EXALTED IDEAL

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 21 April 1925, Page 5

EXALTED IDEAL

HINDENBURG’S POLICY.

FOR GERMAN PRESIDENCY

AN OLD-TTME PARADE

BY CAfILE—PRESS ASSOCIATION -COPYRIGHT . LONDON, April 19.

The Daily Express Hanover correspondent says Chat a demonstration in favour of Marshal Hindenburg’s oandidaiture was carried out in accordance with the traditions of Prussiian. militarism, Thousands of members of seminiiilitary Monarchist' organisations marched past with the old Monarchist banner heading each company and every man carrying a stick at the shoulder like a rifle.

Marshal Hindenburg, in full field marshal’s uniform, took the salute as the procession goose-stepped past, the bands playing “ Deutschland Über Alles.” Later crowds of men, . women and children swarmed around Hindenburg’s house and gave the field marshal an ovation most enthusiastically. Marshal Hindernburg received a deputation from the National Workers, and said: “I agree with your ideals. What I can do in this matter will be done. I am a man to carry, through my purpose, with the Lord's aid.” —<Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

BERLIN, April 20. Advices front Hanover state that Marshal von Hindenburg, in pursuance of his Presidential candidature, this evening received a number of foreign as well as German journalists, when he read out in a clear voice a vigorous statement, of which the theme was the need of peaceful labour and the restoration of that spirit of unity which characterised Germany during the war. This would lie unity not concerned with party politics, but the outcome of a wholesome feeling of nationalism. As President of the Reich he would only think of 'hi§.duty to strive for the best interests of the Fatherland on the basis of the constitution and Germany’s present position in the world. He.asked them not to expect from him the programme of a party man, who had entered into detailed political issues. A most important consideration was to restore German prestige in the world. Nothing was more capable of jeopardising the peaceful object of the restoration of the Fatherland and collaboration in the progress of the world than blatant falsehoods about a threatening military reaction having inspired his candidature. He emphasised that, he was only striving to ensure German sovereignty and freedom with a place in the sun of nations. “To attain this,” he said, “the grave charge of our war guilt must be dropped. You will surely believe that all this prattle about my unconstitutional plans and reactionary and other dangerous machinations is senseless.”

The address was frequently interrupted by shouts of “Bravo” and enthusiastic cheering, especially his reference to war guilt.

At an interview he said that if plected President' he would act constitutionally and protect the laws of the Reich. He was specially interested in the question of a security pact quaranteeing the frontiers of France and Belgium. ■He asserted that Germany’s eastern frontiers must he altered by negotiations. Enigmatically he replied to a question as to whethei* he favoured a republic or the restoration of the mon nrchy by saying that his personal wishes were of no avail.

Marshal von Hindenburg. replying to a questionable submitted by a correspondent, said that if chosen as President he would respect the military as well ns the other provisions of * the Versailles Treatv. His outlook was a peaceful one. He was convinced that it would be foolish for Germany to Indulge in warlike adventures, which after the war he always opposed because thev could only end disastrously. As a military expert he did not think Germany, even capable of defending hersolf against small neighbouring States. Poland and Czecho-Slovaki possessed bigge- standing armies, and were protected by military alliances.