SOCIALIST PARTIES MAKE BIG GAINS AT GERMAN ELECTIONS

Manawatu Times, Volume LIII, Issue 6616, 22 May 1928, Page 7

SOCIALIST PARTIES MAKE BIG GAINS AT GERMAN ELECTIONS

Nationalists Suffer Particularly in Cities

EX-KAISER’S SON TURNS DEMOCRAT

United Press Association—By Electric Tclegrapb—Copyright. Received Monday, 7.30 p.ci. BERLIN, May 20. An unofficial forecast of the con stitution of the Reichstag gives— Socialists . .■ 160 Nationalists 70 Centre 69 Communists 58 People’s Party 54 Democrats 25 Economic Party ...... 23 Fascists 16 Bavarian People’s Party 19 Other Parties 6 The Nationalists lost heavily in the big cities, the Socialists and Communists gaining about 15 per cent, compared ■with last elections at the expense of thu Nationalists. The Gorman People’s Party are also losing scats to the Socialists and Communists. Potsdam Nationalist.

It is estimated that twenty per cent, voted in Berlin. As there was heavy polling elsewhere returns cannnot bo estimated till to-morrow. Earliest indications arc that the Socialists and Communists have strengthened their hold in Berlin proper. Potsdam is firmly Nationalist.

A hundred arrests have been made. There was a sensation at. Potsdam, The ex-Kaiser’s fourth son r.n appearing on the platform to speak on behalf of the Labour Party assured the audience of his own democratic principles. He added that the dynasty to which ho belonged made a fatal piistako in holding aloof from the masses. Had his father not committed such a blunder he might still bo ruling. A Rising Generation.

It is interesting to note that two million now voters have sprung up since the 19114 elections with no knowledge of pre-war Germany and unable to contrast Republican with Monarchial conditions.

A message received in London through tiro “TimesV* Berlin correspondent states: “A continuous downpour during the polling hours damped all external manifestation of political excitement in connection with to-day's elections.

"Tho streets were drenched and cmply except for little knots of party supporters carrying limp placards. The voters mostly adjourned to tho beer shops. Bed Flag Prominent. “A. display of flags provided the only possible index of the trend of political feeling. There was a sprinkling of the old Monarchist colours in tho better class districts and the Bed flag was prominent in tho poorer but the Republican flag predominated nearly everywhere. "A visit to the Communist headquarters for tho purpose of inspecting tho election propaganda revealed that tho strength of the Parly lies in the organisation. Tho interior resembles a Government office in a more modern capital, ■ with labyrinthine corridors tiled and distempered, hurrying officials and numbered and ticketed doors' behind which discreet, prc-occupiccl individual;! conduct business.

"This powerful organisation is con trod in Berlin, but it embraces• the whole industrial area of western Germany.

"The Communists give startling evidence of the resources at their disposal. One can only speculate as to whero tho monetary support is drawn from. "Picked Red front fighters to-day attended most of the polling stations."