THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS TUESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1932 A NEW GERMAN CHANCELLOR

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21358, 6 December 1932, Page 8

THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS TUESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1932 A NEW GERMAN CHANCELLOR

- As was expected, General von Schleicher has been entrusted with the formation of a Cabinet in Germany, and the announcement of its membership gives opportunity to judge the probable trend of policy, which is of interest far beyond the bounds of the Heidi. Ministerial changes are few. Herr von Papen, who was Chancellor, passes out of political ofiice, unlamented, it seems, by almost all but President Hindenburg, who has parted with him reluctantly. Hitidenburg's words indicate —in contrast with his severity when refusing to stand by von Papen's predecessor. Dr. Bruening—that he has bowed regretfully to necessity, but there has been little popular enthusiasm for the exChancellor. He initiated a determined campaign of economic reform yet encountered immediate opposition in the country, especially among the trade unions, by which his schemes to reduce labour costs in production were violently resisted. Even by industrial and financial magnates he was openly regarded with disfavour. Although Labour will not be prepared to welcome the new Chancellor any more cordially, for it has been an open secret that von Schleicher acted as a driving force in the last Cabinet, he should prove more acceptable to all other classes. "Soldierly virtues are vital to our race" wrote the Prince of Baden recently, and in von Schleicher's record as Minister of Defence and head of the Reichswehr is a basis for confidence that a bold assertion of foreign policy and a resolute handling of internal challenges to law and order will become, the rule. The situation calls for the utmost firmness in quelling militant revolt, already come to menacing proportions in the activity of Nazis as well as Communists. A succession cf strikes has hampered the Government, and both of these political parties, numerically the strongest at the polls, have organised them in defiance of its industrial plans. With von Schleicher in open command there will be an answering of challenge, if need be, with resolute repression.

In ihe new Chancellor, however, arc remarkable qualities of political leadership. He has been something of an enigma, because of a signal faculty of patience and a suavity that belies his capacity for strong and swift action. An end will assuredly be put to dissension among Ministers. His indomitable smile, famous throughout Germany, betokens a pleasant poise that many have found disarming. That he has begun a flank attack on unemployment by proposing means to improve trade, and in this sought the views of trade unions, is characteristic of him. His firm hand is always well gloved. In the Reichstag he may be trusted to meet his first test with better chances of success than had his predecessor. It is expected that he will ask for an adjournment in order to negotiate with the various parties. This is a new move. His predecessor was saved from an adverse vote at the outset by a presidential decree dissolving the House. As an essay in shock tactics it was successful, yet it had a weakness in its necessitating a further appeal to the country, which might result in the election of a Reichstag at least equally hostile. It did ; and the obvious uselessness of a repetition of summary dissolution rules out this method of government by decree. So von Schleicher proposes to return to parliamentary government, without offering to sacrifice his Cabinet. It is another flank movement, and may succeed. The departure of von Papen will satisfy some of the radicals, and if the terms of co-opera-tion be liberal enough the Chan- ( cellor may win through. He knows as well as the hostile parties on the Right that they cannot hope yet awhile to overwhelm the Socialists and Communists, who polled significant figures at the recent election, and these latter parties understand that he will not hesitate to use the military power at his back should tliey indulge in turbulent disorder. The Cabinet in personnel and policy is still one of "national concentration," and from appearances it will get on with the immediate task of straightening accounts and promoting industry. It indicates that certain alternative ways of resolving political difficulties have been wisely shunned. No attempt has been made to choose a Ministry from the various parliamentary groups, with or without the old Chancellor, nor has anything been done to placate the Nazis by giving Hitler a place, either at the head or anywhere else. These ways were full of grave risks. The first would have brought ihe Government to irreparable weakness; there might have been a lull in party strife, but at the cost of ineffective administration. The second would have been a surrender to rabid and unintelligent Fascism, with the probability of violent reaction. What has happened is a maintenance of the stand against the non-national Left, without incurring the danger of encouraging schemes to restore monarchy or driving the moderately Liberal elements into cohesion with the extreme parties on that side. A middle way, with an edging to the Right., has been chosen. From the standpoint of most other peoples in Europe, the best seems to have been done. Germany will still pursue the claim to equality of status with them and press her national case, but the possibility of a disturbing alliance with Russia has lessened and there is better assurance of domestic order. In the early weeks of winter, with industrial chaos to be avoided, the desirability of having a courageous hand at the helm is clear, and von Schleicher is gifted with a pilot's genius as well as a commander's power. If he comes through the first test of his political skill, things may go better with Germany.