DRAMATIC SITUATION IN GERMANY AFTER ELECTION.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 373, 15 March 1932, Page 1

DRAMATIC SITUATION IN GERMANY AFTER ELECTION.

Hitler will Intensify his Attack in Second Fight with Hindenburg. cUnited Press Association.—By Electric 'Telegraph Copyright.) (Received March 15, 11 a.m.) BERLIN, March 14. Von Hindenburg, who failed to secure an absolute majority, has formally agreed to stand at the second ballot, in which his only opponent will be Herr Hitler. Speaking at Munich Herr Hitler said: There must be no half measures now the first battle is over and I summon you to intensify your attack on the Catholic and Communist fronts. lam resuming the Herr Hitler. fight herewith.”

Marshal von Hindenburg failed to secure an absolute majority in the German presidential election by 168,453 votes in a poll totalling 37,660,377 votes. The second poll between him and Herr Adolf Hitler, the next candidate, will be held on April 10, when it is confidently expected that von Hindenburg’s success is certain. With the exception of the returns from the Republic of Mecklenburg, which cannot affect the result, the final official figures are as follows: Votes. Hindenburg 18,418,983 Hitler 11,144,541 Thalmann 4,924,956 Duesterberg 2.497,860 Winter 109,292 The Rhineland, which is predominantly Roman Catholic, gave von Hindenburg a large majority. He also obtained an absolute majority in Berlin, where Hitler w T as a bad third to Thalmann. It is significant that in Southern Germany, where the Nazi movement originated, Hitler polled fewer votes than von Hindenburg. He was also victorious in Westphalia, where the industrialist districts had hitherto been considered as doubtful. Apparently at the last moment it decided not to trust Hitler’s vague promises. HINDENBURG’S VICTORY. WASHINGTON, March 13. The outcome of the German election is received with gratification among officials and congressional leaders. Although von Hindenburg failed to gain a clear majority, he came so near to victory over Hitler that the result of the second ballot is believed to be assured. President Hoover, Mr H. L. Stimson and other high officials refrained from commenting. However, it is known that the Administration is anxious that the Hindenburg regime should continue. They would have viewed a Hitler victory as a distinct menace to the European situation. The general opinion is expressed that Hindenburg’s large vote can be construed. as an indication that the people retain their faith in conservative political leadership.