Evening star., 1943-12-15
Move 10 Put RommeI
In Command Aimed 10
Foil Anti-Hit|er Coup
By the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
LONDON, Dec. 15.-High Nazi
leaders were understood today to be
considering vesting supreme COM
mand OF the German Army in Field
Marshal Erwin Rommel in an effort
to tighten anti-invasion defenses, as
we'll as to forestall any anti-Hitler
coup by the professional generals
of the junker caste.
Rommel recently has been re-
ported touring Northwest Europe as
a kind of anti-invasion chief and
there are indications that Field
Marshal Karl Won Rundstedt may
soon be removed from command of
western defenSes, post he has held
for nearly two years.
Strictly Nazi general, who has
risen from the ranks under Hitler's
aegis, Rommel has the confidence
not only of the Fuehrer but of his
party chieftains.
Reported Planning Coup.
Won Rundstedt, a leader among
the military aristocraey, repeatedly
has been reported waiting for the
opportune moment to attempt an
anti-Nazi coup and extend a peace
bid to the Allies in the hope Of
winning terms which would permit
salvaging of enough of Germany's
war machine to set in motion
another try at world domina ton in
the future.
There have been recurrent reports
in London that the junker clique
already has unsuccessfully ap-
preached the Allies with just such
terms, which fell far short Of the
unconditional surrender formula.
Refugees from Germany, who re-
ported on their arrival here that
the Nazis were thinking Of ele-
waiting Rommel to supreme COM
mand, said also that their informa-
ton indicated the Germans feel
certain that the Allies will launch
major invasion of Denmark and
Norway almost any day. That is
one reason why Rommel was sent
to inspect defenses in the two coun-
tries, they said.
The Germans in Denmark have
been plagued by continued unrest
and sabotage, despite the strict die
tatorship they established over the
country on August % after Danish
military and naval revolt. More
than 300 persons have been arrested
by the Germans since that time.
Nazis Fear Baltic Thrust.
While the Nazis were reported to
fear an Allied Baltic thrust, sspecu-
lation that a blow might also come
in the Balkans was enlivened by
the appearance in Cairo of 1t. Gen
George S. Patton, jr., commander
of the United States 7th Army, the
activities of which have been kept
secret since the Sicilian campaign.
There was talk that he is slated for
new command.
AS German broadcasts said the
NaZiS had rushed strong reinforce
ments to the Balkans, apparently in
an effort to smash guerrilla resist
ance and to keep wavering Axis
satellites in line, political crisis |
was reported continuing in Bull
garia, with the government deSper-
ately trying to hold down the pro-
Russian masses. A Budapest broad
cast said the Bulgarian Premier, |
Dobri Bojilov, was establishing con-
tact with leading politicians to
elucidate the situation"
CA Cairo dispatch to the New
York Times said Bulgaria has
repeatedly communicated peace
feelers to the Allies, which were
rejectedD
Reports of tension came from
Hungary, too. Dispatches to the
Swedish press said opposition lead
ers IN the upper house of the Par
lament at Budapest had demanded
the withdrawal of three Hungarian
divisions from the eastern front,
where the Germans are using them
as occupation troops.