THE GERMAN PRESIDENCY.

Evening Star, Issue 21036, 25 February 1932, Page 8

THE GERMAN PRESIDENCY.

Tempers grow worse in Europe under the strain of the times. While a free fight was being waged yesterday in tho French Chamber something like it was only averted in the German Reichstag by the exclusion of one of Herr Hitler’s followers and the suspension of tho debate. Herr Hitler, the Austrian-born leader of the “ National Socialists,” or “ Nazis,” or German Fascists—" handsome Adolf,” as .he is called by his admirers—has regularised his position in the last few weeks. He has become a naturalised citizen and is a candidate for the Presidency. His power has increased with the increasing troubles of the country. Local elections have shown that beyond a doubt. The General Elections of eighteen months ago gave his followers 107 votes in the Reichstag, making them the second most powerful group. He has claimed that if elections were held again now they would win 200 seats—more than a third of the . House—and the claim is not judged to be extreme. Hitlerism makes its appeal primarily to the white-collar workers in industry who feel themselves superior to tho proletariat, 1 though their wages are as low. Women office workers bulk largely in this nucleus. But it takes its recruits also from other middle classes, and with six millions unemployed in Germany, and the Chancellor and Hindenburg devising daily new “ cuts ” and new retrenchments, very windy eloquence suffices to attract them. It has an advantage in the fact that its own domestic programme is as vague as can be. The fewest are repelled by such a programme. “ Germany to-day was a land of poverty, misery, and oppression, but March t 13 [the day which was fixed provisionally for tho Presidential election, when Hitler may take the place of Hindenburg] would see Germany great, mighty, glorious, and free.” So demagogues have spoken from the beginning of time. As his party has increased Herr Hitler has grown more moderate in the methods which ho proclaims for his accession to power. Not so long ago he was talking of “ heads rolling in tho dust.” Secret documents have been discovered in Germany purporting to bo outlines of instructions to bo issued by a new revolutionary Government once the present authorities had been deposed. " Resistance will be systematically punished by death, although court martial may under special circumstances impose other penalties.” But now Hitler is quoted as declaring: “ You cannot think I am mad enough to turn illegal. I do not need that. . . . Violence would only retard us. Ido not understand the hate in the world today, and I am doing everything I can to crush dangerous war psychoses.” That change towards moderation has not been approved by all his lieutenants. The Herr Goebels who has just been excluded from the Reichstag for an attack on Hindenburg has been mentioned as one of those not gratified by it. The Chancellor, on the other hand, has found it encouraging. The Nazis, and the Government’s programmes have been drawn nearer together by events. The Nazis would not pay reparations; the Government cannot. Objections to other features of the peace treaties are the same with both. It has been suggested that an understanding might be reached between Dr Bruening and Herr Hitler, which would give the latter’s followers one or two seats in the Government and let them bear their part in responsibilities. The effect of that might be still further to sober them. There have been conferences between the two leaders, and although those seem to have come to nothing for the present a new example has been set. Dr Bruening would have been glad to postpone this election for the Presidency. It was suggested that that should be done by an amendment of the Constitution, extending Field-marshal Hindenburg’s term for another year, for which a two-thirds majority of the Reichstag would be necessary. 'Without the support of tho Nazis that majority could hardly be obtained, and apparently support has been refused. The desire of Hitler has been for a general election this year, which the Chancellor is not likely to accord. Tho greatest of all influences for political stability in Germany, since he was elected President for seven years from May 12, 1925, has been Hindenburg. But he is in his eighty-fifth year. When he has gone more than Germany will know his worth.