Evening star., 1945-02-11
BY LOUIS p. LOCHNER,
Associated Press War Correspondent.

| Dy AOOAS Z. AOSE1lNE EN-,
| Associated Press War Correspondent.
SPA, Belgium, Feb. 10-It was by
deliberately withholding from the
German people a portion of Field
Marshal Paul Won Hindenburg's will
that Adolf Hitler created the i'm
preston the old soldier wanted him
to take over as chief of state when
exactly the opposite was true and
the marshal favored reinstatement
lof the monarchy.
Only three living persons besides
Hitler, so far as I can ascertain,
knew the secret of Hindenburg's
will. Two Of them. Franz Won Papen
and the chief of the presidential
chancellory, Otto Meissner, still are
in Germany. A third, whose name
must be withheld, lives in exile.
From a casual phrase dropped at
a dinner party somewhere In
Europe, stumbled on the fact that
Ia distinguished exiled anti-Nazi
German who sat opposite me was
that third man and must know the
secret.
Hitler Acted Quickly.
Won Hindenburg died early in Au-
gust. 1884, Before. the army chiefs
tcouid get together to confer on the
situation thus created, Hitler had
proclaimed himself as Hindenburg's
successor. In the early hours Of the
morning, the entire German Army
was compelled to swear personal
oath of loyalty to Hitler.
As was his custom, Hitler then
arranged for a plebiscite to prove
to the world that the German peo-
pie approved OF this step. The
prebiscite was a phoney, since II
was a clear cut case of voting for
Hitler or else. During the flood OF
Nazi oratory which preceded the So
called plebiscite, much was made OF
the Hindenburg will in which it was
supposed that Germany's military
idol had desired Hitler to succeed
him.
What was released to the world
as Hindenburg's will actually was
only the first of several parts Of that
document. It spoke in general
terms of the necessity of German
unity and unified leadership, but did
not mention Hitler.
The Nazis interpreted this to
mean that Hindenburg saw his life's
dream Of German unity and leader
ship realized in Hitler. Most cor
respondents then stationed in Ger
many felt that the published will
was a forgery or else that something
was missing.
Tried to Solve Mystery.
Since 1894 I have been trying to
solve the mystery. One rumor had
/ it that the Hohenzollern family pos
sessed copy of the true will.
became convinced after much ques-
tioning of members of that former
dynasty that If Wilhelm II actually
had copy he did not even tell his
heir, Crown Prince Frederick Will
helm.
After the former Kaiser's death
in 1910, I checked again. No trace
of the will was found among his
papers. I learned much later that
he actually never received copy
though he knew of Hindenburg's
desire to have the monarchy re-
stored.
On my reassignment to European
duty last November I was firmly
determined to try to solve the
mystery somehow after entering q
conquered and defeated Reich. But
I didn't have to wait for the con-
quest Of Germany. The dinner
table conversation gave me the clue.
This third man seemed flabber-
gasted for moment at my detection.
When I pointed out that if he
spoke up now he might help our
psychological warfare on Nazi-ism
he agreed to meet me privately
provided I would spring the story 50
far from his home that his identity
could not be guessed by the Nazis
and the members of his family still
living in Germany would not be
liquidated in reprisal.
Story Is Told.
After visiting the historic hall In
Spas leading hotel where Hinden-
burg, at q meeting Of the imperial
general staff on November 8, 1918.
advised the Kaiser to go to the
Netherlands, and after inspecting
the Chateau du Neubois, 21s miles