GERMAN ELECTIONS

Hokitika Guardian, 30 July 1932, Page 5

GERMAN ELECTIONS

POLLING SUNDAY

HITLER PARTY’S PROSPECTS.

(United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.)

BERLIN, July 28

The German elections on Sunday atle expected to return a larger number idf the Rational Socialist'-Party, under HitAr, known as Nazis,- than -of any other party, but the Npzis may hot receive an absolute majority. Politicians and editors are full of the most. varied prophecies regarding the outcome of the present campaign. On one point nearly everyone is agreed: That the small parties wid be ground • to- almost vanishing point. The question of the relative strength of the Hitlerites on the one hand and the Social-Democrats and Communists on the other, the most astonishingly different versions have been heard and believed by large sections of the people. Reports from the country districts, especially in North Germany, agree that the National-Socialist tide is st: 11 flowing with apparently ulidiinittished intensity. The Nationalist-Socialiistn or Hitler’d Nassia, them solves, claim that they are sweeping on stronger tlmh over and declare that they will got from 2?0 to 280 scats, .whereas,. their present strength is 107;, \ The Social-Democrat leader, Herr Briethcheid, in a Press interview, awarded the Hitlerites 200 seats or thereabouts. In the cities and industrial regions on the other hand, the Hitlerite meetings this time are according to police returns, not so well attended as they were during the past two or three elections this year, and even Hitler had In some, places, to speak to; ha f-Jempty halls, jwhich encourages the Republicans to suggest that the Hitlerites arc on the wane.

An interesting development is manifesting itself among the Roman Catholic masses, where the so-called Christion trade unions, who are taking. a strong part in the election campaign for the Centre Party, have inaugurated gigantic prayer meetings, where thousands upon thousands of workmen, young and old, kneel to pray aloud for Germany’s rescue from her present dangers. They have also organised something resembling the Social Democrats’ “Iron Front.” The heads of this organisation are stated "to have already got into touch' with the Iron Front leaders for a common defencq action in case of an open “Fascist attack. ’ ;

There is a fairly general consensus of opinion that the Centre Party stands a good chance . pf increasing its number of seats. • Last week Hitler spoke to his nniformed followers in tke Olympic Start., ium at Berlin’s doorg. To-night, the Communist leader-.will muster his faces' in the Neukoll Stadium while the Social Democrats hold their main rally in the same place the following night. On Friday night the ex-Cliancellor, Dr. Bruening, will speak in Berlin’s largest hall, the Sportpalast, which was sold out within two days of the announcement, so that 1 the capital's second largest hall had to be taken for an overflow meeting. So far in Berlin, elec--.tioneering efforts h.nv°! been confined practically to the Hitlerites, SocialDemocrats and Communists. The Centre Party, however, is displaying similar activity in regions where the bulk of the population belong to -the Catholic faith. IN FEVER OF EXCITEMENT. REPORTS CREATING ALARM. (Received this dav at 11 a.m.) " BERLIN. July 29. Germany is in a. fever of excitement over what is described as the greatest fight for the fate of Germany since the revolution. Reports of the mobilisation of Hitler’s “Browh Shirt 7 ’ army, in readiness for the seizure of power after the election, is creating alarm. Couriers on motor cycles are reported to be leaving Munich headquarters and taking orders to company, battalion, regimental, and divisional commanders, ordering everyone to be alert on Sunday night. Storm troops from Pomerania and other places arrived in the neighbourhood of Berlin having said farewell to their families, like soldiers mobilising. They are not aware why they have | been summoned, but were ordered to bring three days’ food and blankets.