Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-09-13
FOUR MEN ARE CONSIDERED
TO SUCCEED Won F1INlDENBERG
Retirement of President Now
Regarded as Certain
Next Year.
Luther, Braun, Schacht and
Breitscheid Seen Pos
sibiIities.
BY Radio to The Star.

BY Radio to The Star.
BERLIN, September IL (NANA)-
Paul Won Hindenburg will definitely
close his third career in the public
service when his seven-year term as
president of the German Reich expires
May -, 1882
All political Germany wrestles with
the problem of his successor.
From time to time there has been
announcement of President linden
burg'S probable retirement, always ecu.
pied. however, with the desperate asser-
ton that no successor was in sight.
Therefore it was intimated that if by
this means or that the 'old man" could
be available again, Germany would eX-
perience n great relief.
For this giant legend, whose charac-
ter is so simple, whose loyalty is so
perfect, and whose prestige overrides,
when it wishes, everything political in
Germany, represents today for Ger
many as for all the world the sound,
HONEST, common sense of the German
people.
Time Final Factor.
The decision, however, is irrevocable
Time has written the sentence. The
last year. and especially the six recent
months CT crisis, have written a deci-
sion: not on the. unfaltering frame but
on the weary face of the aging hero.
It is perceptible in the mouth, yet
not in the unwavering attention the
President gives to those who talk with
him. There is none Of that semi-doZ-
ing SO often characteristic of the tired
physical frame. But the years have
loosed somewhat the taut lines Of that
square-caSt countanance, and linden
burg is noble, aging man.
Himself defer of doctors and an
apostle of the temperate life, it has
been necessary this year to maneuver
him more frequently into periods of
rest, to diminish the applicants for his
attention, to conserve him and his con-
elusive word for the all-too-frequent
critical moments.
Next year the great German legend
must pass into the heroic twilight of
German gods, honored as no German of
living memory. But behind him the
vast space of his presence yawns. The
presidential term is for seven years.
And even the blindest worshiper of the
legend knows that between 83 and 90
the burdens OF the presidency would be
a swift death warrant. Yet linden
burg did not expect to live out his
present term when he accepted it.
Every informed German appreciates
the situation and knows the decision is
final. But every informed German to-
day. as six months ago, throws up his
hands when asked to nominate a sue
cessor. There can be no successor to
Hindenburg: there can be only a new
President, which is very different. To
natural qualifications must be added
sufficient character to make up for the
withdrawn prestige of the legend
Who are the candidates for this
DOUBTFUL task of replacing legend.
First, there is DR.. Luther, head Of the
Reichsbank Mayor of Essen, finance
minister under Marx and Marks sue
cessor as chancellor it was Luther who
greeted the politically unwelccme Hin
denburg as President, and, expert tao
tician that he is, gentled the giant into
the seat of authority.
Luther wishes to be President Many
are opposed to him. Some because he
is a solemn, dull man; others because
they are in0ustrialists and do not like
his tedious, detached view OF what seem