Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-08-09
BY FREDERICK oECHsNER.

HE RLIN - The probable conse-
- quences TO Chancellor Bruening
Of the plebiscite today on dis
L. solving the Prussian Diet have
taken on a serious aspect. The
main cause Of this was the high-minded
method of the Prllssian Centrist-So-
cialist- Democratic cabinet in forcing an
anti-dissolution manifesto on the front
pages of all PrusSian newspapers, under
authority granted by the Bruening
emergency decree Of July II, dealing
with the press.
Bitter antagonism naturally was
aroused by tn, Sc methods, and the
Right Moderate party, which always has
supported Bruening. began to clamor in
full force for the divorce of the Gen.
trists (Bruenings party from the So
cialists, both in Prussia and in the
Reichstag.
Indications are clear that move will
be made to reconvene the Reichstag
and that the move will be joined by
groups which hitherto have respected
the chancellors wish to handle the af-
fairs of government alone.
May Turn TO Fascists.
.Bruening thus far has been able to
control the Reichstag by virtue of the
support Of the Socialists and certain
Right Moderate parties, unimportant In
dividually, but of great usefulness in
the aggregate. If these small parties
desert Bruening, as they now threaten
TO do II he does not quit the Socialists
it will be as damaging to his Reichstag
majority as II he actually threw the
Socialists overheard. Briefly. the chan
celior is between the devil and the deep
sea
The only coalition which otherwise
would secure a majority for Bruening
Is one which he thus far has avoided
one with the Radical Nationalist or
Fascists.
These developments have been In
dependent Of the possible results of the
plebiscite, Even if it fails and the Cen
triSt-Socialist regime retains dominance,
Bruening has a storm to face at home
when he returns Monday from Rome,
as the parties which are now calling
upon him to drop the Socialists are not
likely to drop their demands,
The plebiscite was started by the
Stahlhelm as propaganda move, but
1t has developed into a struggle, the
result of which will be an important
straw in the political wind. France
realizes this more clearly than any
foreign power, and in Germany 1t Is
well understood.
Cabinet Upset Possible.
Prussia forms two-thirds of the Reich
and has potent voice in the admins
trstive and executive affairs Of the
whole nation. Since the revolution the
Socialists have dominated the State
government, lately by virtue of Bruen-
ing's cooperation in return for sup
port in the Reichstag. Enmity between
the Socialists and the Radical parties
now pushing the plebiscite has been
gathering in intensity to such an ex-
tent that night to the death between
them was inevitable. The present al
fair will not be final, but IL viii offer
vital test Of comparative strengths
II the Prussian Diet Is dissolved and
the Radical Nationalist gain control OF
the next one, there is trouble ahead for
Braening, possibly leading TO the ne
cessity of his taking some of the victors
into the cabinet Even il the plebtscite
carries SIf the subsequent
electfon---tt will be blow to the chan
cellor's prestige, II not Immediately TO
his irfiuence.
The most grotesque development OF
the radical campaign has been the linz
ing-up of the Communists with the
Nationalist and the Fascists TO think
Of the Reds and the Hitlerites working
together is to think Of merger OF Ere
and water. But this union, based on q
common hatred Of the Socialists, cannot
persist after its objective has been won,
4 Il i 70 b won 81 ell. IN = resump-