HINDENBURG’S APPEAL

Greymouth Evening Star, 11 March 1932, Page 7

HINDENBURG’S APPEAL

GERMAN PRESIDENCY “TRUSTEE OF THE PEOPLE” [BY CABLE—PBEBS AS BN. —COPYBIQHT.] (Rec. March 11, 1.45 p.m.) BERLIN,,; March 10. “I stand as the trustee of the whole German people, and will be bound only by God, my conscience, and the Fatherland,” said Marshal Hindenburg in a fifteen-minutes’ broadcast speech, duing which he banged his study table, with his voice vibrating with anger, as he repelled personal, attacks, for which alone he broke seven years’ silence. He declared: “My life’s work will tell, more than Words, my aims and destires.”

He explained that he only offered himself for re-election to fulfil a patriotic duty. If he declined, there would be the danger of a party 'split, resulting in the election of an extremist partican who would cause disaster to the Fatherland. f

Marshal Hindenburg affirmed his determination to stand at the second ballot, if not elected at the first. He regretted that some former electors, even his old comrades, misunderstood him. He declared that he signed the Young Plan because he was convinced that it was an essential step to national freedom, and which had aleady resulted in the freedom of the Rhineland. He only signed the emergency decrease because the Reichstag had failed in its task. He urged the nation to recapture the spirit of 1914, and to reuriite for the sake of the Fatherland. HITLER’S AGGRESSIVE POLICY. [BY CABLE —PRESS ASSN. —COPYRIGHT.] BERLIN, March 10. In addressing 70,000 people, by means of transmitters, at tjje Exhibition Hall, Herr Hitler deplored the loss of the pre-war system of Govern ment, which made Germany, the world’s greatest nation. After the war. the system destroyed everything. He honoured President Hindenburg as a Field-Marshal, but was compelled to say, “Worthy old man that you are, get out of my way!” Wild scenes of enthusiasm followed the speech, the vast audience singing patriotic war songs of 1914.