REICHSTAG ELECTIONS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18703, 8 May 1924, Page 9

REICHSTAG ELECTIONS.

SITUATION CONFUSED.

NATIONALS GROW DEFIANT.

AN ACCESS OF STRENGTH. MAY FORM GOVERNMENT. WARNING TO THE ALLIES. By Telegraph Association— Copyright. (Received 5.5 p.m.) A. and N.Z.-Reuter. LONDON. May 6. A message from Berlin states that further results of the elections for the Reichstag make the situation confusing. It is now in no wise certain that the Socialists will be the largest party, the German Nationals already numbering 99. The latter will probably fce joined by nine or ten ex-members of the German Nationals Party. If so, the Nationals will be the largest party, and should the present Government resign the President, Herr Ebert, is bound to ask the German Nationals to form a Government. The Berlin correspondent of the Daily Chronicle states that the new Reichstag will have a majority of at least 100 in favour of the report of the committee of experts on reparation, of which General 0. G. Dawes, (U.S.A.), was chairman. The leaders also believe that they can command the two-thirds majority necessary for the passing of j the nccessary change in the Constitution involved in the acceptance of the experts plan. The Berlin correspondent of the Times says that the Berlin press as a whole derives cold comfort from the result of the elections. Some Nationalist papers, however, are inclined to read into the result a warning to the Allies, especially to France, that Germany is backed by a strong Nationalist representation, and is in no mood to be trifled with. The Borsen Zeitung and the Deutsche Allegemeine Zeitung both think the elections have facilitated the formation of an energetic bourgeois Government, and that Germany will in future be represented with greater dignity in her dealings with foreigners. This "is something that France must note, as it means that Germany will no longer tolerate further attempts to experiment with her internal policy." Twenty-three women were elected, the majority of whom belong to the Left. Advices from Paris state that the French Foreign Office considers that Germany is now nearer to a monarchy than at any time since the signing of the Treaty of Versailles. It is of the opinion that the Ruhr and Rhineland voting disproves the contention that the occupational policy is driving Germany to a war of revenge. Another Paris message states that French official circles are pessimistic regarding results of the elections. They believe that the defeat of the middle parties and the success of the two extreme parties will render the reparation settlement more difficult. y'

The precipitating of a general election in Germany now instead of in the summer, when one was bound to take place in the natural course of things, is due to the peculiar conditions on which ; the present Government holds power, said a writer in the Glasgow Herald recently?" It is composed of representatives from the three bourgeois parties only, he proceeded, and it has never commanded a majority in the Reichstag. Its continuance in office for four months and the really valuable work it has been able to accomplish in the way of financial reform have been possible solely , because the position in Germany in November last was so critical that the Socialists, who are strong enough in the Chamber to be able to overturn at any moment any Ministry they dislike, agreed to give them dictatorial powers for three months during which Parliament would not meet.

The period of freedom expired toward the end of February, and the political crisis which has since arisen and has ended in the decision of the Government to procure a dissolution of the Reichstag at once, has been caused by the attempt of the Socialists to call in question some of the acts accomplished by the Ministers by virtue of their emergency powers. Feeling that public opinion is behind them in the policy they have pursued, Herr Mars and his colleagues have refused to submit to the criticism of a Reichstag which, they hold, no longer represents the people of Germany, and they have resolved, in spite of the risks involved, to face now the excitements and I unknown contingencies of an election.

PROGRESS OF EXTREMISTS,, FACTOR OF MONARCHY. Sun. BERLIN, May 6. The elections ' have resulted in the marked progress of the Extremists, with the collapse of the Centre Party and the Social Democrats. The surprising Communist gains were due to reaction against Hittlerism. The Right demands the restoration of the monarchy and the rejection of the reparation experts' reports. The extreme Right desires to tear up the Versailles TreatyIt is considered that the result must ease the international situation, but will increase Communism and necessitate German concentration on international affairs. It is expected that the disunited Central parties will reunite. But, even if they succeed, with the help of the Social Democrats and German People's Party, in forming a new Cabinet, its life is certain to be short.