The Waterbury Democrat., 1946-10-23
Master of Intrigue, Franz VOn Papen, Gray Fox of Reich, Still Eludes Trap
By NEA Service

I
 Nuremberg, Germany, Oct. B. Franz Won Papen, the wiley gray fox" of Germany, escaped the hang mans fate of his comrades, but there are still a couple of obstacles be- tween him aud the freedom he won at the War Crimes trial.
 He may still escape completely un- scathed. Tn . lifetime devoted to intrigue and perfecting the double cross, Won Papen has come through surprisingly unhurt.
 Won Papen is a master of diplo- matic throat cutting. Even Hitler, who never trusted him for mo- ment, found him a useful tool. And Van Papen, who always hated Hit Ter, did his Fuehrer'S bidding and plotted behind his back.
 Loves Power Politics Perhaps they worked together because they both fanatically loved power politics. Won Papen's only consistent loyalty throughout his life was to that love. He was false to his party, principles and friends.
 Even his eager voice, his sharp gray eyes, and his ever-present smile were mask that he used to hide his intrigues.
 Won Papen started his double- crossing before World War I, while he was German military attache in Washington. The German war office disapproved of his first clumsy eff forts at directing U. s. sabotage and sent in Capt. Won Rintelen to set him right. Won Papen failed to en- code couple of messages involv- ing Won Rintelen and the British promptly collared the rival. Won Papen got what he wanted. But the US. sent him packing back to Ger many.
 Elected to the Reichstag after the war, Won Papen first went to work on his party leader, Heinrich Bruen- ing; one morning the Germans awoke to find Bruening out and Won Papen in-as both chancellor and dictator.
 Got Hitler Into Power
 In desperation over Hitler's grow ing strength, Won Papen offered him the evce-chancellorship; Hitler want ed the works, and both lost to Gen. Won Schleicher. But Won Papen had the personal support of President Won Hindenburg, who trusted him like 8 son. It was no trouble for Won Papen to dupe the aging presi- dent, convince him that Won Sch- leicher was plotting a putsch, and share the spoils with Adolph. The Nazis were in, with Hitler as chan cellor, Won Papen as vice. chancellor.
 Won Papen started right in plan- ming to eliminate Hitler. And Hitler apparently knew all about it. In the famous blood purge" of 1854, Won Papen's personal secre- tary and his trusted messenger were killed; Won Papen lost three teeth but not the vice-chancellor's job, which he decided was not a healthy one. He turned his eyes toward Austria in the hopes of using that country as base to regain his con- trol of Germany, but changed his mind when Hindenberg died and de- cided cooperation was the better part of double-cross.
 From then on, until the bomb plot on Hitler's life Gin which Won Papen claimed part), he apparently kept his fingers clean. He talked Austria Chancellor Kurt Won Schus- chnigg into making a fatal visit to
 Hitler; Austria fell. He succeeded in keeping Turkey neutral for most of the war, thus protecting Germany's Hank. There were ruInors of his liquidation during the war; later his name was connected with most of the stories of peace feelers when things began to go badly for Ger many.
 People Not Thorugh When U. s. paratroopers finally caught up with Won Papen in little mountain hunting lodge near Hamm, he only said
 T wish the war were over.