REIGN OF TERROR

Wairarapa Times-Age, 1 March 1943, Page 4

REIGN OF TERROR

9 VIOLENCE BY GESTAPO MOBILISATION DECREE. HEART-RENDING SCENES REPORTED. (By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright) NEW YORK, February 25. The Berne I Switzerland) correspondent o£ the “New York Times” reports that in order to make up their loss of prestige on the Russian front the Nazi Party has instituted a veritable reign of terror at home coincident with the civilian mobilisation decree. Heart-rending scenes, fights and shootings have occurred when Gestapo patrols dragged off unsuspecting men and women to barracks and to factories. The latest Gestapo terror, the correspondent says, has even reached the top of the party. For example, the Gestapo is reported to have shot a highly-placed German diplomat and sent his wife to a concentration camp for alleged seditious activities. It is privately reported from Berlin that Herr Himmler’s special black-shirted S.S. army division has been disbanded and absorbed by the regular army as a concession to the generals, who have resumed command of the military operations. The Berlin radio today reported that Herr Rotenberger, the Uncier-Secjratary to the Minstry of Justice, in a broadcast said: “The death penalty is the only remedy for acts of violence and habitual criminals. It does not matter whether the criminal acts are serious; it is sufficient if persistent criminal acts have proved dangerous to the community. Accordingly, acts of violence to women in blackouts, and thefts of luggage and postal parcels, particularly those addressed to soldiers, have been punished by death. Nobody must consider himself so irreplaceable that he can commit criminal acts without punishment.” ■ .