- Headline
-
2 Berlin Deputies Ordered Arrested In Reichstag Fire
- Sub-Headline
- Hitler Starts Roundup of All Communists in Government Posts
- Publication Date
- Tuesday, February 28, 1933
- Historical Event
-
Reichstag Fire Plunges Germany into Virtual Martial Law
This database includes 486 articles about this event - Article Type
- Location
- Page Section and Number
- 2
- Author/Byline
- UP
- Article Text
- Berlin, Feb. 28 (U.P.)—The Hitler government today ordered the arrest of every Communist connected with the government for alleged complicity in a terrorist plot which began with the attempted destruction by fire of the Reichstag buildings.
A ban on the Communist and Soclal-Democrat press was decreed by Hermann Wilhelm Goering, minister without portfolio in the Hitler government.
Goering charged that the Reichstag fire was part of a plot for a Communist uprising which had as its goal destruction of all government of buildings and the "wholesale looting of Berlin."
Source Incendiary
Evidence uncovered today indicated that the Reichstag fire, which left the main hall of the legislative building a mass of charred ruins, but which spared the library of the historic edifice, was deliberately set by a Dutch Communist named Marinus Van Der Luebbens acting in concert with a number of other conspirators.
Police reported that after the fire was discovered, men were seen rushing through the building with lighted torches in their hands.
Van Der Luebbens said he had no confederates in his attempt to destroy the government buildings.
"We are ready to fight to the utmost any against the state's authority," Goering's official communique said today.
"It can be stated now that the first attack (of the Communists) has been parried. The entire Berlin police force is in readiness, and auxiliaries are being mobilized. Warrants for the arrest of two Communist Reichstag deputies have been issued for complicity in the Reichstag fire.
Press Muzzled
"The prohibition of the Social Democrat press includes periodicals, posters and handbills.
"The fact that Van Der Leubbens confessed his connection with the Soclal-Democrats establishes the united front of the Socialists and Comminists."
Goering's name was signed to the communique.
Simultaneously, police revealed that a raid on Liebknecht House, Communist headquarters, last Friday uncovered "Instructions" for the beginning of a widespread reign of Communist terrorism throughout Germany, with the hope of civil war to follow.
Goering's communique said that the plot disclosed in the Liebknecht House raid included plans for the destruction of all government buildings, museums, castles, and modern power throughout Germany.
A significant paragraph of the instructions was quated as follows:
"For attacks on the police, women and children, preferably belonging to the families of police officers, should be used to march in front of the attacking rioters."
The communique states that soon after Goering arrived at the burning Reichstag building to find its famous dome threatened by the glaring flames, he sat down and wrote his drastic orders.
Torches Found Hidden
The investigation, according to the minister, already had disclosed beyond a doubt that the fire was incendiary. Torches made out of tar compounds were in leather bags, hidden in Reichstag literature and distributed from the cellar to the top garrets.
The first alleged incendiary captured was Van Der Luebbens.The young man had a Dutch passport and papers identifying him as a member of the Dutch Communist party.
An immediate roundup of suspects in connection with the supposed plot was started and before morning more than 80 prisoners were held incommunicado in Berlin cells. Most of them are leaders of the Communist party. Some of those arrested were said to be deputies, but the police refused to reveal their identity.
One of the first acts of the police was to raid the premises of the newspaper Vorwaerts, confiscate the morning edition and put its editors under surveillance.
The parliament, it was believed today, would meet in the now vacant state operate house in Berlin, or in some hall outside the city pending restoration of the building, which will cost millions. - History Unfolded Contributor
- Michael P.
- Location of Research
- Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com)
Learn More about this Historical Event: Reichstag Fire Plunges Germany into Virtual Martial Law
- The Reichstag Fire (Holocaust Encyclopedia)
- Reichstag Fire Decree (Holocaust Encyclopedia)
- Arrests Without Warrant or Judicial Review (Holocaust Encyclopedia)
- The Enabling Act (Holocaust Encyclopedia)
- Law for the Imposition and Implementation of the Death Penalty (Holocaust Encyclopedia)
- Law Against the Founding of New Political Parties (Holocaust Encyclopedia)
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