The Waterbury Democrat., 1944-11-13
Mystery Of Hitler Grows
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 Then, attempting to explain Hit ler's singular absence from public life at this critical hour, Semmler added fresh fuel to the worldwide speculation that the Fuehrer was sick or dead, or had been driven inc sane by disaster.
 Explanation
 eff the Fiehrer spoke so seldom during recent months and was com pelled ot pass on this talks to his nearest collaborators, we know all the same that every single word of his has special importance" he said ''The whole world realizes this"
 Semmler made no further men, tion of Hitler, in whose name a proclamation was read yesterday calling on Germany to fight against enemies within and without the nation.
 London observers speculated that Gestapo Chief Heinrich Himrnler might be emergng as the actual ruler of Nazi Germany and that the slrewd "hangmar1" was seeking to preserve the Hitler legend while establishing himself in power.
 The mystery of Hitler'S disappear ance from public life and the dor1- estic situation in Germany also was deepened by:
 1-Hitler's failure to show himself yesterday even for the postponed observation of the Munich beer hall putsch anniversary.
 2The fact the fuehrer'S procla- nation was read by his Gestapo chieftain Heinrich Himmler.
 3-A frank admission by Joseph Goebbels, Nazi minister of propa- ganda and total war mobilization, that the European war was in its last round.
 4-Unconfrmed reports from Sweden that Hitler was either dead or out of power and that Himmlre was preparing to assume the job or No. Nazi.
 The proclamation, read by Him. mler in voice that occasionally sounded like poor imitation of Hitler's, was based almost entirely on an attempt to preserve the Ger man nation from it's inner and outer enemies, which Hitler clamied his National Socialist movement In 1923 accomplished. He charged the Allies directly with instigating the plots against his life in the "one hope that they could deliver a decisive stab III the interior of our country as was al- ways the case when they did not know how to achieve successes against Germany in another way. Hitler's proclamation said the plotters had hoped to break German resistance at its root by striking at him, and he added:
 "As Long As Live" "As long as am alive, Germany will not suffer the fate of European states which have been overrun by Bolshevism as long as there is a breath left in me, my body and my soul will serve only one thought to make my people strong in defense and attack against the most mortal peril that is threatening it."
 The proclamation indicated the Nazis possibly were contemplating another blood purge. It recalled that the ranks were cleansed in the 1884 revolt and after the July 20 attempt on Hitler's life, warning:
 whoever today uses dagger or bomb against Germany will be destroyed without mercy and with out consideration .. The time TOT people who like to make comprov misses or reservations is definitely over,"
 Himmler, who now is looked upon as second to Hitler in Germany, read the proclamation from the Nazi Beer Hall Shrine in Munich, where the anniversary celebration of Nov. g, was postponed until yes- terday because of military neceS. sities."
 Goebells, ill conceding that the war had entered the Hast round, asserted that the Germans intend to win this last round, with our last breath if necessary"
 ''NO Full Surrender"
 Speaking at the induction of men into the Volksturm (People's Army) in Berlin, the propaganda minister indicated the Nazis would not ac- cede to unconditional surrender" maintaining that the Germans "are determined to impose on our enemies a hard and high price,"
 "Our peoples tragedy of Nov. 9, 1918 will never be repeated" ne asserted. we shall never lay down our arms and trust the enemy who knows no mercy if we should be- come defenseless."
 Goebbels claimed that Germany was standing firmly on its feet" and i've are neither morally nor mate rially worn out"
 The induction of Volksturm re cruits at Berlin was part of series of such services throughout Ger many. The TranSocean News Serv" ice said the number of inducteeS could not be disclosed for military reasons but explained that 1t was very considerable number running into the millions"
 Hitler Kidnapped?
 Meantime, a Stockholm dispatch said the so-called free-G German press bureau quoted alleged underground reports from Berlin that rumors were circulating that Hitler das dead or at least no longer able to ex- ercise power after being kidnapped" by Himmler and Goebbels and vir- tually held prisoner at Obersal2- burg.
 The Stockholm Morgan Tiwnin- gen said the clandestine Atlantlc radio reported that 100000 copies of a proclamation by Himmler ap- pointing himself "the New German Fuehrer" had been printed and were ready in Berlin for fast distribution the moment Hitler no longer was able to exercise power.
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