FATEFUL ELECTION.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLV, Issue 122, 27 April 1925, Page 5

FATEFUL ELECTION.

PRESIDENT OF GERMANY. THE RIVAL CANDIDATES. LONDON, April 25. The most fateful election in the history of Germany takes place to-day. The main light lies between Marshal Von Hindenburg and Dr. Karl Alarx. It is widely believed that if the former wins a way will be opened for tlie return of tho ex-Kaiser. The Daily Telegraph’s Berlin correspondent says that no political vote in Germany is more difficult to predict than that to be taken to-morrpw. The struggle is between Alarx, a man with a record, and ilindenburg, an idol with a legend. If the polling corresponds closely with that of March 29, Mtrx should receivo 13,250,000 votes and Ilindenburg 11,500,000, but such consistency cannot bo expected. Alany Socialists may prefer trips to the country to see the fruit blossom now in its full glory. Industrialists have many reasons tor not wanting Ilindenburg. ' If the instincts of the party bosses .are true tile main issue of the election is the approval of the outside world. Never before have tho views of the foreign press been so voluminously quoted. The vital importance of the election may bo judged by tlie fact that the President is Com-rnander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy, and in the opinion of the foremost lawyers could, under clause 48 of tho constiti;jr- . destroy the present structure of Germany any restore tho ex-Kaiser without trespassing beyond his legal rights.—A. and N.Z. cable.

BERLIN, April 24. With the approach of the Presidential election on Sunday, the campaign is reaching its height. Republican papers are overflowing with telegrams from New York emphasising the disastrous effects of Von Hindenburg’s candidature on the financial relations between American bunking circles and Germany. The Alonarchist press retorts with immense headlines across the page, underlined with red ink, “American finance is on the side of Ilindenburg.” Hindenburg’s supporters are making a bold bid for the women’s votes. A prominent writer is arguing that Dr. Alarx will get Gerinany into the League of Nations and involve her in League wars. The Reich Bloc writers and speakers also declare that Alarx also represents only party feeling and class warlare, whereas ilindenburg is proclaimed as the man whom the whole nation trusts.

Republicans retort that Ilindenburg is a militarist with no knowledge of politics or statesmanship, and would be a mere puppet in the hands of those aiming at the restoration cf the Ilohcnzollerns. His election would be a set back to Germany in the affairs of tho world. —A. and N.Z. cable.

BERLIN,: April 25. An extraordinary virulent Presidential campaign, which is likely to produce tho closest voting at to morrow's poll, concluded with broadcast speeches by Dr. Alarx and Von Ilindenburg. The former emphasised the need for democracy and the peaceful development of Europe. The .Marshal, who lias laken little personal part in the campaign, strongly appealed to the Nationalist sentiment. lie promised to recognise that Germany lost tho war and must bear the consequences thereof, but tho people must not remain slaves forever.

Monarchist and Republican flags are equally evident in Berlin. Fifty excited meetings wfre held in the capital yesterday. Ebert, son of the ex-President, had the temerity to call out : "Long live the Republic” at a Monarchist meeting, and was promptly arrested by the police, who inflicted the usual trouncheoning before releasing him. —A. and N.Z. cable.