St. Louis Post-Dispatch from St. Louis, Missouri • Page 2

aST.L0UIS POST-DISPATCH, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 5, PAGE 2A ST.LOUIS POST-DISPATCH HIGH-ANGLE FIRE State Department Explanation Washington; Fei. s. THE text of the State Department's-statement on Us note to Japan, follows: i. c. c.

mm for com eai RE0RG1IZA1 HITLER OUSTS ARMY CHIEFS, GIVES NAZI PARTY CONTROL, TAKES COMMAND HIMSELF Von Ribbentrop Becomes Foreign Minister in Shake-upReichstag Called for Feb. 20, to Hear Important Pronouncement. Recently, reports have been recurrent that Japan not only is exceeding the limits provided in the London Naval Treaty, 1936, on the size of guns of cruisers and capital ships, but is building, or is planning to build, above the limit of types of ships as well. The question arises, therefore, whether these reports are correct and if so whether it will be necessary for the parties to the London Naval Treaty, 1938, to escalate, in accordance with the provision of the naval treaty which gives a signatory the right of escalation in the event of building not in conformity with the limits by a Power not a party thereto. Before the parties to the treaty can escalate, under its provisions they must consult.

A preliminary consultation has taken place and the British, French and American Governments have decided to approach the Japanese Government with a re- quest for information. In the following note to be delivered to the Japanese Govern-ernment by the American Ambassador to Toklo, Mr. Joseph Grew, on Feb. 5, it is suggested that the United States, as a party to the London Naval Treaty, will be glad to receive a reply to the inquiry with regard to the size and armament of Japanese capital ships and cruisers not later than Feb. 20 next.

The reason for fixing Feb. 20 is that it is incumbent upon this Government, under the London Naval Treaty, to furnish infor- mation with regard to its naval program to the Treaty Powers within the first four months of the calendar year and that in order to prepare its estimates and have them ready for communication to the other Naval Powers parties to the London Naval Treaty, it is essential that the facts upon which the estimates are based be wholly assembled at the latest by the end of February. The hope is, therefore, expressed that a reply will be Teceived from the Japanese Government by Feb. 20, in order that the exchange of information may be completed by the final date referred to in the note, that is, May JAPANESE FIGHT WAY ACROSS RIVER NEAR fENGPJI Force Negotiates the Hwai 15 Miles to East, but Chinese Block Similar Attempt by Another Unit North of City. INVADERS TAKE KWAIYUAN ON WEST They Also Report Capture of Chucheng in Shantung by Column Driving South From Tsingtao on Su-chow.

tlj UM ASSOClattf PrCSS. SHANGHAI, Feb. 5. The Jap-anese force operating against the Chinese left flank 15 miles east of Pengpu today reported fighting its way across the Hwai River and advancing north toward Kuchen, on the Tientsin-Pukow Railroad leading to Suchow. Chinese troops defending Kwal-yuan, about 10 miles west of Pengpu, also were driven back and the city occupied, the Japanese said.

Dispatches from Suchow said Chinese troops holding the north bank of the Hwai north of Pensrou. along the Tientsin-Pukow line, re pulsed Japanese efforts to cross there. Another Japanese column pushing down into East Central China from Tsingtao reported driving i.ninese troops from Chucheng in Southeast Shantung Province. This column's objective was to cut the Lunghai Railroad, the Cast-West line which crosses the Tientsin-Pukow Railway at Suchow and terminates at Haichow near the coast. The column intends to strike either at Haichow or swing westward toward Suchow if it suc ceeds in reaching the Lunghai.

One Unit Following Railway South. A Japanese column also was driving southwarcfalong the Tientsin-Pukow Railway directly toward Suchow with the intention of join ing the forces moving up from the South and pinching off a vast area lying between the Tientsin-Pukow Railway and the coast. Japanese in the Pengpu sector were headed generally northward toward Suchow. The Hwai River runs in an easterly direction through the Pengpu area, about 90 miles south of Suchow. Chinese machine gunners and artillery blocked the river crossing above Pengpu.

Chinese dispatches said these defenders were under command of Gen. Tuh Sueh-chung, and included troops of the execut ed Shantung warlord, Han Fu-chu. The Shantung soldiers were said to be trying to redeem themselves for their poor record under Han, who was put to death for failing to de fend territory assigned to him. The weather was cold in the Lunghai fighting zone and snowstorms In the Yangtze basin ham pered military operations. Farmers Flee From Fields.

The Lunghai battle zone is thick ly populated. The numerous small towns are supported by the wheat. bean and sorghum farms of the fertile- valleys fed by the Hwai, Tung- fei-Kwei and Sui Rivers. Yesterday was Lichun, or spring's beginning the traditional planting day but the farmers of the province have fled from their fields, presaging a serious crop shortage. The Japanese strength has been estimated by foreign military ob servers at six divisions, of 20,000 men each, equally distributed along the northern and southern fringes of the corridor.

The Chinese assert approximately .400,000 troops are defending the zone. Of these 200,000 are said to be based around Suchow, the Chi ziese command center, well armed and equipped with mountain guns, millimeter guns and anti-aircraft craft batteries. The area to the south of Pengpu has not been completely cleaned up by the Japanese. The two parallel columns one on the railroad, the other an overland column 30 miles to the west seemingly have merely cut a broad swath through the rich agricultural region. A strong Chinese force, for example, is on their left flank, dug in at Kaocheng, less than 20 miles southwest of Pengpu.

Heavy Losses Near Wukiang. Chinese press reports said the Chinese suffered severe losses in an ST.LOUIS POST-DISPATCH Tvaiei br'JOKEPH PTUTZXB Deo. 12. MTt TELEPHONE: MAIM 1111 Mly hf tfce PuliUer PMbiiahief Cfc, wrau jKKiievani ana vuw tft. fntisWMl SLsl BMMlMa mtm 1 1 MS 'ju Mtoffkw Hi.

udr ui tfcct of March 1871. laiiH OF THt ASSOCIATED PRESS AUDIT BUREAU Of CIRCULATION TIM iwdittd Ftoai orchuiTelT witltlrd tat ka mm for repabUeaUo all vwl diapatehaa naea Ji or not atoerwu creattM in tut iwilMiwi aad io Ur local Mara nuUhl heroin. All fichu ot republication of apodal Uspatehat Iwreis ai aba nmrol SokMrivtiM Rata ay Mail i Advisee (Applicable only where knai dealer eerrloe la not available.) and Bandar, oa year lin.M Shut. WIUmm soadar, eoe rear s.ea 0unay only, aaw year .00 Bemit either by postal enter. express ATTACKS BEGUN BY BOTH SIDES IN Insurgents Report Taking Hill Positions in Badajos Province, Loyalists Gain Near Granada.

By the Associated Press. HENDATE, France, at the Span ish Frontier, Feb. 5. Warfare spread along the southern Spanish front today with Government and insurgent troops taking advantage of warmer weather to fight for Opposing forces still were dead locked in the Aragon while insurgent planes and warships tightened their blockade of the Mediterranean coast. In Eastern Badajoz Province, near Granja de Torrehermosa, where lines have been shifting with out appreciable advantage to either side, insurgents "said they had occupied a series of strategic hill posi tions.

The Government acknowledged losing ground in this sector, but reported it had launched a new drive in the hitherto quiet sector of Granada, which resulted in occupation of Penon de la Vata and Sierra Cocoli. An insurgent coun ter-attack was defeated. In air raids along the Mediterranean coast, insurgent planes wounded 53 persons, five of them probably fatally, at Villaneuva Geltru, resort a few miles south of Barcelona. Tarragona, farther south along the coast, was attacked but the Government said the olanes were forced to drop their bombs hurriedly and only one death resulted. An air attack at Sagunto, on the Madrid-Valencia highway near Teruel, where 24 bombs were dropped, caused one death and the Injury of three persons.

This town, bombed more than 50 times, has been virtually abandoned. FORD SOMERVILLE EMPLOYES COERCt-D, EXAMINER FINDS Report to Says Men Knew Security of Employment Meant Not Joining Unions. By the Associated Press. BOSTON, Feb. 5.

A trial examiner's findings that the Ford Motor Co. "interfered with, restrained, and coerced its employes" at the Somerville plant last year were reported by A. Howard Myers, regional director for the National Labor Relations Board, yesterday. The findings and recommendations of James C. Batten, examiner, were based on complaints of the United Automobile Workers' of America, Local 440, a Committee for Industrial Organization affiliate.

The examiner found, Myers report said, that employes knew the security of their employment meant non-membership in labor organizations. He also found that foremen and other supervisory employes had been outside the union hall, when meetings were held, for the purpose of checking up on employes attending union meetings. The master further found that the number of service department employes was increased last spring by the hiring of men "described as pugilists and wrestlers." On the question of alleged discrimination against employes for union activity, the examiner found the evidence was not conclusive. He recommended that the company notify employes they "are free to form, Join or assist labor organizations of their own choosing." COMMUNIST PARTY OFFICER REPLIES TO HOMER MARTIN Committeeman Says Reds Took Lead in Setting Up Auto Union and Cannot be Ousted. By the Associated Press.

NEW YORK, Feb. 5. C. A. Hathaway, member of the Communist party's Central Committee, said yesterday Communists had taken the lead in organizing the United Automobile Workers' Union, and that Union President Homer Martin could not oust them from places of influence.

His statement was in reply to de nunciations of Communism made Thursday by Martin ixt an interview. Martin said Communists incited unauthorized strikes. "Homer Martin's declaration," said Hathaway, "will not be upheld by the rank and file of automobile workers. On the question of sit-down strikes, the Communists have been the opponents of all undisci plined, unprepared strike action even when he had to fight against the irresponsibility of Homer What Sma tilers Meant to Sav. By tbe Associated Press.

WASHINGTON. Feb. 5. Sena tor Smathers New Jersey, wno remarked yesterday before the Senate Public Lands Committee that evidence Indicated "we need new Secretary of the Interior," a few hours later hastened to explain that he had intended only to ask whether Senator Pittman Nevada, was "undertaking to show tnrough the evidence that a new Secretary was needed." Smathers added: "My remarks were not to be construed as a criticism, I am supporting the administration and all of the Cabinet members." SOUTHERN SPAN INCREASES LOSS IN MADRID SH ELLIN GS Projectiles, Falling Straight Down, Give Effect of Airplane Bombs. By tbe Associated Press.

MADRID, Feb. 5. High-angle artillery fire, which produces a parallel to an air raid, is being trained on Madrid by Spanish insurgent forces entrenched in the outskirts of this long-besieged city. The beseigers get virtually the same results without risking- their warplanes within the range of Madrid's reinforced anti-aircraft guns. Through the high-angle firing, the projectiles fall almost straight down in much the manner of bombs released from raiding planes.

The similarity is more pronounced with the use of nine-inch shells, as has been the case frequently during this week's resumption of heavy bombardment after a period of comparative quiet. The proximity of the Insurgent guns, which in some cases are only two miles from downtown Madrid, permits this kind of shelling. Accuracy sometimes is sacrificed, but the general terroristic effect is increased. Insurgent air raids virtually ceased eight months ago with the strengthening of the city's anti-aircraft defenses. Residents once counted on comparative safety during a shelling if they remained on the north or east side of a high building, because the insurgent guns are situated to the west and south.

This element of security disappeared when shells began dropping from directly overhead, js many did Thursday, accounting for heavy casualties in relation to the number of shells exploding. Another development in the beseigers' tactics is Blow, but prolonged shellings, compared to the previously brisk and usually brief be zibardments. HIROTA ELABORATES JAPAN'S VIEW OF CONFLICT IN CHINA Says It Is "Not International Warfare," Adding "We Do Not Claim Rights of Belligerents." By tbe Associated Press. TOKIO, Feb. 5.

Foreign Minister Koki Hirota told the Diet today the China "incident" is not a war either from the internal or international viewpoint. "The two nations now. are in a state of but it is not international warfare," Hirota said in answering a questioner, explaining "We especially do not claim rights as belligerents." Hirota earlier this week had said that a "state of war" existed between the two nations, although Japan has not formally declared war. Asked what Japan was doing concerning relations with the United States, Hirota replied: "It is most necessary for Japan to improve her relations with the United States, which is not a member of the League of Nations, but is contributing much to the cause of world peace and is maintaining a 'good neighbor He answered a question on Japanese steps to protect commercial interests abroad: "It is important, both from the military and financial viewpoints, to promote overseas trade. Japan needs materials from abroad at present.

Japan has been suffering inconvenience because of the exchange control ordinance. We shall do our best to obtain importation of necessary materials." SOyiET AGREES TO LET U. S. OFFICIAL SEE MRS. RUBENS Moscow Accedes to Request of Government in Behalf of American Spy Suspect.

By the Associated Press. WASHINGTON, eb. 5. The Soviet Government acceded today to a request that a United States official be permitted to see Mrs. Ruth Marie Rubens, American citizen incarcerated in Russia on suspicion of espionage.

Charge Affaires Loy Henderson cabled Secretary of State Hull that Moscow officials had agreed to the long-standing American demands and said he had asked that he or Second Secretary Angus L' Ward be allowed to visit Mrs. Rubens this afternoon or tomorrow. FIRES 40 RESTLESS BOYS Eastern Youths Dissatisfied With life in Oregon Desert. By tbe Associated Press. BEND, Feb.

5. Forty Civilian Conservation Corps enrol-lees, who longed for the bright lights of their New York and New Jersey homes, left the open spaces of the Central Oregon desert yesterday. The youths received dishonorable discharges for carrying on a sit-down strike. Officers at the grazing division camp 60 miles southeast of here said the boys had refused to work because they received insufficient food. A recent food shipment was unavoidably delayed.

Camp authorities said, however, the youths had been restless on the barren plateau. Woman Convicted of Killing Father OLYMPIA, Feb. 5. A jury convicted Mrs. Dorothy Bar- don, 26 years old, formerly of Fort Wayne, IndL, of second-degree murder today.

She killed her father, E. A. Dillon, 63, a poultry rancher, with a butcher knife last October. Mrs. Bardon almost fainted when the verdict was announced.

The court will determine the term of imprisonment. 11 Killed in Explosion in Africa. CAPETOWN, South Africa, Feb. 5 Two Europeans and nine Africans were killed yesterday in a dynamite factory explosion at Somerset West, 25 miles east of here. Since Dec 31, 1936, when the Washington Naval Treaty of 1922 and the London Naval Treaty of 1930 expired, as a result of denunciation by Japan, there has been no quantitative naval limitation, that is, a limit on the number of ships which a nation may build.

i There has been qualitative limitation, that is, a limit on the types of ships which a nation may build. This limitation has been in effect between the signatories of the London Naval Treaty of 1936 the United States, Great Britain and France and between Great Britain on the one hand, and Germany and the Soviet Union on the other. Japan took part in the early stages of the London naval conference of 1935-1936, but withdrew when the other participants were unable to accept1 the Japanese demand for a common upper limit, which meant that Japan would have naval equality in principle with the United States and Great Britain. Subsequently, in 1936, Japan was approached by the British Government and asked if it would not give assurances that the treaty limits on types of ships would in practice be adhered to by it even though it could not see its way to subscribing to the London Naval Treaty. The Japanese Government declined to give these assurances.

This Government took up with Japan the limit of the size of guns on capital ships. Under Article 4 of the London Naval Treaty, 1936, it is provided that 14 inches should be the limit of the caliber of guns on capital ships; however, if any of the parties to the Washington Naval Treaty of Feb. 6, 1922, should fail to accept this limit by April 1, 1937, 16 inches would become the treaty limit of guns carried on capital ships. Despite the efforts of this Government, Japan declined to accept the limit of 14 inches, and, a consequence of the Japanese refusal, the limit of the guns on capital ships rose to 16 inches. attack on the Japanese rear near Wukiang, along the Anhwei-Kiang-su provincial border.

The Japanese lost 400 men in the engagement. Japanese naval sources said planes bombed a wide area' of South China, concentrating on military forces and highways. These raids were said to have no connection with operations at Canton, where Japanese naval and air units were active in what was described as an effort to force the Chinese to keep troops in Kwangtung Province, rather than send them to Central China. The Bocca Tigris forts, shelled yesterday by four Japanese destroy ers, were not put out of action and the Japanese did not force their way up the river toward Canton, reports today said. Japanese said three Chinese hangars were destroyed at a landing field in the area.

100 Arrested as Japanese Agents in 'Plot at Canton. HONGKONG, Feb. 5. A Japanese plot to overthrow the Nationalist Government of Kwantung Province and set up a pro-Japanese administration at Canton was reported thwarted today with the arrest of more than 100 Japanese under cover agents. At the same time a group of onetime Chinese pirate chieftains were reliably reported to have formed a Japanese-backed administration cn several small islands off the coast of the South China province.

Advices received from Canton, where martial law was in force, said the arrests were made in a city-wide round-up ahd a raid on the headquarters of the Japanese agents, situated in a pawn shop in the center of the city. The headquarters was said to have had a wireless station capable of exchanging messages with Japan. A quantity of hand grenades and other munitions were reported to have been stored in the building. Japanese airplanes, which flew over Canton all day yesterday without dropping bombs, appeared to be observing the headquarters building. It was thought they were awaiting a pre-arranged signal from the agents indicating that a coup had been engineered successfully.

The Japanese were reported to have planned to replace the Canton Government with one headed by Li Sze-hao, member of the recently established Japanese supported Peiping administration, who arrived in Canton last week. It was rumored that, while the agents were carrying out their intended coup, Japanese marines were to land on the coast, to divert attention. Chinese reports from Canton said the alleged plot was discovered several days ago and that precautions were taken which resulted in today's wholesale arrests. Flyer Gives Up Record Attempt. By the Associated Press.

CHICAGO, Feb. 5. Benny Howard, United Air Lines research engineer, landed a specially equipped substratosphere transport plane here last night after an experimental flight from Los Angeles. The plane, powered by two new supercharged motors, and new type propellers, arriving here in the elapsed flying tim of nine hours, 56 minutes. Plans to attempt a new distance record for transport planes were abandoned at Denver, Colo- where a landing was made to change radio frequency.

He Would Reduce Caplti ization and Fixed ChaJ es, Wants Nine Prope, ties Merged. Br tha Associated Prasa. WASHINGTON, Feb. terstate Commerce Commission aminer proposed today reorgania tion of the St. Louis Southwest (Cotton Belt) Railroad, calling ft substantial reduction in capitalize tion and fixed charges.

The examiner, J. V. Walsh, re; ommended that nine properties the Cotton Belt system be merge! with a total capitalization ot 060,439. This capitalization, ever, would be increased to 002, if the courts upheld claims Dutch bondholders for payment, guilders instead of dollars, Th present capitalization is 107,634 678. Fixed charges would be reduces from $4,305,175 to $1,327,270.

Propf ertles recommended for consolidal tion include the St Louis Souts western Railway Co. of Miasour the St. Louis Southwestern Texas, the Central Arkansas Eastern Railroad Stephenvil: North South Texas Railway Col Gray's Point Terminal Railway c3 eoumeastern Kailwa, Pine Bluff, Arkansas Rivej Railway, Shreveport Bridge Te minal and the Dallas Termini Railway and Union Depot Co. Only one property in the preset Cotton Belt System, the Vallt- Terminal Railway, would not be eluded in the proposed consoliL, tion. New Capitalization Listed.

Walsh's proposed new capitalist tion, exclusive of allowince claims for guilder value, follow? Equipment obligations, J957.0CC first mortgage certificates, J20.00C, 000; Gray's Point Terminal bond; Shreveport Bridge aa Terminal bonds, secoa mortgage bonds, Raiil road Credit Corporation secured loan, $1,500,000, making a tofe funded debt of $32,725,250. capitalization would be brought a total of $81,060,439 by of preferred stock and $22,905 542 of common stock. Walsh recommended that the fcl lowing security holders be left ua disturbed by the organization: Equipment obligations, first mortgage certificates, 000; Gray's Point Terminal bond! Shreveport Bridge ant Terminal bonds, $450,000. Holders of $19,893,600 of old pr ferred stock would receive 20 pel cent in new common stock, whii holders of $17,186,100 of old cost mon stock would receive 10 pel cent in new common stock. Preferred Voting Rights.

Walsh said the common stock h' proposed "appears to represent portionately so small an inter in the probable earnings of tr property presently in prospect i indicated by the record, as to r. quire that the preferred shall hav voting rights." In this connection he said ll "entire control of the proper should not be in the hands those not having a substantial pro portion of the entire value of th property." Preferred dividend! in der Walsh's plans would not accumulative for more than threi years. The Southern Pacific Co. own, per cent of the capital stock of th Cotton Belt Walsh's plan wou! give it 49 per cent of the new prt ferred stock. The Cotton Belt took bankruptc acton looking to reorganization Dec.

12, 1935. Berryman Henwocx formerly a judge of the Missou: Supreme Court, was named tnu tee. The Cotton Belt and its subsii iaries operate 1700 miles of Main lines operate from St Lou-and Memphis, to Shreveport and Texas points. LOBBYING WITH PUBLIC FUNDS IS HELD ILLEGAI $71,000 Award Agaiisst Three Park District By th Associated Press. CHICAGO.

Feb. 5. Lobbyk! with public funds was held illerJ and against public policy, in opinion by Superior Judge vow S. McKinlay yesterday. He awarof ed the Chlcao-o Park District judgment for $71,000 after the amount had been convent illegally by three former of the now extinct Northwest District to lobby for a $2,000,0 ture in 1931.

Charges of conspiracy and aj ift WsrA HfcjTri isa.4 The Glen Falls Indemnity Cc was held liable for judgment by reason of having w'j i-aan nt Vi officials. Brekke and Francis X. Milano, i that amount The other rncwj Judgment also was entered agaiE3 R. E. Herczel InvesUntfj firm which floated the bond isH tive command of all armed for of the Reich." A core Hjissell.

Ann-j sador to Rome, Italian otticJt they regarded that as pureiy lermu maxier the Rome-Berlin axis. By tbe Associated Press. BERLIN, Feb. 5. Reichsfuehrer Hitler, after a Cabinet crisis, as sumed today personal command of the Germany army.

The Fuehrer, by a swift series of degrees, shook 13 high ranking, con servative generals from their jobs to end the controversy begun with his war minister's wedding. 'He took for himself direct command of all Germany's armed forces; made sweeping changes in the diplomatic service, concentrated authority more than ever before in his own hands, with a secret council on foreign affairs, and named as his foreign minister- the zealous Nazi, Joachim von Ribbentrop, the champagne salesman who became Ambassador to London. The result was Nazification of the military, 1 making the armed forces a part of the Nazi party, which has been fused with the state. Reichstag Called to Meet. Hitler has summoned the Reichstag to meet Feb.

20 to hear an important pronouncement. Whatever Hitler may disclose of his immediate plans when the Reichstag meets, one thing already is apparent the swift events, following War Minister Marshal Werner von Blomberg's resignation because the army considered his bride a carpenter's daughter "socially impossible," have removed Conser vative uenerais zrom positions where they might act as brakes. By the decrees announced yesterday, Von Ribbentrop replaces the elderly conservative. Baron Kon-s tan tin von Neurath, who becomes chairman of the new secret cabinet council to advise on foreign affairs. Today, Hitler is in direct control of the nation's armed forces, with a sort of deputy war lord carrying out the Fuehrer's instructions under the title "Chief of.

the High Command." The deputy is Wilhelm Keitel, former State Secretary in the War Ministry, who attains to cabinet rank. Chief of Staff Deposed. The Fuehrer deposed as chief of staff Gen. Werner von Fritsch, who forced the crisis by demanding that von Blomberg resign, and named Walter von Brauchitsch to his post. Von Brauchitsch, made Colonel-General, has been commander of the motorized divisions of the army.

As part of the general shakeup, Hermann Wilhelm Goering, Nazidom's No. 2 man, announced reorganization of the Ministry of Economics one more step toward Nazification of the national economy, once directed by Dr. Hjalmar Schacht. Among the casualties in the army were said to be some of the "18 Christian generals" who with Von Fritsch tried to slow Nazification of the army, and criticised what they called a pagan trend away from the basic and Christian virtues of good soldiering. The diplomatic changes included the recall of Ambassadors Ulrich von Hassel from Rome, Herbert von Dirksen from Tokio, and Franz von Papen from Vienna.

Goering, who as well as economics chief is Prime Minister of Prus sia and Air Minister, was raised to the rank of Field Marshal General, and with von Blomberg's elimination he is the only such officer in active service. Goering had been considered a likely choice as Von Blomberg's successor, and his new title puts him in line for the post if Hitler decides to relinquish direct, personal control. Von Neurath to Be Overshadowed. While the Conservative Von Neurath will preside over the new Foreign Affairs Council, it is likely he will be overshadowed by old-time Nazis like Goering, Von Ribben trop, Paul Joseph Goebbels, Ru dolf Hess, and Dr. Hans Heinrich Lammers.

The new Chief of Staff and the new Chief of the High Command, Von Brauchitsch and Keitel, with Admiral Erich Raeder, Chief of Staff of the navy, are soldiers with out political aspirations, and they probably will be chiefly technical advisers on military matters in this council. Von Fritsch's removal eliminates the most outspoken military oppo nent of certain tendencies of Na tional Socialism, and it is significant that Gen. Ludwig Beck, -as Chief of the General Staff, and Gen. Wilhelm Adams, head of the Mili tary Defense Academy, were not placed on the council. The first Interpretation was that these two men must now make up their mind as to where they stand.

Hitherto they have been known as Von Fritsch men. The new decrees essentially mark a unification and Nazi domination of all forces of the country necessary to 'further Fuehrer Hitler's determination to regain Germany's place in the sun, and without exception the Nazi-inspired German press gave its indorsement. Unification Says the Press. Newspapers termed the sweeping measures "a super concentration of all power of the nation in the hands of the Fuehrer a unification of its military, political and eco nomic strength." In the most spectacular displays since the Nazi rise to power in 1933, front and most of the pages of the newspapers were devoted solidly to the changes and a discussion of their significance. Ridiculing talk that the shakeup was a child of "disharmony in Ger man State leadership," the Morgen-post said: "It is a fundamental law of the National Socialism and suits our new tempo to undertake concen tration of power from time to time." Volkischer Beobachter, Hitler's own paper, saw in the army personnel changes what Von Fritsch fought against and paid for with loss of his post" a fusion process of army and party, taking more distinct form reanimation of the German party with the spirit of the party.

"Security of Leadership Given." Noting foreign policy administra tion changes, the Lokal Anzeiger said that "we have not the ad vantage of being isolated, or hav ing a permanent geographic border. "We first of all are dependent on unity of our nation and the secur ity of our leadership, both of which are now provided to a degree that we can look upon all coming events with quiet and confidence." Goering's mouthpiece, the Na tional Zeitung, said that the changes were of "necessity, most pressing for a long time." The Boersen Zeitung set forth that the consolidation of powers "increased the Reich's weight in the game of world powers." Text of Hitler Decree. Hitler's decree said: "Henceforth, personally, will exercise direct command over the entire armed establishment. "The former office of State Secretary in the War Ministry, with its function as "High Command of the Armed Forces' and as my Military Staff, stands directly under my command. "As Chief of the High Command of the armed forces stands the former State Secretary in the War Ministry's "He takes the rank of Cabinet Minister.

The High Command of the armed forces simultaneously takes over the functions of tbe War Ministry. "The Chief of the High Command of the armed forces exercises, as my deputy, the functions previously belonging to the Reichs War Minister." To Von Blomberg, in seclusion on the Italian Isle of Capri on a honeymoon from which he is not expected to return, Hitler sent the following letter: "Since the re-establisnment of full German sovereignty in 1936 from a military as well as a territorial point of view, you have repeatedly asked to be relieved from your duty which made the most severe demands on your health. "I now recognize your oft-repeated requests to resign after the fifth year of the reconstruction of our nation and its military power. I hope you will find the recreation in your retirement to which you are entitled more than anyone else. "It was on Jan.

30, 1933, when you, my Field Marshal, as First Officer of the new Reich, gave your oath of loyalty to the Nazi State leadership. During five years you have lived up to this oath unwaveringly. "During this period the most unique military re-organization known in German history has been carried out. With this re-organization your name will go down in history for all time. "I express to you in this hour, in my name as well as in the name of the German nation, my deepest gratefulness." High Officers Dismissed.

Of the 13 high ranking officers dismissed, seven were in the army and six in the air force. The dismissals will be effective Feb. 28. Officers affected included Ritter von Teeb, Artillery General and Commander of Group Two; Paul von Kleist, Cavalry General and Commanding General of the Eighth Army Corps, and Baron Friedricb Kress von Kressenstein, Cavalry General and Commanding General of' the Twelfth Army Corps. There is considerable circumstantial evidence to indicate Hitler may proclaim before the Reichstag that Germany is taking Danzig under her sovereignty.

(Under the Treaty of Versailles, the town of Danzig with the surrounding territory was established as a free city under the protection of the League of Nations. Danzig also became a unit of the Polish Customs Administration.) Discussions with Foreign Minis ter Joseph Beck of Poland were understood to have been very concrete on this point. It also was known a conference recently was arranged outside Danzig with Prof. Charles J. Burckhardt de Reynold, High Commissioner of the free city, and Albert Forster, Nazi district leader in Danzig, to talk over Danzig's future.

There also were indications Hit ler would announce formally that Germany regarded herself as protector of German minorities every where. Such a pronouncement au tomatically would lead to a more active German policy involving the rights of the Sudeten Germans in Czechoslovakia. Mussolini Congratulates Hitler; to 4 Reinforce Friendship. ROME, Feb. 5.

Premier Musso lini told Reichsfuehrer Hitler today his (Hitler's) control of Germany's war machine was "destined to reinforce the friendship between our two armed forces and the relations between our regimes." Mussolini sent Hitler a telegram of congratulation, expressing "my satisfaction that the Italian people are for your excellency's assumption of. effeo HULL TELLS TOKIO U. S. WILL KEEP UP IN WARSHIP RACE Continued From Page One. constructing, or was intending to construct, the American Government for its part would be ready to discuss with the Japanese.

Government the question of the tonnages and gun calibers to be adhered to in future if Japan were now prepared to agree to some Such consultation, the note said, should be completed by May 1. The time limit of Feb. 20 was set to Japan's reply so that, according to a State Department statement, this Government will have time to prepare its own naval estimates and present them to the other Powers of the London Naval Treaty of 1936 Britain and France May 3, as the treaty requires. Information is also demanded with regard to cruisers of not more than 10,000 tons. Japan Not Signer of Treaty.

The note commented: "The Japanese Government has unfortunately not seen its way to subscribing to the London Naval Treaty nor has it hitherto felt able to give any assurances that treaty limits would in practice be adhered to by it." It then added: "There have been for some time persistent and cumulative reports, which, in the absence of explicit assurances from the Japanese Government that they are ill-founded, must be deemed to be authentic, that Japan has undertaken or intends to undertake construction of capital ships and cruisers not in conformity with the above-mentioned limits." The note has the effect of refusing to accept as true, or refusing to receive as sufficiently formal and authoritative, the persistent denials by Japanese Foreign Office and military spokesmen that Japan is not building and does not intend to build battleships of over 35,000 tons. It also is notice to Japan that the United States intends to take advantage of the so-called "escalator clause" in the London Naval Treaty. xnis is Arucie za, wnich states that if any Power not a party to the treaty builds or buys a ship larger than the prescribed limits, the parties to the treaty may do so likewise, after they shall have consulted among themselves with a view to reducing to a minimum the extent of the departures which may be made." ARM FOUND TO FIT TORSO IN ENGLISH MURDER MYSTERY Hand Apparently Sawed Off; New uucoTerea i ear uiver Severn Onlv Cither m.n, By the Associated Press. GLOUCESTER, England, Feb. 5.

-Dredgers recovered a arm from the River Snam adding new evidence in a mysteri ous muraer case. The hand. aDoarentlv nva4 r.r was not found. The arm fitted the brick-weiehted "tor an nt which was found by fishermen in me river unursday with head and limbs sawed off. A new Shoe found reay tViA ft-wrm, was the only other clew.

Egyptian Election Fight; 10 Killed. AIRO, Feb. 5. Ten persons were killed and 48 wounded today in a fight between rival factions during the election of a village chieftain at Nazlet Khalaf. tinner Egypt..