AT ITS HEIGHT.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18366, 27 April 1925, Page 11

AT ITS HEIGHT.

PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN.

MARX OR HINDENBUBG ?

(BY CABLE—MESS ASSOCIATION'—COFTSIGITT.) (acstbaliax a:;d cable association.;

BERLIN'. April 24

With tlio approach of the Presidential election on Sunday, the campaign is reaching its height. The Republican papers arc overflowing with telegrams from New York emphasising tho disastrous effects of Marshal von Hindenfcurg's candidature on the fiiiancia. relations between American banking circles and Germany. The Monarchist Press retorts with immense headlines across the page, underlined with red ink: "American finance is on the side of Hindenburg/'

Hindenburg's supporters are making a bold bid for the women's votes.

A prominent writer is arguing that Dr. Marx will c?t Germany into the League of Nations and involve Germany in the League's wars. Reie.isbloc writers and sneakers also c.eeniio that Dr. Marx also represents only party filing and class warfare. whereas tiindenbtirjr is procla.med as a man whom the whole nation trusts?. The Republicans retort that Hindenburg is a militarist with 110 knowledge of statesmanship, and w-iuld ho a more puppet in the hs.nds_ of those suming at the restoration ~,f vlx: .Uohenso.'erns. His election would be a set-back to Gernianv in the affairs of the world.

A HOT CONTEST. THE FINAL APPEALS. (RECTXfI'S TELEGEAUS.) (Received April 26th, 5.5 p.m.^

LONDON, April 25.

An extraordinarily virulent Presidential campaign, which is likely to pro- j duce the closest voting at to-morrow's poll, was concluded with broadcast j speeches by Dr. Marx and Marshal von Hindenburg. The former emphasised tho need for Democracy and tho peaceful development of Europe. The shal, who has taken little personal part in tho campaign, strongly appealed to the Nationalist sentiment. Ho promised to recognise that Germany lost tho war and must bear the consequences thereof, hut the people must riot remain slaves forever. Monarchist and Republican flags are equally evident in Berlin. Fifty excited meetings were held in the capital yesterday. Herr Ebert, son of the Kx-Prosiflont, had tho temerity to call out "Long live the Republic" at a Monarchist meeting, and was promptly arrested by the police, who inflicted tho usual truncheoning before releasing him.

THE MAIN ISSUE.

"APPROVAL OF THE WORLD."

(Received April 26th, 5.5 p.m.)

LONDON, April 25

Hiudenburg's speech was broadcasted in London through the enterprise o£ the "Daily Express." Tho Berlin correspondent of tho "Daily Telegraph" says no political vote in Germany is moro difficult to predict than that to be taken to-mor-row. The struggle is between Dr. Marx, a man with a record, and Hindenburg, an idol with a legend. If tho riollinc corrcsDonds oloselv with that of the first ballot on March 29th, Dr. Marx should receive 13J- million votes and Hindenburg 111- millions, but such consistency cannot be expected. Many Socialists may prefer to make trip.s to the country to see the fruit blossom, which now is in its full glory. Industrialists have many reasons for not wanting Hindenburg. If tiho instincts, of the party bosses are true, the main issue of the election is tho approval of the outside world. Never before have the views of the foreign Press been so voluminously quoted.

The vital importance of the election may be judged by the fact that the President is Commander-in-Chief of the army and navy, and in the opinion of the foremost lawyers could, under Clause 48 of the Constitution, destroy the present structure of Germany and restore the ex-Kaiser without trespassing beyond his legal rights.