Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-08-03
BY JULIAN HARRIS.
BY Radio to The Star.

BY Radio to The Star.
BERLIN, August 8 (N.AN.A).-Al-
most overnight the spirit in Berlin has
changed from apathy and helplessness
to determination and self-help. Two
weeks ago-indeed, one week ago-the
defeatist atmosphere was heavy with
hopelessness and filed with the fear
of a new chaos; imitation, riots or
bankruptcy, or all three. And while
the people of Germany waited, not
knowing what might happen, they
showed a sort of courage which may be
termed the courage Of desperation.
within the past few days there has
been undoubtedly q new psychology
among the Germans. new fighting
spirit has come to life. Their passive
courage seems to have changed into
DYNAMIC determination to set Ger
nany's house in order and meet I'M
flinchingly the internal results OF the
drastic program which this new MOOD
of Germany will enable the government
to enforce.
And if, as it seems, Chancellor
Bruening and his aides have caught
the spirit that is abroad in Germany,
they will find eager followers.
There are two critical periods ahead
this week. The first is the opening OF
the banks and the return to normal
handling of checks and credits. THIS
took place today, and it is unlikely that
any unusual withdrawal of currency
will occur.
Referendum August 9.
The second critical period Is the rel
erendum on August 9, when there VIII
be a vote on the question OF new cleo
tions for the Prussian Landtag. This
referendum was forced by the Nazis
and Hugenberg groups, but when the
Communist party joined in the move
Hitler'S party became suddenly luxe
warm and its newspapers have been
practically silent on the subject.
This situation is bathing to most OF
the experienced observers here. 1t Is
evident that Chancellor Bruenlng has
no fear as to the result Of either the
opening of the banks or the vote ON the
referendum, for he and Herr Curtlus
are planning to leave wednesday Tor
visit to Signor MuSsolini.
Whether American correspondents
have emphasized and attempted to an
alyze Germany'S change of front, am
not aware. 1t was not among the high
officials who sit in tall chairs and de-
eide the fate of nations, but among
business men, German newspaper men,
professors and minor officials that
first encountered this new spirit, and
it was most evident in the ranks of
the average persons in whose homes I
visited. It is in my opinion no exag-
geration to assert the real German
crisis has paSSed-the crisis of apathy
caused by the fear of disturbances at
home and the sense Of helpleSSneSS in
foreign affairs.
There viii be, Of course, other critical
periods partly as the result of the new
fighting spirit which will lead to a de-
termined effort to put Germany on its
own. There win be an increase in I'M
employment, there will be business
failures, there will be bank failures,
Just as such things happened in the
period of def1ation In the United States,
but it is safe to predict there will be no
revolution, no chaos, and Hitler's party,
which Is rapidly losing the support of
those industrialists who provided him
with funds, will be forced to find its
inspiration in broader fields than mere
opposition.
Wen Known American Quoted.
For Germany is now in the mood to
undergo additional sacrifices in order
that she may follow the path of rebirth
and self-ccnfidence. When this appar-
ent change in outlook was mentioned to
an American, who is as well known
here as at home, he said:
ut seems almost miraculous. 1t IS
my opinion that the change extends
through all ranks and includes the high
est officials. AS matters stand today,
think that you cannot put it too
strongly. Germany'S revived courage
and the spirit of self help are beginning
to dominate German psychology"
At the moment of the Hoover plan
proposal more than five weeks ago the
German morale was at its lowest ebb.
The people were ruled by defeatist
spirit and had lost confidence both in
the government and themselves. Then,
when the Hoover proposal was made,
the public pendulum of national feeling
swung too far the other way. Hope
turned into elation, and Germany pre-
pared to lean on the United States and
Great Britain.
The original Hoover plan met resist
ance at the point of Frances chauvin-
istic bayonet. The Paris parley and
the London conference failed to pro-
vide what Germany thought was as
sured. From almost that moment Ger
many'S mood began to change. For my
part, I believe the new psychology
began in irritation at the French atti-
tude. Herr Bruening and Herr Custius
have been annoyed, also, but they had
two reasons for not feeling pessimistic.
win Abandon Quest for Loans.
The first was that France had not
shown herself strong enough to force
the holding of only one conference
when the United States and Great
Britain insisted that all parleys should
be transferred to London. The second
was that, as result of the Paris meet
ing, France and Germany may have
reached the beginning Of an agreement
They are now in frank accord as to
which policies they are in complete
disagreement on. This places the two
nations where, as one observer said,
they may be able 10 proceed on parallel
lines, and, if Einstein is correct in his
theory that parallel lines do eventually
meet, there may be in the future be-
tween Germany and France an entente