Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-11-02
BY FRANK H. SIMONDS.

XX the success &, Of I'll. the Ger.
Nv. ing session of the Reichstag
can count only as victory
in preliminary skirmish, it
does certainly gain time at a point
where time is wellnigh invaluable
What the Bruening cabinet faces is a
combination of utterly irreconcilable
Rroups-Communists, Fascists and Ma
s10nalists-capable of acting together
against government at a given mo-
ment, but just as likely to engage in
battle against each other. That such
an ill-assorted combination can hold to-
gether permanently is almost out OF
the question.
In addition to time, the Bruening
government has also gained a certain
position in the world. Even in France,
where the recent election produced
something like an earthquake. there is
q recognition now that FaScism is only
one side of the German picture; that
Hitler Is not to have it all his own
way. Above ALL the French radicals
have found an excuse for sticking fast
to their thesis of Franco-German
friendship in the face of new explo-
sion Of French nationalism.
Yet 1t Is essential to perceive that the
Bruening success was predicated upon
. very definite program. The Chancel-
Tor cannot undertake revision of the
treaties, he cannot even force union
Of Austria and Germany, but he can
and must do something in the matter
OF PREPARATIONS. And the very life of the
present cabinet will now depend upon
success or failure in obtaining for Ger
many not merely the moratorium,
which IL Is within her power to demand
under the terms OF the Young plan, but
beyond that the assurance of a further
reduction Of the totals themselves.
Made Clear in Speech.
Bruening made that very clear In his
opening speech. Paris and London
have very promptly appreciated its sig.-
nificance. And while DR.. Schacht for
mer president of the Reichsbank, has
been busily engaged in fixing in the
American mind the impossibility OF
German fulfllment under the Young
plan, many French and British voices
have been raised in eager support of an
American consent to a proportionate
reduction of war debts.
For the moment it Is clear that the
German government and the Reichstag
understand that no German claim can
be accepted as well founded while Ger
man finances are in their present shape
and an unbalanced budget and a waste
full and indefensible level of appropria-
tons is maintained. ,Bruening has thus
obtained preliminary assent to his
financial program, which amounts to
enabling Germany to come with clean
hands to the court of world opinion,
before which she means presently to
Justify her resort to a moratorium.
4 In sense Bruening'S position con-
sists in a deliberate and double appeal.
To his fellow countrymen he says, in
substance: II can only get a mora
forum without arousing general hostil-
ity and perhaps provoking repriSalS II
you let me get the home situation in
order" But just as plainly he is say
ing to the outside world: Choose be-
tween Hitler and me. If you want q
Fascist Germany, stick to the repara-
tons terms, but If you want a parlia-
mentary and republican Germany, for
tify my position by making the neces-
sary concessions"
Loan Will Aid Germany.
The loan of SIPS 900 900 by the Inter-
national Bank at Basel will tide the
Germans over the bad year end. 1t
win probably enable Germany to make
ct least one more payment under. the
Young plan, completing the year. The
majority of the Bruening government
in the first session suggests that the
cabinet may last for some months But
unless every sign fails, Germany Is not
going to have any return of prosperity
this Winter. Unemployment, now at
unprecedented levels, will increase, Suf-
fering is bound to be general, and I'M
rest Is inevitable. Some time during
the Winter, then, Bruening will have to
apply abroad for relief, and his survival
at home win be predicated upon sue
cess In this appeal. Thus. fairly early
in the new year. we are going to have
the whole question Of reparations and
debts placed again before the world.
At this moment Europe hopes-and
in part believes-that there will be a
brusque reversal Of American policy,
and that the Hoover administration will
agree to a moratorium in debts paral-
ielinR that in reparations, and thus