The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-02-11

At the moment he is breakfast ing on the veranda in the sunshine. Dietrich described rumors of a breakdown" as nonsense. He said that Hitler's issuance of invitations for a reception to the diplomatic corps in Berlin February 15 was a sign that he was continuing his normal duties. He added that Hitler would most certainly be in Berlin on that date for the reception.
 No Frontiers Closed
 Regarding rumors disseminated abroad that Germany's frontiers were closed, Dietrich said:
 T am sitting here two kilometers q 1-2 miles) from the border. My friends and associates often go across the frontier to have coffee"
 He ended with an appeal to people abroad to use common sense III evaluating sensational reports re- garding Germany. Dietrich is Reich press chief of the National Socialist (Nazi) party. This is not government post but one when approximates that Of supervisors of the German press from the edl- torial point of view. He is very close to Hitler and accompanies the Fuehrer on most of his journeys Tn Berlin, his offices are across rom Hitler's chancellery. :. Alfred Berndt, deputy press cnle1' | in a foreign press conference here supplemented Dietrich's statement Not One Change
 He asserted officially that since the February 4 shakeup communl- que there had not been single per sonnel change in the army ana tnat none was contemplated. He said that those officers whose retirement or transfer was announced i'll the com munioue were still at their offices and that the changes would not pe effected until February 20. 'FeD- r,1arv 28 had been mentioned m the communique as the e11ecIlVe oa'o VI most retirementsO
 Berndt firmly denied rumors Q unrest in the army, the flight o1 oi. o. ficers and clashes between Ss troopers and army men.
 Speaking, he said, in behan O Dr. Paul Joseph Goebbels, propaa' ganda minister, and DleIlcll Berndt attacked before more tnai 100 foreign press correspondents "the grotesque, vicious campaign ol rumors" which he said had arlseI regarding German affairs.
 Started in Poland
 Claiming that the campalgi started in Jewish quarters II Poland" Brandt called the rumor "a danger to world peace" ana sal' it was to be noted that rumors gen orally appeared first in small town bordering on German frontiers II nejghboring states rather than II Berlin or in other capitals.
 In the course of general reVleV of the situation, Berndt' cited th' examples of specific rumors, such al garrisons in revolt. fighting III th' streets between SS elite guards ant troops. occupation of army barrack by the SS, the allegation that Hltle had lost his voice, etc.
 He said the rumorS about closing the frontiers seemed to have arlsel from the fact that at one point ol the Belgian border, highways be tween Germany and Belgium ha' been closed pending regulation o motor truck traffic, which the Bel gians wanted to limit.
 Hitler Returns Feb. I5
 Berndt said Hitler would return to Berlin for the diplomatic ban ouet on Feb. 15 and open the auto mobile show on Feb. IS, as usua Replying to questions, Berndt sai Marshal Werner Von FTitsch, re tired head of the army, is ''on vaca ton" but is in his own Berlin home
 Marshal Werner Won Blombere retired war minister, who IS on Ill honeymoon in Italy certainly WI come back to Gern.sny to nve Berndt said, although it IS matte for his own private decision.
 Berndt declared there would D no privy council established for in ternal affairs like the one for for eign affairs.
 Berndt mentioned reports tha former Crown Prince Wilhelm ha hurriedly left the country withou passport. He pointed out that tn prince had booked rooms at Cortins Italy, three weeks ago and that leav ing his passport in Berlin was pure oversight.
 i Why They Resigned
 In an interchange of question with correspondents, Berndt insist ed Blomberg and Fritsch resigne for reasons of health.
 Berlin was quiet today, and Ger mans went calmly about their busi ness unaware of the furore of I'll mors beyond the frontiers. Newspa pers ignored all rumors and ofticia sources vehemently denied them.