The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times MONDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1931. IN GERMANY.

Hokitika Guardian, 12 October 1931, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times MONDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1931. IN GERMANY.

Conditions in Germany appear to be in a most parlous condition, judging from recent cable news, and are sure to have a serious effect in the present unsettled state of Europe. The gravity of the present position is indicated in tlm desperate expedient adopted by President Hindenburg in the declaration of ca. rigid dictatorship and the suspension of the Constitution. The downfall of the Government weakens to. a dangerous degree the uncertain, position of a nation which has never been strong during the whole of the present momentous year. It is difficult, in the face of the latest developments, to avoid the conclusion that a distrust exists throughout Europe concerning Germany’s ability to rise above the unfortunate circumstances in which the events of the past year have left her, It may be that the recommendations of the Basle Conference came just too late to afford her the full measure of assistance which she required. Th expectations, fairly widely entertained, that the Conference would evolve a definite plan for a long term loan to Germany which would enable her to consolidate a part at least of her short term debt, and replace a proportion of the 3,309,00(1,000 marks, or approximately £1 < ,509,000 in English currency which were withdrawn in the first seven months of the present year would seem to have been falsified. The hope of re-establishing the country on a sound basts was manifested in a practical fashion by a decision to continue the short tc-m credits than had already been accorded to German The Government lias failed in jt-s efforts to rid"" Ho economic storm cod En’one is faceTT with a i C jp.nU.,ii similar to that nf lent July 1,,,+ ’'"finitely r" r, r'* r-nmnlicated since it is likely now to be very much more difficult to' stimulate confidence in the future of a nation that has '”V’nr'*"Gv for the second time within rix months exhausted her vo.-ources. The poplinn is desperate for Germanv and i* nt tlm same time fraught with serious difficulties for the rest of the Powers, not one of which can expect to emerge

unscathed at the present time from a crisis of very serious magnitude. The world wide nature of the depression and the grave happenings which have followed each other in rapid succession in Europe during the past twelve months myst-. compel a (dear recognition 1 of the fact that international, political, and economic relations must he established on a. foundation of mutual confidence. Germany’s plight must, therfore, be the world’s concern, and in the measure of succour which foreign countries and institutions are prepared to afford her resides her chief hope of ultimate recovery