San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1924-03-09
Hitler, Ludendorff and Com
rades Are Painted as
Saviors of Germany.
WILL REPUBLIC FAIL?
If Conspirators Go Free
There Can Be Little Hope
for New Regime.
By MAMMALIAN HARDEN.


Berlin. Mach S.-1'he German penal
code declares that whoever attempted
violently to alter the constitution Of
the German commonwealth or of any
German state, is guilty of high trea-
son. The Austrian scene painter,
Hitler, the Prussian, Ludendorff and
their comrades, in a mass meeting
held in a beer hall, proclaimed them
selvse as the new constitutional gov
eminent of Germany and Bavaria and
made preparations for march of u
legally armed hordes against Berlin
to restore the imperial constitution,
tear up the peace treaty, restore gen
eral military service and to bear the
black, white and red flag, which had
been legally abolished, "victoriously
across the Rhine
do Doubt Of Guilt.
There could be no doubt as to the
guilt of Hitler, Ludendorff and COM
pany, after their unambiguouS
speeches, proclamations and acts and
after the court procedure which has
jailed hundreds of communists. A
state which itself only recently came
into existence by the violent over
throw of all iaws-that is, by high
tieason-must avoid prosecutions foT
high treason as long as possible, but
must carry them through energetical-
ly if it once begins them, otherwise, it
loses respect and authority.
The law for the protection OF the
republic" provides that such cases
sholl be tried by the criminal court
at Leipzig. Hitler and company, nev-
ertheless, were brought before the
peoples court" in Munich-a court
which is not authorized by constitu.
ton or by law.
There they found an atmosphere
most favorable for their cause. They
were not addressed as "the accused"
but were called by their titles" Elk
ccllency," Herr Lieutenant" Sol
oneI," '"Herr Privy Court Council
deliver hour-long speeches and justify
their minutest actions. Witnesses
who were to be heard later remained
in the court room. Witnesses called
TO the stand bowed deeply to the chief
defendants before addressing the
court.
The Trial Is Only Propaganda.
Eight days were occupied with I'M
hampered Orations by the defendants.
who were permitted. during the re-
cesses to confer freely with each 9th
er. Their speeches and those of their
lawyers had the demagosic tone of the
mass meeting. All republican insti-
.utions were damned and ridieulod.
The republics founders were pilloried
as November criminals and traitors. ,
Former Crown Prince Rupprccht ut
Bavaria, was termed "his majesty, the
king" The spectators applauded the
most abusive expressions without re-
proof. Even the dignified prosecutor
was so reviled that he finally refused
to continue and left the court room.
Since the defendants. by their
speeches and their whole attitude
plainly showed that they hate and de-
spise German and Bavarian repCb-
hes. and would compel them TO return
to the form of military monarchy. and
since they openly assert that Bayarian!
State Commissar Won Kahr. General
Won Lossow and their followers strive
for the same end. the only Ques-
ton that remains whether high trea-
son ceases TO be a crime if high Off
Gals participate in or further it
Few Voice Opposition.
The Catholic party to which the
chancellor belongs, repulses the at
tacks made against the popedom and
the church by Ludendorff's blind fool
ishness. But the Nationalist who
worship Hitler and Ludendorff as he
roic demigods. regard the reports of
the proceedings as the most effective
election propaganda. Others either
keep silent or content themselves with
jeering and enjoy the Munich match
between Hitler and Ludendorff and
Won Kahr and Won Lossow, precisely
as they do any prize fight.
The Voelkesche are active and their
numbers increase steadily. despite the
fact that they can promise nothing
better than restoration or the mon
srchy and military power. levee en-
masse against France and her allies
in the west. and anti-Jewish pogroms
and other terrorism.
A new Reichstag will soon be elect
ed. A courageous government. filled
with glowing belief in democracy, in
freedom and in the republic. would be
compelled to take its campaign slogan
from the Munich trial, and place be-
fore the nation the clear question Of
whether it wanted to let itself be
plunged to destruction by beer hail
heroes, defeated militarists, unbiased
nobility, adventurers and idiots. II
the imperial and royal colors of Hit
Ter and Ludendorff win the victory,
then the wind which now is rather
favorable for Germany will change
suddenly. And at least the whole con-
tinent will have to suffer.