Simon visits Hitler

Sir John Simon, the British Foreign Secretary, is in Germany today to speak with Chacellor Hitler of that country's efforts to re-arm. Though this is a violation of the Treaty of Versailles, there seems to be room for diplomatic wrangling.

Recently, Hitler has declared that all articles in the Treaty of Versailles relating to Germany's militarization have been rejected. As a completely new government than the one that signed the Treaty, this is possible. However, it is quite unusual.

Italians yield

After three and half months of appeals by the Abyssinian Empire to the League of Nations, something has finally happened. Italy has finally yielded to the League of Nations on arbitration of the Walwal Incident that occurred December 5th.

Abyssinia makes another appeal

The Abyssinian Crisis continues. On February 23rd, the Italians began to increase the troop level in the neighboring colonies of Eritrea and Italian Somaliland. With little international protest to these actions, Mussolini continued undeterred.

On March 8, Abyssinia again requests arbitration and notes Italian military build-up that no one seems to care about.

On March 13, Italy and Abyssinia agree on a neutral zone in the Ogaden. Yesterday, Abyssinia again appealed to the League due to continued Italian build-up that shows no sign of decreasing.

Germany violates Treaty of Versailles

In clear violation of the Treaty of Versailles, Germany's Chancellor Adolf Hitler has ordered the rearmament of Germany. Germany was limited to only 100,000 men in its armed forces with even fewer arms. Military Conscription was also reintroduced to facilitate a better military.

Germany's Air Force

Yesterday, Germany announced the existence of the Luftwaffe. Unofficially, this has been known since February 26th.

In clear violation of the Treaty of Versailles, the government of Germany has been producing planes for two years. There has been no reaction from Great Britain or France.

At this time, Great War Ace Pilot and President Hermann Göring is the Minister and Oberbefehlshaber of the Luftwaffe.

Abyssinia makes second appeal

The Government of Abyssinia makes a second appeal to the League of Nations for arbitration in the Walwal incident. This was a skirmish between Abyssinian and Italian troops in Abyssinian territory that took place on December 5th.

The League of Nations has done nothing at this point prompting the Abyssinians to ask again for arbitration.

Saarland back in German hands

Today, Germany has gained more land. The Saarland voted on January 13th to rejoin Germany and today it has happened. The French have ended their control of the region and it has now been taken by Germany.

Joseph Bürckel has been appointed the Reichkommissar für die Rückgliederung des Saarlandes. His title translates as "Imperial Commissioner for the re-union of Saarland".

Saarland plebiscite approved

The League Council, a committee within the League of Nations, has voted today to approve the recent plebiscite that occurred in the Saarland.

The people of the Saarland voted overwhelmingly to reunite with Germany and end the mandate. The French government will no longer administer to the region.

Saarland votes to rejoin Germany

By an overwhelming majority, the people of the Saarland have voted to rejoin Germany. The exact percentage of votes for the measure was 90.73%. This is roughly the same as the population of ethnic Germans residing in the area.

Among the other options on the referendum, 8.86% voted to retain the status quo. A third option of joining France received a paltry 0.41% of the vote.

Besides the Nazi involvement with opinion leading up to the vote, the Catholic Church also supported rejoining Germany. There has also been concern with Bolshevism.

Shortly after the vote was tallied, Hitler announced that Germany "had no further territorial demands to make of France."

The French administration will be withdrawing from the region as soon as possible.

Plebiscite in the Saarland today

The Saarland, in Southwest Germany, has been occupied by the French since 1920. This is a 15-year mandate, part of the Treaty of Versailles.

Despite the French Occupation, the area is highly populated by ethnic Germans. In the past two years, the local anti-Nazi political organizations have either fled or dissolved. Many that oppose the Nazis would like to see the Saarland remain under French administration.

But it will be up to the people of the Saarland. They can vote today for their future.

Franco-Italian Agreement

The French Minister of Foreign Affairs Pierra Laval sat down with Il Duce, Benito Mussolini, to hash out an agreement involving Abyssinia. Largely this was to to gain Italy as an ally in the chance that Germany might attack France in the future.

Italy gained parts of the French Somaliland and changed the official status of Italians living in Tunisia. On top of this, the French are giving the Italians a free hand in dealing with Abyssinia. In exchange, France is looking for support if Germany ever turns agressive to them.

Abyssinia appeals to League of Nations

In an effort to rectify problems with Italy that have risen in the past month, Abyssinia has made an appeal to the League of Nations. Emperor Selassie made a personal appeal to arbitrate between Abyssinia and Italy.

Italy Abyssinian relations get heated

Six days ago on December 5th, there was a skirmish at Walwal between between Abyssinian troops and Somali troops in service to Italy. The reasons for Italy's alleged aggressive activity are unknown. However, Italy claims that the Abyssinians were armed with machine guns. The Abyssinians claim that the Italians had two tanks and three aircraft. They also claim that the Italians attacked them.

The ratio of casualties was 3:1 with 150 Abyssinians and 50 Italians dead.

On December 6th, the Emperor of Abyssinia, Haile Selassie, protested against aggression that occurred at the border town of Walwal the day before.

Italy demanded an apology two days later. Furthermore, today, the Italians demanded financial and strategic compensation.

Hindenburg's Funeral

President Paul von Hindenburg was honored with an elaborate state funeral today. Last night, his casket was brought to the site in a torch lit parade.

He was laid to rest at Tannenberg, Prussia. His wife Gertrud, who passed away in the 1920's, is buried in Hanover.

Hitler has made himself both Chancellor and President 6 days ago. His new title is Der Führer.

New Laws in Germany

Immediately after the death of President Hindenburg, new laws which took effect with his passing were announced. The edict states:

The Reich Government has enacted the following law which is hereby promulgated.
Section 1. The office of Reich President will be combined with that of Reich Chancellor. The existing authority of the Reich President will consequently be transferred to the Führer and Reich Chancellor, Adolf Hitler. He will select his deputy.
Section 2. This law is effective as of the time of the death of Reich President von Hindenburg.

The same day, members of the Heer, the German Army, were required to take an oath of allegiance to Hitler himself, not the German state or an office. The oath reads:

"I swear by God this sacred oath: I will render unconditional obedience to Adolf Hitler, the Führer of the German Reich and people, Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, and will be ready as a brave soldier to risk my life at any time for this oath."

It is unclear of the constitutionality of the laws at this time. Hindenburg's state funeral is set for August 7th.

President Hindenburg Dead

President Paul von Hindenburg, 86, died today at approximately 9 AM local time, in Neudeck, East Prussia, of Lung Cancer. Herr Hindenberg served as President since 1925. He named no successor. Currently, Adolf Hitler is the Chancellor.

Hindenburg was born in Posen, Prussia, on October 2, 1847. His lineage was that of an aristocrat. In fact, his full name, not often used in public, is Paul Ludwig Hans Anton von Beneckendorff und von Hindenburg. He was a direct descendant of Religious leader Martin Luther.

Hindenburg fought in the Army during the Austro-Prussian War of 1866 and the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-1871. He was present in Versailles when the German Empire was formally proclaimed on January 18th, 1871. He also served in the Honor Guard in the Military Funeral of Emperor William I in 1888.

He was General of the Infantry and retired from the Army in 1910 only to be recalled in 1914 with the outbreak of the Great War.

Though Hindenburg was a noted monarchist all his life, he and a staff member Wilhelm Groener, persuaded Kaiser Wilhelm II to abdicate for the greater good of Germany. This was an episode of Hindenburg's life that brought him considerable guilt and embarrassment.

From his Army career, he was decorated with some of the highest medals available in the Wehrmacht notably the Iron Cross, the Military Order of Max Joseph, the Order of the Black Eagle and the Pour le Mérite, a Prussian decoration nicknamed the Blue Max and dating to 1740.

Hindenburg became President on May 12, 1925 and took his oath to the Weimar Constitution seriously. He was known for the dignity and decorum he brought to the office. He kept himself above the sniping German politics of the era and seemed to operate more as a constitutional monarch then an elected official. In fact, he was nicknamed the Ersatzkaiser, or Substitute Kaiser.

He won re-election in 1932 though by then was in poor health and of considerable age. After that, he dissolved Parliament twice as politics flared. The new National Socialist Party, or Nazi, had received an enormous amount of the vote. After the Machtergreifung in early 1933, the Reichstag was burned possibly by Communist Party members. Hindenburg signed the Reichstagsbrandverordnung, or the Reichstag Fire Decree, on February 28th. This suspended civil liberties such as that of the Press, Assembly ant Communication Rights.

Hindenburg was a family man. He married Gertrud von Sperling, also an aristocrat, who preceded him in death. From the union there were three children, duaghters Irmengard Pauline and Annemaria and one son Oskar.

German-Polish Non-Aggression Pact

Poland and Germany signed a 10-year Non-Aggression Treaty yesterday.

Both Countries have been aggressive toward each other following the Treaty of Versailles. There has actually been a customs war going between the two for some time.

This pact effectively normalizes relations between the two. It also ends the disputes on the border.

Previously, in October, it was reported in French newspapers that the Polish Embassy in Paris, had been offering to both France and Belgium, to wage a pre-emptive war against Germany and Hitler. Nothing came of this obviously.

The Text of the Agreement translated into English:

The German Government and the Polish Government consider that the time has come to introduce a new phase in the political relations between Germany and Poland by a direct understanding between State and State. They have, therefore, decided to lay down the principles for the future development of these relations in the present declaration.

The two Governments base their action on the fact that the maintenance and guarantee of a lasting peace between their countries is an essential pre-condition for the general peace of Europe.

They have therefore decided to base their mutual relations on the principles laid down in the Pact of Paris of the 17th August, 1928, and propose to define more exactly the application of these principles in so far as the relations between Germany and Poland are concerned.

Each of the two Governments, therefore, lays it down that the international obligations undertaken by it towards a third party do not hinder the peaceful development of their mutual relations, do not conflict with the present declaration, and are not affected by this declaration. They establish, moreover, that this declaration does not extend to those questions which under international law are to be regarded exclusively as the internal concern of one of the two States.

Both Governments announce their intention to settle directly all questions of whatever sort which concern their mutual relations.

Should any disputes arise between them and agreement thereon not be reached by direct negotiation, they will in each particular case, on the basis of mutual agreement, seek a solution by other peaceful means, without prejudice to the possibility of applying, if necessary, those methods of procedure in which provision is made for such cases in other agreements in force between them. In no circumstances, however, will they proceed to the application of force for the purpose of reaching a decision in such disputes.

The guarantee of peace created by these principles will facilitate the great task of both Governments of finding a solution for problems of political, economic and social kinds, based on a just and fair adjustment of the interests of both parties.

Both Governments are convinced that the relations between their countries will in this manner develop fruitfully, and will lead to the establishment of a neighbourly relationship which will contribute to the well-being not only of both their countries, but of the other peoples of Europe as well.

The present declaration shall be ratified, and the instruments of ratification shall be exchanged in Warsaw as soon as possible.

The declaration is valid for a period of ten years, reckoned from the day of the exchange of the instruments of ratification.

If the declaration is not denounced by one of the two Governments six months before the expiration of this period, it will continue in force, but can then be denounced by either Government at any time on notice of six months being given. Made in duplicate in the German and Polish languages.

Berlin, January 26, 1934.
For the German Government:
FREIHERR VON NEURATH.
For the Polish Government
JOSEF LIPSKI.

Americans question participation in 1936 Olympic Games

When the American Olympic Association met last week in Washington everyone knew it would be asked to do something about the status of German Jewish athletes and the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin. When the meeting adjourned, many a delegate was still not clear as to exactly what he had done.

The question was first formulated in the annual convention of the Amateur Athletic Union at Pittsburgh, immediately preceding the Olympic meeting. There bald, white-fringed Gustavus Town Kirby took the floor. He recalled the meeting of the International Olympic Committee last June at Vienna, where German delegates promised not to exclude Jews from their teams. Since then, said Mr. Kirby, Jews had not only been barred from teams but by various Nazi rules had even been prevented from training. He offered a resolution calling upon the American Olympic Association to refuse to send a U. S. team to Berlin "unless the [German attitude] is so changed in fact as well as in theory as to both permit and encourage German athletes of Jewish faith or heritage to train, prepare for and participate in the Olympic Games of 1936." The resolution was loudly adopted. On to Washington marched the A. A. U.'s delegates.

Meanwhile the German Olympic Committee retorted that its Vienna pledge would be strictly observed, denied that any discrimination against Jewish athletes was contemplated. But the American Olympic Association had ample evidence of discrimination, not by Government decree but by Nazi-dominated athletic organizations. Boxing clubs banned Jews altogether. In hockey, Jews were removed from the first three teams. According to the Ullstein Vossische Zeitung, Jews were to be excluded from tennis "but individual clubs could retain members belonging in old established families."

Nevertheless the cautious American Olympic Association was not to be stampeded into adopting the A. A. U.'s "boycott" plan. Against fiery old "Gus" Kirby stood equally fiery Brigadier-General Charles H. Sherrill, American member of the International Olympic Committee and onetime Ambassador to Turkey. Barked General Sherrill: "In its present form [this resolution] is a threat to Germany. I move it be amended so as to be a protest. . . ."

The resolution the A. O. A. finally adopted "expressed hope" that restrictions on Jewish athletes would be lifted before the time for preparing for the 1936 games so that U. S. teams "can and will be certified for competition under the Olympic standard."

Reichstagsbrandverordnung!

In response to the fire at the Reichstag, after being asked by newly appointed Chancellor Hitler, President Hindenburg issued a decree yesterday suspending several German Civil Liberties. It goes into effect immediately and would be so until further notice.

The decree, officially called Verordnung des Reichspräsidenten zum Schutz von Volk und Staat (Order of the Reich President for the Protection of People and State), suspends Article 48 of the German Constitution. Many of the Liberties that have been suspended are the freedom of opinion, Habeas Corpus, Freedom to assemble, Freedom of the press, Freedom, Privacy of Postal, telegraphic and telephonic communications, and warrants being necessary. In addition, property rights have been restricted and the government's ability to confiscate property have been loosened.

In the further articles 2 and 3 of the decree, the Reich government was granted powers normally accorded federal states. Further articles 4 and 5 set out strict penalties such as capital punishment for arson to public buildings. Article 6 of the declaration stated that the decree went into affect at proclamation.

The fire occurred six days prior to scheduled parliamentary elections. This election was set after Hitler's appointment to the Chancellorship. He urged the President to dissolve the Parliament and set these elections.

Reichstag Burns

In Berlin tonight, the Reichstag building burned. It appears to be a case of arson. A Dutch man by the name of Marinus van der Lubbe as found without a shirt in the building. it is believed that the man has recently arrived in the country to carry out this arson attack for the Communist Party.

Berlin firefighters were alerted to the fire at 2200 hours, Berlin time. Within an hour the building was gutted but the fire was extinguished.