OPINION IN GERMANY

Hokitika Guardian, 17 June 1932, Page 6

OPINION IN GERMANY

RESTORATION of monarchy BERLIN, June 6. With., giant strides, Germany continueLs to march towards a constitutional and a political unknown. Nobody knows whether the issue will be an autocratic monarchy, a Junker dictatorship, a Hohenzollei'n 'republic, or the anarchic disruption of the Reich into its component States Half of the country has#, *»3 face turned towards the legendary vision of an orderly, prosperous, powerful, happy Germany of the pre-war golden age. People thinking thus associate the Republic with the humiliations of defeat, the horrors of inflation, and the degradation of tribute money.

The other half see salvation in Republicanism, verging more and more towards thg full Socialist ideal. If the von Papen-von 'Schleicher Government does not win the corn'ng election, it may seize power and govern autocratically through the Reichswehr police, or, possibly, th e Brown Army, which it hopes to absorb.

Its power to remain in command is. another matter. Tile Republican spirit and the Socialist forces are s o strong that a Junker‘ Government would bo sitting on a revolutionary volcano. General von Schleicher is superior, to Herr Hitler as a tactician, and may ,steal the allegiance of the Nazi storm troops. His manifesto is a poweiful weapon for capturing the support ol a

despairing people. President von Hindenburg has fixed the elections for July 31st. The Nazis, jubilant at their success at the Mecklenberg poll', are redoubling their energies, and are preparing for an election campaign surpassing their earlier colossal efforts, says the Berlin correspondent of “The Times. Good judges, though favouring the Nazis, do not. predict a majority for them, and it seems improbable that the election will yield the dear result Mr which everyone longs.

MONARCHIST ..SENTIMENT. “A restoration of the monarchy was not seriously considered until General von Schleicher emerged as the power behind the Government,” declares Dr Roerig, the London correspondent of the '‘Cologne Gazette,” in an article in the “Evening News.” “This is quite natural, liowevm, or General von Sdlileicher is an intimate friend of the Oi’Pwn Prince, who, since his 'return from exile, has assiduously attempted to regain hi,s popularity. He has attended all th e great sporting events, but his interference in the recent election did not impress the public, and many considered that it did Herr Hitler more harm than good.” It is calculated that the majority of members of the Reichstag would accom-. modate themselves to a return ol the Hohenzoilerns, tlhe Berlin correspondent of the “News-Chronicle" .states. Ihs 'Monarchist sentiment of the next Reichstag 0 bound to be far stronger. When and how the issue w:II be ra sed depends upon the Mmister lor Defence (General von Schleicher), whom the “Berlin Tageblalt”' ca& Germany’s shadow Kaiser. Until * he gives the signal, no exiled German Royalty wT! cross the frontier.

The Republicans feel tlfiat the forma' challenge to the Republic cannot be long delayed. Nationalist and Nazi propaganda since 1920 has described {he Republic as the symbol of German weakness. and the schools have stress, d iJifpower and prestige of pre-war Germany under Frederick the Great and hi,- ,successors.