The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1932. GERMAN POLITICS.

Hokitika Guardian, 10 November 1932, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times TH URSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1932. GERMAN POLITICS.

Ehe German elections have left the country in a. very pecu-iar position. While it appears to lmive increased tiie support for the present Government of von Panel), it continues the deadlock in the lteichstag which has been the excuse for the exercise of the dictatorial powers which have formed the Latsis of. the upkeep pi power, of thei present Government. The elections jusc concluded were the fifth appe.,l to the people in a very short period, wild have been a clever move in the fight for position by the two leaders cf the apposing parties, •and have apparently resulted in a win for von ’Schleicher. The Nationalist party which had been considerably weakened in former elections has in- , creased its strength from 37 to 60 seats. As the Nationalists alone in the previous Reichstag supported the Government, comments an, exchange, von Papen is justified in claiming that the change in their fortunes means that their action has been approved. For the immediate future, tiien, the Government is .secure; but in its other aspects the result of the election is so disquieting that the gain seems email. The new Reichstag, despite the increased strength of the Nationalists, will he even more violently antagonistic to the Government than its predecessor, for all hope of an understanding between Herr von Papen iand the Nazis seems to have vanished, the 'Centre Parties have become less complaisant, and the extremists of (the E/eft have gained heavily. It is questionable, indeed, whether the Government will find it safe to convene a Reichstag which, while it cannot provide the country with a constitutional administration, can do much to foment political strife and to emphasise the real weakness cf Herr von Papon’s position.', In short, the Government seems to have reached the stage at which its pretence of constitutionality has become a source cf weakness rather than of strength.. The question is whether it has sufficient courage, and can command sufficient confidence, to enable it to set aside the Wiemar Constitution, either temporarily or permanently. Its two great assets are Abe.: support cf the Reicliswehr and the police .and the personality of. General von .Schleicher, who is its actual leaderi General von Schleicher hasshown himself a master of politierl strategy; hut whether ho desires to bo a dictator or is capable of being a dictator is still unknown. The danger of 1 a coup d’etat is that the solidarity of the German nation may not stand the shock. The Communists, who would be the bitterest and mostmilitant opponents of such a move, have substantially increased their in the present election; end their strength is concentrated at strategic points. There will apparently he little hope’ of political stability for the present, with such divergent views prevailing and the lack of cohesion among the several parties.