Evening star., 1931-12-09
BRUEN|NG DEGREES
ANTICIPATED HERE
Action Regarded as Last
Desperate Effort to Retain
Political Power.
BY CONSTANTINE BROWN.

The draconian DEGREES issued by
Chancellor Bruening supported by
President Hindenburg, surprised no.
body here.
In the last three weeks reports from
Berlin indicated that the German
chancellor would make last desper-
ate effort to maintain himself In pow
er. None of the foreign observers In
the German capital believes he will sue
ceed. His action is interpreted merely
as a gesture to prove to the delegates
gathered at Basle that Germany is
making superhuman efforts to put her
house in order and If France and her
associates fail to give Germany the
necessary relief, the blame should not
be put on the German government fer
what will happen later.
The German politicians are inclined
to place the burden of responsibility
for what is happening today In the
Reich on France. The French govern
ment hes repeatedly intimat;d to Ber-
lin that it could have no faith in a
nationalistic government. but that
France would show itself liberal minded
If a government supported by the
Socialists were in office.
In Office Since March, 1899.
AS result of this unofficisl but
none the less powerful intimation, Ger
many has been endeavoring to carry on
with government backed by the left
That government with moderate
Socialist, Herr Bruening, at the head
has been able to kesp itself in ONCE
since March, 1890 Previous to this
government the Germans hed the ad-
ministration of DR.. Msrx and DR.
kotk
of the Nstional--nct Nstionalistic-the
Democrat and the Socialist parties.
All these governments which followed
the Nationalistic government of DR.
Hans Luther found 1t hard to maintain
the cooperation OF the German left
They felt compelled, the Germans say
practically to bribe their supporters by
an extravagant system of social insur-
ance and unemployment relief. That
cost the German treasury good deal
of money, but there seemed to be no
way out. The Socialists would not sup
port any moderate cabinet unless il
provided lavishly for the members OF
the German working classes.
The dilemma the German leaders
were confronted with was this: They
either refused the extravagant demand.
Of the representatives Of the working
classes; In that case they could not gel
majority in the Reichstag and hac
to make room to q Nationalist govern.
ment. II this happened, the relations
between Germany and France woult
become increasingly 0ificult.
Or, they complied with the demand
OF the Socialists and trade unionists
in which case Germany was heading
Rstraight for bankruptcy.
Success Is Doubted.
The latter solution was adopted TO
two reasons-flrst, ii was considered
more important to keep on good term
with France and, second, DR.. Brueninl
believed that by giving ample financia
help to the working classes the Hitle
and the Communist movements would b.
weakened. He found out that he wa
mistaken. The Nationalist movemen
is today stronger than ever before, ant
Germany Is facing her second and NOR
important bankruptcy since the end o
the war.
Chancellor Bruening Is, however, {
fighter. He does not want to give vi
until the last possibilities OF maintain
ing his cabinet In office are exhausted
He also wants to demonstrate In I
| spectacular manner to the world ant
especially to the nations which ar,
sitting at Basle as judges Of Ger
many's financial and economic ca
pacity that Germany is doing her ut
most to avoid trouble.
Very few people believe that DR.
Bruening will succeed For this rea
son the present draconian measures
are considered in Washington as mer,
| palliatives and temporary decree
which will remain in force only a.
long as the Bruening cabinet remain
in office; that is to say, few weeks.