London, Oct. 22.
The suggestion that Herr Hitler has decided personally to investigate the feeling of the German people, is made by the Diplomatic Correspondent of the "Observer" in commenting on the report that the Fuehrer has ordered all the district leaders to Berlin for a conference, "The district leaders," the correspondent points out, "are in the closest touch with the feelings of the people. Hence it looks as if Herr Hitler has decided to go over the heads of Herr Heinrich Himmler and his Gestapo (German Secret State Police) to find out things for himself."
"Apart from this move." he continues, "Herr Hitlers attention is centred on the diplomatic front, partly as a result of the mutual assistance pact between Turkey and France and Great Britain."
"Germany's concern over the conclusion of this treaty," the correspondent declares, "is revealed by the recall to Berlin of Dr. Hans Georg von Mackensen, Friedrich Werner Count von der Schulenburg, and Herr Franz von Papen, the German Ambassadors to Italy, Soviet Russia and Turkey respectively."
"Herr Hitlers difficulties on the diplomatic front," he goes on, "are sufficient to go far towards explaining the military lull in the West. ' The pact of Ankara promises to be a major factor in the war. It is a diplomatic victory in a war which has hitherto been dominated by diplomatic forces."
In conclusion, the correspondent of the "Observer" believes the pact has given Italy an opportunity to recapture the initiative in the Balkans, while her interests in the Mediterranean, secured by the treaty, favour a settlement between Italy and Great Britain and France.—Reuter.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.