Röhm-Putsch Aborted

26 August 1933 - At least 85 people have died in a crackdown on SA members throughout the Reich initiated three weeks ago. Unofficial estimates place the number in the hundreds.

The Fuhrer called it, "the worst treachery in world history," denouncing his party comrade and SA leader, Ernst Röhm, for a putsch planned to seize power from the government and enact a second revolution throughout Germany. He further stated:

In this hour I was responsible for the fate of the German people, and thereby I became the supreme judge of the German people. I gave the order to shoot the ringleaders in this treason, and I further gave the order to cauterise down to the raw flesh the ulcers of this poisoning of the wells in our domestic life.
Let the nation know that its existence—which depends on its internal order and security—cannot be threatened with impunity by anyone! And let it be known for all time to come that if anyone raises his hand to strike the State, then certain death is his lot.

Tensions had been rising between the SA leader and Hitler following Röhm's speech in April calling for the absorption of the Reichswehr into the SA. Many believed it to be Röhm's final demand before action following previous calls for such measures as insisting on the nationalization of large firms, profit sharing for employees, and cuts in interest rates.

Increased violence from the SA in past months had many thinking Hitler had lost control of his private militia. With Röhm's bolder and bolder comments, the threat of a coup seemed inevitable.

All quarters of Germany have given thanks to the Fuhrer for his prescient actions and can only hope he continues to watch over us in these dangerous times.

SOURCE: Deutsche Allgemeine Zeitung