon, who was a notorious plotter in America during the war time, to form a Government, lias surprised even Germany. The “Tageblatt” declares that lie liars neither the personality nor record to justi y his choke lor such a retsponsible post. The "Vossisehe Zeitung’’ describes his selection as "impossible.” In spite of these and similar expressions, Herr Von Pa.pcn yesterday was busy forming a Cabinet, which lie expects to complete to-day. Clearly he can only succeed in holding office with the Nazi and Nationalist Parties’ support. This is understood to have been ensured, as the result of understanding between President Von HindenliUrg and Herr Hitler, who demanded, in return, tolerance from all interim government, arid all early general election, 1 ’

The "Daily Telegraph” 'recalls that Herr Von Papen was the ' German Military Attache a,t Washington in 1914, It says: "From the beginning of ihe war, lie continually violated the neutrality and hospitality of the United States. He was connected with bomb plots, passport frauds, and with an endeavour to dislocate the work of the munitions factories. Since the war time, lie has devoted himself to his estates and to politics, and to the newspaper "Germania” (an organ o' the Centre Party), of which he is the largest shareholder. Ho is only 53 years of age, and is wealthy. He is a bitter foe of Communism,' but he is otherwise quiet, reserved, and courteous.” *