UNREST IN ARMY

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 54, 1 February 1938, Page 7

UNREST IN ARMY

GERMAN DISSATISFACTION. COMMANDER’S MARRIAGE. TALK OF NEW CHIEF. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright;) Received February 1, 11.30 a.m. LONDON, Jan. 31. The Daily Telegraph’s Berlin correspondent says that Marshal von Blomberg (Minister for Defence) is likely to return from his honeymoon in Italy to find that his secret marriage with his 29-year-old secretary, Fraulein Gruhn, has created a situation requiring the highest diplomacy. It has caused a storm of criticism in the Army, where the matrimonial affairs of young officers are’subject to the strictest rules. Emulation of the War Minister’s example would be disastrous to their careers. Marshal von Blomberg’s marriage, however, is only the crystallising point in wider dissatisfaction. Th© big industrialists’ resentment against State control of armaments is shared by many high Army officers, who are also opposed to the Government’s intensified anti-Jewish policy. The ease with which the local Nazi leaders do much as they please shocks the Prussian sense of discipline. Herr Streicher’s easy victory after his newspaper the Stuermer was forbidden has aroused misgivings. PASTOR’S TRIAL. Other officers are outraged over the trial of Pastor Niemoller and are prepared to hear witness on his behalf, for which reason lie may be released. The Army is also' critical of the Nazi foreign policy, considering that it leads to undesirable friendships abroad, excluding friendships wlucli would be more natural. The lesson of the battle at Teruel in Spain is not lost on the Army. Highest Nazi quarters are xierturbed at the Army’s dissatisfaction and are considering whether Marshal von Blomberg’s regime can be allowed to continue or whether steps should he taken to prevent the dissatisfaction coming to a head. One alternative, which would at least ’ temporarily please all parties, would he th© appointment of General Goering as War Minister in addition to his other offices.