THE GERMAN PRESIDENCY.

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXVI, Issue 3444, 17 March 1932, Page 4

THE GERMAN PRESIDENCY.

The result of the Presidential elections in Germany will be received with a general feeling of relief throughout Europe. The situation in Germany is delicate, and if a firebrand like Hitleri with a crowd of hysterical followers, were to gain control of the country's affairs it would give rise to a dangerous situation throughout Europe. The numerous disorders reported on the day of the election indicate that political feeling throughout Germany is running high, but the result shows that the majority of the people prefer constitutional rather than revolutionary principles. It is expected that Marshal Hindenburg will secure an absolute majority in the second ballot, and this result will be received with satisfaction throughout Europe, for it means a better chance of international co-ordination, and domestic peace in Germany. Marshal Hindenburg is 85 years of age, and is Germany's national hero. During the Great War he proved himself to be a genius, both in success and defeat. He has no liking for politics, but agreed to accept nomination as President seven years ago more in the interests of his country than through personal ambition. More than that, Marshal Hindenburg is a Monarchist at heart, and it was distasteful for him to accept the office of President of a Republic It is not expected that with the weight of his years that Marshal Hindenburg will take a prominent part in swaying the destinies of Germany, but his influence for sound Government will be felt. His majority means that Germany has been saved "from Communism and Hilterism, both of which mean the reverse of democracy and a dictatorshp by a small section of the people who would use the liberties of the people to carry out an impracticable policy. Germany must be given a chance to rehabilitate herself in world affairs, and this can only be done by the co-operation of the other Powers. That co-opera-tion will be more readily forthcoming with a man like Marshal Hindenburg as President than with Herr Hitler at the head of the country's affairs.