Evening star., 1925-05-29
u S. Will Give Won Hindenbrre
Fair Field, But No Loopholes

With the German reins Of govern
ment firmly in the hands of the field
marshal President. the United States
has settled back calmly to watch the
course and give Gen. Hindenburg a
chance to prove that he can hold to
the republican highway.
THE inauguration OF Hindenburg
as President of Germany marks the
beginning Of an uncertain period in
German and international politics" !"
observes the Springfield Union. Hin
denburg himself has been tactfully
silent concerning his plans, and the
enthusiasm of the monarchists has re-
vealed itself more as qualification at
the defeat Of socialism than as antici-
patory Of monarchist revolution.
Nevertheless, Hindenburg's former po-
sition and his known sympathies
make him a man who will not be
trusted as a republican leader until
he has given evidence Of his good
faith.
Despite foreboding that the cleo
ton of Hindenburg would be the sig
nal for a monarchist coup d'etat,
there is nothing in the news from
Germany which indicates the slight
est drift toward restoration" declares
the Peoria Journal, and the Altoona
Mirror adds: while it is certain that
the enemies Of the republic are feeling
extremely happy at the moment, it is
quite possible that they are mistaken
concerning the sentiments Of the ma
iority Of the German people or the in
tended policies of President Won Hin
denburg."
Taking into consideration all that
has happened since the armistice, the
Lowell Leader believes there is the
feeling that unity will not be at
tanned if the President allows himself
to become the tool Of the monarchists
and junkers. Certainly the slightest
indication of such a tendency would
destroy Germany's hopes of resuminG
normal relations with the other pow
ers." The Pittsburgh Gazette-Times,
however. thinks there is no reason to
question Hindenburg' sincerity. This
paper remarks: His pledge and ap-
peal are in keeping with his oath of
office. 1t may be objected that the
oath is conventional and may mean
nothing to a monarchist. But, far
from being absolute, the President is
not a very important part of the
German government. He may exert
a vast influence over the people by
precept and example, provided he
choose his course intelligently." The
Times concludes: "Hindenburg has
begun well. At his age he can have
no hope of altering the tread of
events, of turning the tide now run
ming in favor of democratic control" :"
The Anaconda Standard believes
the German Nationalists naturally
would like to make the most Of Won
Hindenburgs inauguration and natu-
rally the Communists would like to
make a mess of it." The Standard
observes: while Won Hindenburg is
maintaining q Coolidge-like reticence
as to things in general, he has taken
occasion to say that he is not the tool
Of any faction but stands for union
and harmony. For the present, at
least, there is every indication that
things will run along in Germany
pretty much as usual. Not at this
stage Of the political game is there
any probability that any Hohenzol-
lern-father, son or grandson--will
offer himself in evidence"
IF foreign countries, particularly
the former enemies OF Germany. will
now act with restraint and poise, y
says the Springfield Republican, 'it
is possible that the republic will be
stronger than ever when Won linden
burg leaves the presidency. linden
burg was used by party politicians
seeking votes as Gen. Grant was used
after the Civil War. His success sig