Evening star., 1934-08-16
NAzI BAN PLACED
ON IMPERIAL FLAG
Effort for 100 Per Cent
Unity Is Seen in Latest
Hitler Move.
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
BERLIN. August 6-Confidential
orders were issued today to all mem
bers of the Nazi party to cease dis
playing the old imperial black. white
and red flag of Germany.
A threat of expulsion for failure to
comply with the orders was included,
foreshadowing an end to the banner
which the late President Paul Won
Hindenburg always a monarchist at
heart. loved and valiantly defended.
The step was taken only after his
death ended the necessity for further
Difference to the old field marShals
sentiments.
The order is regarded as q fresh
indication Nazis are determined not
to rest until Germany inwardly and
outwardly. is 100 per cent under the
swastika.
Other Developments.
ReichSbiShop Ludwig Muellers
abrupt assumption of dictatorial
church powers last week and reports
of contemplated changes in diplo-
matte posts were recent developments
in this direction.
The imperial flag was restored by
the third Reich March IL. 1888, and
given a place alongside the SwaStika
This was considered a move to win
Won Hindenburg's favor as well as
the sympathy of masses of Germans
who revered the empires colors.
There is irony in the situation, for
many members of the Stahlhelm
(Steel Helmet War Veterans ASSo-
ciation) who joined the Nad party
recently under the influence of a rec
onciliation. During the republic they
displayed the imperial banner un-
molested although it was not the
national flag. Now. under the extreme
Nazi regime, they must haul it down.
Political Will" Timely.
Political observers conceded that
the appearance yesterday of q ''po-
litical will of Won Hindenburg, COM
ing just before Germany will vote
Sunday on Hitler's taking over OF the
presidents powers, was most timely.
1t described Hitlerism as a decisive
stride" toward national unity.
Only August the propaganda min
istry emphatically denied the existence
of such a testament. A spokesman
yesterday said in explanation, "Well,
we did not know about 1t then"
The propaganda ministry obviously
is conducting a campaign to create
the image of Won Hindenburg as
Hitlers patron saint and even trans
fer Won Hindenburg'S halo" to Hitler.
News reels of the Tannenberg fu-
neral have been combined with scenes
showing Hitler and Won Hindenburg
on the rare occasions they appeared
together in public. The idea is to
create an impression Of intimacy.
Reichsbishop Mueller and his coad-
jutor officially took a hand in next
Sundays plebiscite by issuing a man
ifesto today with orders to the clergy
that its contents shall be brought
Immediately to the knowledge Of their
flocks.
The manifesto, in part, read:
I'VE all are living witnesses of
the great National Socialist move
ment, which we regard devoutly as
sent by Merciful Providence. Such
visible act of God in dealing
with this, our people, obliges US to
wholehearted surrender to His
will.
Der Fuehrer (Hitler) in combating
anti-national tendencies has held his
strong hand protectingly over the
Evangelical Church. Thus to our
church, which had until then passed
through very trying times, the oppor-
tunity has been restored to become
active again as living part of the
national whole"