Manawatu Evening Standard. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 1930 ELECTIONS IN GERMANY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume L, Issue 252, 19 September 1930, Page 6

Manawatu Evening Standard. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 1930 ELECTIONS IN GERMANY.

An adverse motion by the Socialists, who opposed the taxation measures ox the Chancellor, Dr. Bruening, led to the dissolution of the iXeichstag and to the election held last week-end. The Government proposals were designed to meet Germany’s obligations under the Toung Plan and to balance the Budget. The passing of the motion resulted in an impasse and the President forced the issue by dissolving the Reichstag. The election has been described as the stormiest on record, and the early predictions that there would be ‘‘little change in the chief parties” were rudely shattered by the extraordinary and alarming success of the party led by Adolph Hitler, and variously known as the National Socialists, Fascists, or Hitlerites. Its full title is the National Socialist German Workmen’s Party. In a lesser degree the Communists also achieved unanticipated success. The election issue was whether the constitutional—moderate —parties were strong enough to- form a workable Government and avoid either a Fascist or Socialist Dictatorship. The result was a severe reverse for the moderates. The fact that there were 8000 candidates representing 24 parties would tend to create confusion in the minds of the electors, so that an unexpected result was a possibility, though it does not appear to have been contemplated. From a party of 12 strong in the last Reichstag the Hitlerites now command 10 1 seats, and the German Press finds a reason for their success in the discontent of the masses, due to the economic depression and severe unemployment, in Dr. Bruening’s unpopular taxation proposals, and to the irresponsible promises of the party leaders which the people accepted blindly. Unless a coalition of the moderate elements in the new Reichstag is effected, Germany must speedily face a crisis. The Hitlerites expressed their determination, if returned to power, to alter Germany’s foreign policy of friendship to France, to advocate" a strong army which is subject to limitations’ under the Peace Treaty, and to, repudiate the pay • ments to be made under the Young Plan. The reason for European Governments beinguneasy over the result of the election is manifest. London Press opinion sees in the Nationalists’ success the sinister possibility that Hitler may another march on Berlin, similar 5

to that organised in Munich in 1923. With the aid of Marshal Ludenorff Hitler organised his famous ‘‘putsch,” which nearly succeeded in overwhelming the Government of Bavaria. The revolt was speedily suppressed and Hitler was sentenced to imprisonment from which he . found a speedy release to resume control of and reorganise his party, which is in direct opposition to the constitutional elements. Should Hitler organise a march on Berlin, such a step, according to London advices, would almost certainly lead to civil war. But the general belief is that while Marshal Hindenburg is President the Army will stand against the Fascists. The Times, after stressing the fact that Hitler’s followers stand for a national ideal, points to the anxiety aroused in European countries, especially France. The fate of Parliamentary Government, it adds, lies largely in the hands of the Fascists. It is the policy of the National Socialists to replace the Republic with Fascism or a Dictatorship, so that the Chancellor, Dr. Bruening, is faced with a most difficult task iu welding the moderate opposition into a force of sufficient strength to counteract the Hitlerites whose leader, because he is an Austrian, and therefore a foreigner, canot sit in the Reichstag.