Evening star., 1925-04-27
Won Hindenburg's Election.

Germany's presidential election re-
suits in the choice of Field Marshal
Paul Won Hindenburg to be the head
of the republic by majority of near
ly 100000. That result is significant
of reaction in the German mind
toward monarchism.
Won Hindenburg, now in his 18th
candidate by the Nationalists of Ger
many. No other candidate could have
aroused the electorate so deeply. He
appealed to all the militant sentiments
of the people. Out of a total of about
38,000,000 qualified voters some 80
100000 cast their ballots, an excep-
tionally large percentage. OF these
Won Hindenburg, according to the
latest figures, received 1859, ,399,
while Marx was given 13,752,640.
Thaelmann, the Socialist candidate,
polled 1,e31,591 votes. Upward of
$4,000 votes were declared invalid.
It has been figured that Hindenburg
was elected by the former stay-at-
home voters, chiefly women and farm
ers Of Schleswig and East Prussia. In
the agrarian areas Hindenburg polled
$500, 900 more votes than did Jarres in
the March election, which failed of re
suit, while DR.. Marx gained only half
million more votes than were polled
by the three Republican parties on
that occasion. Nevertheless. Won Hin
denburgs vote is only plurality and
not a majority, as Marx and Thael-
mann were given over a million more
votes than he.
No present estimate can be made as
to the effect of Won Hindenburg's
election upon the process of war set
Elements by Germany under the Dawes
plan. Reputation Of the agreements
already made can. be effected only by
the Reichstag, in which the Nation
alists are minority. Upon the new
Presidents choice Of chancellor much
depends. Should the election of Won
Hindenburg lead to a definite develop
nHent Of monarchistic sentiment
Reichstag blockade may result, with
would put this issue squarely before
the German people.
Reputation Of the war indemnity
is a possibility in such an event. Won
Hlndenburg's election Undoubtedly
means that nearly a majority of the
electorate is opposed to the Republican
organization, whether to the form of
government remains undetermined.
The various monarchical movements
that have occurred have been sup
pressed. This election is not a "putsch''
in the sense that those endeavors
were, but its significance as a lean
ing toward the restoration of the old
regime is not to be mistaken.
On the eve of election Won Hinden-
burg declared himself distinctly as an
advocate of peace. During the cam
patgr, however, he appeared in full
panopiy Of militarism, clad in his uni
form, decorated with his medals. and
before him goose.stepped a multitude
OF adherents, emitting cries of mill
tary ardor. The electorate that SUD-
ported him will probably expect some
words or acts in keeping with this
demonstration. His powers, however,
are limited, and a reaction may re-
suit from a failure on his part either
to attempt or to succeed in an attempt
to promote monarchical develop
ment,
For the present it is Germany's
own problem. But it has a poten.
tlality for evI results in world af.
fairs. The real significance of yester-
days election is that a decisive mum.
Der OF the German people are willing
and anxious to proceed under the
leadership Of man whose national
services have all been in war.