GERMAN POLITICS

Hokitika Guardian, 16 March 1932, Page 5

GERMAN POLITICS

HITLER’S SUPPORT DISAPPOINTMENT AT RESULT. # United Press Association—Ly Electric Telegraph —Copyright.) LONDON, March 15. The “Daily Telegraph’s” Berlin correspondent says that the Hitlerites are extremely disappointed at the result, for, they fully expected as many votes as Von Hindenlnirg received, or even more. Herr Hitler had ordered rooms here:, expecting to celebrate bis triumph Fieri- Bruening’s supporters are elated as they did better than was expected. As a significant sequel to Sunday’s polling, the Nationalist leader, Hugonberg, suggests that in view of the certainty of Hindenburg’s success, the constitution should instantly be amended, declaring him elected, and dissolving the Reichstag, so that an election thereof may he held simultaneously with the polling for the Bavarian Wurthembarg and Prussian diets.

A VETERAN SOLDIER. PAUL HINDENBURG’S CAREER. President Hindonburg is in his eighty-fifth year. He was born at Posen, his full name being Paul von Beneokendorff und Hmdenbtirgi his family belonging to - the old nobility of Germany. He entered the army in April, 18(16, and fought against Austria, being wounded at Konig-gratz. In tiie Franco-German War he fought at Gravelotte, St. Privat, and Sedan, and took part in the seige of Paris. He joined the General Staff in 1878, and nine years later became Chief of Staff of the Bth Army Corps, in 1897 ho was promoted Major-General, and three years later became LieutenantGeneral and Commander of the 28th Division. In 1903 he took over the command of the 4th Army Corps. He retired in 1911, his military career apparently being ended. At 67 years of age. however, his fame as a soldier was really only beginning. When the World War broke out and the Russians invaded East Prussia, the Kaiser appealed toi the old General, whose request for a e command had at first been refused, to take charge of German operations in the country of the Masurian marshes. Hindenburg had made a special study of the territory, and bold a theory that the best wav to overwhelm the Russians was to drive them into the marshes. For this idea lie lmd been contemptuously m

named by the younger war lords as “Old General Mud.” With Ludendorff and Hoffman as his Lieutenants, the veteran put his theory into practice, entangled the Russians in the marshes, achieved the* great victories of Tannenberg and the Masurian Lakes, and set East (Prussia free, incidentally ending the hope of a Russian dash into Germany.

These successes were followed by the invasion of Poland and decisive battles at Lodz and Ravka. The famous ride to Courland came next, then a march on the Dvina and the coast, and ultimately tile defeat of Brussiioff. In 1916 Hindonhurg succeeded Halkenhnyn as Chief of the General with LmlemiorfT as his OuarterniasterGeneral. The old Field-Marshal had become the idol of Germany. A huge wooden statue of the hero was raised, and thousands of admirers, in re-: turn for contribtuions to the war funds, were allowed to drive nails into the arotesqup effigy; After the failure of the German attacks in 1918. Hindenberg told the. Government, that further 1 resistance was impossible. He offered his services to the new readme and directed the retreat of the German forces. He retired in .June, 1919, went to Hanover, and there wrote his memoirs, which appeared in 1929. In 1925, alter the death of President Kbert, the Monarchists having failed to secure the election of their candidate, Herr Jarres, put forward Field-Marshal Hindeiibuiv for the second ballot. He was elected on April. Jib. receiving 14,639,399 votes against 13.752,640 for Marx, the Republican candidate. It has been said in Germany that- be failed to fulfil the hopes cherished b.v the Monarchists, and when lie signed the Locarno Pact. General Ludeitdorff denounced his old friend and comrade as a traitor His favourite recreation at 80 years'of age was to get away into tlie Bavarian Alps and! there stalk chamois and the red deer.