ELECTION IN GERMANY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21249, 1 August 1932, Page 9

ELECTION IN GERMANY

EVE OF THE POLL RECORD VOTE EXPECTED DEATHS IN CLASHES APPEALS TO ELECTORS PARTIES IN THE FIELD By Teleerapli—Press Association—Copyright (Received July 31, 5.5 p.m.) BERLIN. July 31 All signs, including tho weather, indicate a record poll at the German general election to-day. Clashes in many districts have resulted in eight people being killed. One man was killed in an aeroplane crash as ho w;ss distributing pamphlets. Numbers of people have been wounded, ami 257 arrests have been made in Berlin. The numerous disturbances were soon checked, as the city was patrolled by police in cars armed with machine-guns and every public building was. strongly guarded. Two members of the Reiehsbanner organisation were killed and others injured jr. a collision between political opponents al, Rosenberg. Ilerr Hitler, leader of tho Nazis, concluded his flight round Germany and addressed a torchlight meeting, guarded by picked "storm troops," in the capital. A manifesto issued by the Cabinet appeals to everyone to vote, " because the people need an unshackled Government to co-operate with a representative and willingly constitutional Reichslag." The ex-Chancellor, Dr. Brueriing, in his final election speech, declared that Herr von Papen's use of the dictatorship clause of the Constitution was a danger to the German people, who would not tolerate it long. There are 27 parties in the electoral feld, including freak organisations, votes fm- which will be wasted. The six vital parties are:—Socialists, Nazis, Communists, Central Party, Nationals and People's Party, The opinion is growing that tho elecfion will end in a stalemate. The latest estimates of the probable utate of parties in tho new Reichstag are us/follows, the figures in parentheses representing the parties' strengths at the dissolution:—Nazis, 220 (110); Nationalists, 45 (42); other Right parties, 25 (106); Socialists, 140 (136); Centre Party, 72 (69); State Party, 10 (16); Communists, 72 (78). The party strengths in the last Reichstag,, as the result of the poll in September, 1930, were:— Socialists 143 National Socialists (Nazis) .. 107 Communists . . . . »■ 77 Centre Party . . . . K 68 National People's Party * 41 German People's Party ~■ »• * .30 Agricultural Party .. *. 26 /'Middle Class Party . 23 German State Party .„• »- s 20 Bavarian People's Party •.. 19 Minor parties . . . . .» 23 'Total 577 ' COUNTEY'S FATE FEVER OF EXCITEMENT FEARS OF NAZIS' ACTION BERLIN. July 2<i .Germany is in a fever of excitement over what is described as the greatest fight for the fate of the country since the revolution. Reports of the mobilisation of Hitler's Brown Shirts in readiness for r seizure of power after the election are creating alarm. Couriers on motor-cycles are reported to be leaving the Munich headquarters and taking orders to company, battalion, regimental and divisional commanders ordering that every one be on the alert on Sunday night. Nazi "storm troops" from Pomerania and other places have arrived in the neighbourhood of Berlin, having said farewell to their families like soldiers mobilising. They are not aware why they have been summoned, but were ordered to bring three days' food and blankets. With a frenzy hitherto unequalled the election campaign is closing with amazing scenes. All eyes are on the Nazis, ■pilose headquarters in Munich are guarded by armed sentries and are the focus of ceaseless activity. The police patrol the streets night and day. Although Cologne and the Rhineland are outwardly calm, they are excited beneath the surface. Alarmist;/ declare that bloodshed is inevitable, but, the genera? opinion is that a revolution is not likely. There is a persistent rumour that if Herr Hitler is thwarted he will not hesitate to use his "storm troops" to attempt a coup d'etat to seize the reins of Government. The Jews are intensely afraid of such developments, but the Chancellor, Herr von Papen, has assured the.ro that he has Hitler's promise to do nothing rash. General Schleicher, Minister of Defence, says h'e will throw the whole force of the • P.eichswehr ruthlessly against disturbers of, peace. It is significant that the President, Marshal von Hindenburg, has issued a decree enforcing a 10 days' political truce after Sunday, thus barring all political demonttrations. Still, the general belief is that 1,0 party will gain an absolute majoiity. / Herr von Papen, broadcasting to tho American people, declared that the world (lid not realise that Germany had been m danger of civil war. Illegal Communist . activities were largely responsible for the recent disorders, which no Government could tolerate. Order had been restored and would not be disturbed. The Cabinet would not support a real source of discontent was the Treaty of Versailles.