GERMAN ELECTIONS

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXXII, Issue 58, 6 May 1924, Page 5

GERMAN ELECTIONS

CARDS PLAYED WELL.

GOVERNMENT CONFIDENCE.

(The Times.) (Received 10.30 a.m.) London, May 5

The Times' Berlin correspondent 'says: The polling passed off .without serious ine'dent, llie gravity 'of the issue appeared to be amply recognised by the great majority of the electors, and there was a very heavy poll. The experts' report played a big part.in the later stages of the Government campaign; in fact, it became the main issue from the moment the Government officially advocated its acceptance. Since then, the Government speakers, especially Herr Strqssemann used hardly any other argument to ensure their return. The cards are -considered to have been so well played that the Government circles display some confidence with regard to the probable result.

NATIONALISTS SHAKEN.

THE LOSS OF HELFFERICH.

(The Times.) (Received 10.55 a.m.) London, May 5

The Nationalists have been shaken somewhat in their faith that they could secure a big majority for a policy of resistance. The loss of Herr Helfferich at a critical point in the campaign meant a great deal to them. Since then, they have floundered hopelessly, owing to lack of competent leadership, their few remaining prominent men failing to offer any alternative to the Government's new policy.

THE NEW REICHSTAG.

Press Association—Copyright. Australian and N.Z. C-nbl» Berlin, May 5.

Eighty-five per cent, of the electorates pelled and in some districts huge crowds paraded the streets. Thousands assembled at points where the returns were thrown on the screen.

A Cologne telegram says the'elect io i was devoid of excitement, and voring followed religious rather than poli Veal lines. The only noticeable activity was displayed by the Social Democt.'ils ar.d the People's Freedom Pa-ry-the latters' clogan being "Down with the Jews." Tlie Socialists lost 50. to 60 seiK cvhiefly to Communists, but rctu in The strongest party with about W) deputies, compared with 172 at the former election. The German Nat-

ionalists are the second largest party with some ninety seats,, a gain of between 20 to 23. The Communists have increased, from lwtwcen 30 to 35 seats to between 45 and 50. The relative position of tlie other parties is still uncertain as numerous results have still to come in. Tlie extreme Nationalists will probatly secure about twenty seats, compared with three in the last Reichstag.

REVIEW OF IVEW KEICHSTAC

(Received 1.15 p.m.) Berlin, May 5

The results of the elections have already made it clear that the Extreme Nationalists have in no wise done as well as was expected. They must be content to take a back seat in the new Reichstag. Even in an Extreme Nationalist stronghold like Munich, a large, number of votes went to German Nationalists. It is significant that the Extreme Nation alists have not gained a single seat in the occupied territory On the other hand, the German Nationals, of whom the late Helffer'ch was lea ier, and who with the Monarchist reactionaries were oppci<-nts of the Experts' plans, have done, ex* -ina.y well, and will be the s:.- nd strongest party in the Reichstag with about 9'J seats, compared with' 67 previously. The Comnvv-JisU nu've done better than was ex r >e.?f>t!, having nearly sixty seats, i.oavpared with fiftepu previously. Th ry sco." ed heavily in parts of Berlin ani the big industrial towns in Saxon} and Thuringia. Seemintrly, practically every former Indene'.id3ni: Socialist has gone over to the Communist organisation. The People's Party, led by Herr Stresseman, has done badly, and is likely, tp \jhs»e_, seats "to the Nationalists. The Catholic'Centre Party and the Dem>crats will have about sixty and forty jseatp respectively, as before. No 'important changes are expected in the other groups. The position in the li'jvv Reichstag is interesting but ! complicated. Certainly, the majority will favour the acceptance of the Experts' reports, but a two-thirds-majorily is necessary for the change ili the Constitution involved. The acceptance of the Experts' reports is impossible without the support of the Nationalists. If they remain irreconcilable opponents of the reports, which is doubtful, there will be no chance of the Reichstag adopting the reports, and evil days will again fall upon Germany.