The Evening Star TUESDAY, MARCH 7, 1933. GERMANY AWAKES.

Evening Star, Issue 21354, 7 March 1933, Page 6

The Evening Star TUESDAY, MARCH 7, 1933. GERMANY AWAKES.

“ Germany Awake!” was the battlecry of the Nazis in the general election that has just been concluded. The people responded by proceeding to the polls in ■■■ largely increased numbers. Under the electoral system of the country every sixty thousand votes cast for a particular party entitles that party to one member. After the elections last November the Reichstag contained 583 deputies, while to-day, according to the returns furnished, the total is .64<. Victory for Hitler seemed to be certain, for under the new decree, with drastic restrictions on the freedom of the Press and liberty of speech and terrorism generally, the opposition parties were greatly handicapped. One satisfactory feature is that, notwithstanding much greater voting, the Communists suffered considerable losses, their representatives being nineteen less than the number in the last House. From the point of view of the outside world other features are not so pleasing. The Communist objective everywhere' is to gain control by force, which is against all the principles of modern democratic thought. The appeal to the Gorman people by the Nazis had force as its underlying motive, and, having succeeded in gaining so substantial a vote (288 seats), it is evident that Hitler and bis colleagues intend to take action in accordance with their ideas. The country is already under a virtual dictatorship, and it is evident that parliamentary government as British people know it is af an end in the meantime. The Nazis are in power, and it has been made abundantly clear on various occasions that they will not relinquish it even if all the other parties combine in an endeavour to make them yield. A period of intense nationalism, so sedulously fostered by the Nazis, seems inevitable. There will be severe repression of all dissenting activities in the Fatherland, and there are fears that the attitude to the Jews, who number so many in Germany, may result in deplorable developments reminiscent of medieval days. It is possible thfit the fiery and unreasoning spirit of the Hitlerites will bo sobered by the responsibilities of office, but statements by their leaders in the past no doubt account for the report that many of the dews who aro able to do «o are leaving Germany. There is a suggestion of a more tolerant outlook in a remark attributed to Herr Goering (Hitler’s first lieutenant) : “ If the Jews behave loyally and mind their own business they have nothing to fear, but we won’t trust them in the management of the Reich,” From the point of view of the outside world the dangers of this violent manifestation of Pan-Germanism are obvious. The methods of the Nazis arc on all fours with the aggressive, Prussian ism of pre-war days. That Germany must have her place in the snn was the cry then, and it is being echoed now in the Nazi camps throughout the country. It comes at an unfortunate time, when the League of Nations is beset with difficulties and the Disarmament

Conference is in such serious straits that the British Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary intend to proceed to Geneva to try to save the conference from complete failure. Peace in Europe could be practically assured with Franco-German co-operation. In the days of Herr Stresemann and M. Briand it seemed ns if the way was being opened up for friendship between these traditional enemies, but the Nazi megalomania has intensified French suspicions, which are reflected in various diplomatic developments on the Continent. It can be assumed that the Nazis, if, as seems likely, they continue to hold power, will ultimately concern themselves with affairs in the outside world that at present are withheld from them, but in the meantime they will probably concentrate in consolidating their power at home. It is suggested that the first development will be the calling of the Reichstag at Potsdam for a short session, after which there will be a prolonged recess, during which, among other things, plans will bo laid for abolishing the Republic. It is pointed out that a two-thirds majority of the people is necessary to accomplish that object, but if the Nazi spirit continues to grow, or is even maintained at its present level, it is easy to imagine that the Government might dispense with that formality. There is natural curiosity to know' whether the Hohcnzollerns will be called back. Herr Von Papen .has definitely signified his approval of such a course, but Herr Hitler has clothed his words in such a cloak of obscurity that it is impossible to know what course he will take on the question of the restoration of the monarchy. Perhaps he does not yet know himself. Future events will determine his action.