- Headline
-
Virtual Martial Law In Germany Will Be Decreed
- Sub-Headline
- Decision Reached After Partial Destruction of Reichstag Building
- 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
- Newspaper
- Page Section and Number
- 1
- Author/Byline
- AP
- Article Text
- Berlin, Feb. 28.—(AP)—Virtual martial law under police regime was decided upon by the German cabinet today.
The cabinet, which had been in session since 11 a. m., adjourned at 2:30 p. m., until 5 p. m. It had heard a report from Wilhelm Goering, minister without portfolio, upon the fire which damaged the reichstag building yesterday and the result of a raid last week by police on Karl Liebknecht house, Communist headquarters on Buelowplatz.
A military state of emergency was refrained from in order to keep the reichswehr (standing army) out of political action, but the measures to be decreed will have the effect of placing Germany under a state of emergency with the sole object of meeting Communist danger.
Drastic Orders Issued
The Hitler government ordered prohibition of the entire leftist press and the arrest of the 100 Communist members of the last parliament today.
With reichstag and Prussian diet elections five days off, both orders were regarded as forerunners to the outlawing of the Communist party. They followed swiftly upon partial destruction of the massive half-century old reichstag building in a fire started by an alleged Dutch Communist last night. Many persons thought the fire was set by others so Communists could be blamed.
Among 130 persons arrested by noon were two leading members of the Pacifistic league for human rights and several radical writers.
Ernest Torgler, Communist floor leader of the reichstag, voluntarily presented himself to police.
Its Political Effect
The two leftist parties formed the bulk of the majority opposition against Hitler regime in the reichstag dissolved this month, holding 221 of the 554 seats. The Communists and Hitlerites formed the two largest parties in the Prussian diet, which was dissolved also.
Outlawing of only the Communists was expected to easily assure Chancellor Hitler's party of control in both the reichstag and diet to be elected Sunday.
It will take eight months to repair the reichstag building. The new reichstag will meet in the Prussian diet building. Investigation disclosed the relchstag building, which includes some offices of Chancellor Hitler and other officials, was fired in 15 different places. - History Unfolded Contributor
- Laetitia B.
- 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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