Evening star., 1932-11-22
No Hitler Autocracy Yet.

NO h1tler huLOCTdCy 4ct'
Herr Adolf Hitler is discovering that
there is many slip twixt the cup and
the lip, so far as his cravings to be
autocrat Of Germany are concerned. He
was asked by President Won Hindenburg
yesterc " to consider set of terms on
which the old field marshal would con-
sent to the formation of a government
under the "Nan" leaders chancellor
ship Before nightfall Herr Hitler had
rejected that provisional proffer, though
the door seems to have been left open
for compromises on both sides. The
point on which the National Socialist
chieftain baked was President Won
Hindenburg's insistence that Hitler as
sure himself Reichstag majority capa-
Bile OF legislating on normal occasions
within the framework Of the constitu-
ton. AS the "Nazi" creed breathes fire
and damnation on parliamentary insti-
tutions and would substitute autocracy
in their stead, Hitler declined Office on
the conditions submitted. He repre-
sented that to assent to them would be
q negation of the principal plank in the
German Fascist platform.
Whatever the outside world may
think of latter-day political develop
ments in Germany, and it has felt
justified in viewing many of them with
genuine alarm, President von Hinden-
burg continues to stand like the rock
he is against the attacks which the
"Nazis" avowedly would level against
the Republic, the constitution and
stable international policy. The SOL
dier-statesman told Hitler in Berlin on
Monday that the chancellorship might
be within the Brown Shirt generals
simos grasp If he subscribed to the fol-
lowing pledges:
No change in the conduct of the
Reichwehr ministry, in order not to
impair continuity of the national de-
Tense policy.
No change in the conduct of the
foreign office, so as not to disturb pend
ing international negotiations.
Continuation of the program Of eco
nomic revival begun by the Won Papen
cabinet and, therefore, no abrogation
of the emergency DEGREES on economic
and social service matters.
Avoidance of currency experiments
that might strain Germany's economic
system.
No change in the Reich's interven-
ton in Prussia
Legislation by the Reichstag major
ity In normal constitutional way and
no longer by emergency decree under
Article 40.
No restriction of the Presidents pow-
ers, especially no legislative attempt to
limit his emergency powers under Ar
ticle 49,
The purpose of the Presidents seven
points is plain. He means to thwart,
to the extent of his powers, the ex-
treme radicalism to which the "Nazis"
are committed. should they contrive to
obtain control of the Reich govern
ment. On its face, the Hitler program
would plunge Germany into civil war
and directly menace the peace of Eu-
rope. The 6re-eating leader Of the
country's largest political party, who
rejected the chancellorship earlier this
year unless he could be another Mus
solini," would turn the treaty of Yer
sailles forthwith into a scrap of paper.
He would by that token reassert Ger
manys claim to her lost colonies, to
Alsace-Lorraine and to the Polish Cor
ridor. He would de-legaize reparations
and cancel all right on the part of the
allied powers to collect any further
portion of them. He would insist, with
out the fornality of negotiations, upon
Germany'S privilege to arm TO the
teeth, If she desires and is able to do So
He would maintain his personal army
Of Black Shirt storm troops" who at
one time this Summer were mobilized
near Berlin for direct action" pur-
poses. He would make life a burden
for Germany's large and important
Jewish community, if he did not actually
prescribe its continued presence on
German soil.
The grim old Prussian soldier, whom
DR.. Julius Curtius likens to one Of the
stately big trees of the Yosemite VAL
ley in his imperviousness to external
influences which would uproot his
fundamental principles or bend him
from his sworn duty, has set up new
"Hindenburg line" The field marshal
held its predecessor against more
formidable forces than Hitler can fling
against the defenses the President of
the Reich has erected in the name of
German domestic tranquility and Eu-
ropean law and peace.