HINDENBURG AGAIN

Grey River Argus, 15 March 1932, Page 5

HINDENBURG AGAIN

TO BE PRESIDENT Absolute Majority BARELY MISSED IN FIRST BALLOT. (Am. & N.Z. Cable Assn;. BERLIN. March 13. The election for the Presidency of the German Republic was held to-day. Berlin streets were covered in snow, enabling ’enthusiasts to cons' met snow effigvs of their Presidential choices, every square in Berlin possessing a snow man of either Hindenburg or Hitler, jealously guarded by support- \ ast queues awaihed the opening of I the booths at nine in the morning, they being mostly situated in taverns. | where voters were able to drink the health of their champions. The police were active in controlling the crowds all day, who were generally peaceful. Three hundred arrests were made for minor offences. Stringent precautions to preserveorder were taken throughout the country. There were frequent patrols of foot and mounted police armed with carbines, bayonets and truncheons in all the large cities, nevertheless, there wore numerous clashes, notably in Prussia and Rhineland. The sixty-four thousand booths closed af six o’clock. It is •estimated that 85 per cent, of the electors voted. An outstanding feature of the polling was the women’s unprecedented rush. 90 per cent, voting, apparently for Hindenburg. NAZI CAAIP AIGNERS. There were very animated serenes at the Nazis’ headquarters. Despite a police prohibition motor cars and cycles careered through the streets, showering millions of propaganda leaflets, often claiming astounding Nazi success. The Nazis also used aeroplanes, one of which crashed, the occupants being injured. A Hitlerite daubed. in five-foot letters on a ccmietery wall, “Vote for Hitler. The Third Reich is near.” An opponent scrawled beneath: “It is behind this wall.” NAZIS AND PROLETARIANS. Communist activities were chiefly in the working class districts of Berlin were many r ( ed flags, bearing Soviet emblems, were displayed. At Remsheid. the Nazis clashed with the Communists, three of the latter being killed. The poliqe rushed thither. Street brawling developed in Beilin during the afternoon where there was serious fighting, Nazis and Socialist-. exchanging shots. The same parties eninr* into conflict in various towns. Several were wounded, and scores of arrests were made.

HINDENBURG’S UPHOLDERS. Ther ■ were .- ‘markable scenes i n the Rhineland. Thousands of Roman Cutin ol.’cs at eleven o’clock last night, went “n a pilgrimage to an ancient chapel on the outskirts of Cologne, and knell in the cold for three hours, praying for Marshal Vo n Hindenburg's success. Twenty thousand thence went in procession tu the Cathedral where they attended a special Afass at three in the morning, packing the building to sufto cation. Eleven thousand received Communion at fifteen altars. This circumstance is unparalleled in cathedrals for centuries. The churches were crowded all day long, the people fervently praying . j - Lind nburg’s return. EARLY RETURNS. BERLIN, March 13. Eleven million four hundred and forty thousand votes were counted by tc n o’clock, Hindenburg receiving 5,525.000, Hitler 3.493,000, Thalmann 1.5-15000 'Dueiterborg 836,000 and W’n ter 32.000.

The first progress resu'f flatte rd Hitler, who wag given 321 votes against Hindenburg’s twelve, by the 345 -electors, of a tiny village in Franconia. which is a Hitlerite stronghold, while the occupants of the Bavarian village of Tranmfzell, where Hindenburg spends his yearly holiday also favoured his opponent by 228 to 157. Subsequent returns show that Hitt denburg is polling strongly in the towns, the Socialists following en masse their leaders’ orders to vote for him. Hitler was more succesful in some country districts. The ex-Crown Prince voted at Potsdam reportedly for Hitler whom ex-Princc August, a Naziite, also supported. Later figures showed the voting:— Hindenburg . . . . 14,358,557 Hitler 8.293,003 Thalmann . . . . 3,781.580 Duesterbjerg .. . . 1 717,199 Winter ’837,795

Alarshal Von Hindenburg thus far has an absolute majority. It is estimated that he will finally have an absolute majority.

FURTHER RETURNS. BERLIN, March 14. Except Mecklenburg, which cannot affect the result, the following are the final official figures:— Alarshal Von Hindenburg 18.418,983 Herr Hitler (Nazi) .. .. 11,144.541 Herr Thaelmann (Communist 4,924,956 Herr Duesterborg . . .. 2’.497.860 Herr Winter 109.292 A second ballot will be necessary, Marshal Von Hindenburg narrowlv missing an absolute majority. LATER. A - Marshal Von Hindenburg dropped back, he Is expected narrowly to miss election on the first ballot. The latest figures are:— Marshal Von Hindenburg 18,503 700 Jb n Hithr 11,324,200 Herr Thaelmann . . 4.871,900 H-rr Duesterborg . . . . 2.577 000 Herr Winter 111,900 37 MULLION VOTERS. ' 1 HITLER’S HOPES FOILED. (Received March 14 at 7.15 p.m.) BERLIN. March 14. Eighty-five per cent, of the elector-

ate voted, there being 37,660,377 votes cast. Alarshal Von Hindenburg was only 168.453 votes short of a clear absolute majority so that his success on April 10th at the next ballot-is regarded as certain. The Rhineland, which is predominantly a Catholic region, gave Alarshal Von Hindenburg a large majority. He gained also an absolute majority in Berlin city, where Heri; Hitler had to be content to run third to Herr Thaelmann, the Communist.

It is significant that in Southern Germany, where the Nazi Movement originated Herr Hitler has polled fewer votes than Alarshal Von Hindenburg. The President has also been victorious in Westphalia, where the industrialist districts which hitherto had been doubtful, had apparently at the last moment decided not to trust to Herr Hitler’s vague promises. AMERICAN FEELING. SATISFIED HINDENBURG WILL AVIN OUT. WASHINGTON, Alarch 13. The outcome of the German Presidential election has been received with gratification among American officials anj Congress leaders. Although Alarshal Von Hindenburg has failed to gain a clear majority, he has come so near to it that a victory for him over He'rr Hitler in the run-dff is believed to be assured. President Hoover, Mr Stimson and other high officials have refrained from commenting. However it is known that the Administration are anxious that the Hindenburg regime shall continue. They likewise would have viewed a Hitler victory as a distinct menace to the European situation.

The general opinion expressed is that. Alarshal Von Hindenburg’s large vote can be construed as an indication that the people are retaining their faith in conservative political leadership.