New-York tribune., 1918-06-24
that is ultimate. Meanwhile they are
fighting for their own immediate sur
vival. What is it worth?
Is Hnldenburg Real?

Is Hmdenburg Real?
Strange tales come from Germany
about the famous Won Hindenburg. He is
dead. He has typhoid fever. He Is in
sanatorium. He has been taking part in
the celebration of the Kaiser's anniver-
sary. 1t is obvious that all these tales
cannot be true. Were they put out by the
censor with intent to deceive? What is
the residuum Of truth in the mixture of
falsehood? The simplest explanation is
often the best. The assumption that Won
Hindenburg is the German Mrs. Harris
has much to commend it. Mrs. Camp, it
will be recalled, quoted her mysterious
friend so often that Mrs. Prig finally
burst out with the challenge, "I don't be.
lieve there's no such person" Is not a
Hindenburg myth equally possible? The
theory is at least as plausible as many
that have been maintained by deep
thinkers.
Even the very pictures Of this Teutonic
hero confirm the impression that he is a
type rather than an individual. Look at
the square head, the narrow, beetling
brows, the cruel mouth, the ponderous
gestive of national characteristics than
Uncle Sam or John Bull. 1t is the Ger
man glass of fashion and mould Of form.
Consider, too, the development of the
Hindenburg legend-its origin in the
Masurian Lakes, fit abode for dem,-
gods; its cult symbol; namely, huge wood
en- statues into which worshippers drive
nails; its use as a means of striking ter
ror to the heart of the enemy. Would
real Hindenburg be thus permitted by
the All Highest to take the centre of the
stage? Even the name is not exempt
from suspicion. How easy to transform
"Hinter berg" behind mountain.
"Hsnter dem Berge holte',"--to stop be-
hind the mountain--is a familiar Ger
man expression for deception. And burg
itself, of course, means stronghold. The
symbolism is only too plain.
Perhaps the Old Man of the Mountain
was recalled by the creator Of this nys-
terious Hindenburg. 1t is significant that
was the head of sect known as "The
Assassins" s"-a further commentator to
Teutonic admiration. 1t may be said, of
course, that there must be some real fig
ure chat passes with the German people
for Hindenburg. But that is not essen
tial to the growth Of legend. Arch
bishop Whately's "Historic Doubts About
Napoleon Buonaparte" is highly con-
vincing volume. History is full of mys-
teries, from days long before King Ar
thur. George Psalmanazar invented a
Formosa he had never seen. There are
those in our own time whom we accept
with little scrutiny. Is there real
Colonel House? To be sure, we have had
biography to prove that there is, but
much of this, obviously, may have come
from the brain Of the writer. Mcpherson
invented Ossian, and Dr.. johnson was
one of the few who refused to accept the
authenticity of the carefully devised doc
uments in the case.
Whatever the difficulties of accepting
this theory Of Hindenburg, are they not
less than those of imputing to one man
all the deeds ascribed to the name? Ger
many is Hamlet" said German Shake
spearian critic long ago, in the days
when the Germans were divided and an
irresolute folk. Why should not Germany
now be Hindenburg, the superman, the
efficient, the remorseless, the hammer Of
Thor, the spear of Wooden? How else
shall we pluck out the heart of this mys-
terry?