THE GERMAN MUSSOLINI.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 194, 17 August 1932, Page 6

THE GERMAN MUSSOLINI.

Only the firmest action on the part of the President can prevent armed conflict in Germany. Hitler has openly demanded the same position as Signer Mussolini received after the Fascists' march on Rome, and it is rumoured that he is massing his storm troops for a march on Berlin. Having failed to secure an absolute majority at the general election, Hitler is faced with the prospect of having to join a coalition unless he can seize power unlawfully. The Communists are not altogether averse to such a coalition, believing that Hitler's failure to carry out his extreme programme, which they maintain would be the result of any agreement with the Centre, would cause numbers to desert their own ranks. Both Hitlerites and Communists make capital out of the grave amount of' unemployment. Hitler points to what has been done in Italy under a dictatorship; the Communists point to Russia and the industrial drive of the Five Years Plan. Hitler has gathered round him those who once possessed something and have now lost it; the Communists have rallied those who never possessed anything to lose. Both represent the discontented classes; both Avant to abolish the Parliamentary system. Fortunately, they cancel each other to some extent when it comes to a vote in the House, and the moderate parties of the Centre and the old Liberals hold i the balance. If in this struggle between dictatorship, Communism and Constitutional Government the good sense of the German people does not stand behind the forces of democracy, it will be an evil day for Europe.