Fiery Leader of Fascists Comes Into Power as Head of Cabinet.
VON PAPEN CHIEF AID
Forming of Government to Succeed Von Schleicher Is Surprise.
By Frederick Kuh
United Press Staff Correspondent
BERLIN, Jan. 30.—Adolf Hitler, fiery leader of the German Fascists, came into political power in Germany today when he assumed the chancellorship in a new German cabinet.
Hitler, whose political rise as chief of the Nazis has been one of the amazing developments of post-war politics, abandoned the “all or nothing” policy he had held toward participating in the government. He accepted Franz von Papen as his vice-chancellor and reich’s commissioner for Prussia.
Hitler’s formation of a new government to succeed that of General Kurt von Schleicher took Berlin completely by surprise.
Hitler held a conference with his party chiefs this morning, and was reported to be holding out for appointment as reich’s commissioner for Prussia in addition to the chancellorship, which would have given him control of the regular army and the efficient Prussian police force of 90,000 men.
Take Oaths of Office
Members of the new cabinet took the oath of office in the presence of President Von Hindenburg soon after formation of the government was announced.
Hitler rose to dominating power in Germany before he became a German citizen, and. actually, while he was a man without a country.
Born an Austrian, he lost his Austrian citizenship. He did not become a German citizen until last year, when he ran for president against Von Hindenburg.
Hitler was granted citizenship through an appointment to a minor state office in Brunswick.
Served Term in Prison
Hitler was sentenced to jail after his famous attempt at a “beer cellar putsch” failed a decade ago. His political career appeared to be ruined at the time.
But he took advantage of discontent after his release to build up the Nazi organization, by fiery talks and a great display of semi-military strength, into the strongest party in the reichstag.
Hermann Goering, Nazi speaker of the reichstag, was commissioned to administer the Prussian ministry of the interior, and was made a member of the national cabinet without portfolio. His position gives him control of 150,000 Prussian police, though Papen, as reich’s commissioner, is technical head of the Prussian administration.
Cabinet Is Formed
Other members of the new national government are Dr. Wilhelm Frick, minister of interior; foreign minister; General Werner von Blomberg, defense; Schwerin von Krosigk, finance; Dr. Alfred Hugenberg, commerce and agriculture; Franz Seldte, labor; Eltz von Reubenach, posts and transportation.
Dr. Frick recently broke with Hitler and retired from his position as one of the chief aids of the Nazi leader. His appointment to the important post of minister of the interior, however, indicated that importance of his retirement from the Nazi administration was over-emphasized.
Von Papen Engineers Deal
Baron Von Neurath was foreign minister in the Schleicher cabinet.
Dr. Alfred Hugenberg is leader of an important group of Nationalists. Franz Seidte is one of the chiefs of the militaristic steel helmets organization composed largely of ex-service men.
Von Papen, commissioned by the president to engineer the formation of the government, was credited by politicians with obtaining as strong a lineup as could be expected with Nazi participation. The Nazi-Nationalist combination in the reichstag will insure the government’s life unless divergencies develop within the ministry.
The Indianapolis Times, Indianapolis, IN, January 30, 1933