The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-02-27
BY MILTON BRONNER
European Manager. NEA Service

BY MILTON BRONNER
European Manager. NEA Service
Copyright 1882 NEA Service. Incl
DERLIN, Feb. 27.-When Paul Won
- Hindenburg, former commander
in-chief of the German armies, re-
tired to Hanover and put on "civies,"
he dreamed of passing his declining
years in peace and quiet. But this
was not to be.
Every time he walked down the
street, a crowd followed him. He
humorously growled:
Frau Won Hindenburg has gone
out shopping. used to like to do
this, too, but now I can't. The
crowds get in my way"
Suddenly, something happened in
Berlin. The extremists in the
monarchist camp and the would-be
German Bolsheviks had been de-
feated and the republic established.
A committee of the reichstag was
appointed to inquire into the con-
duct of the war;
Ludendorff was perturbed. He
knew they would go after him. He
besought his old chief to come,
too. With his characteristic loyalty
the old man agreed.
In November, 1919, he appeared
in Berlin. Taking his views from
Ludendorff, who had been the ac-
tive politician, h eblamed the gov
eminent back home for not giving
the army full support. Then came |
the celebrated sentence:
"As an English general truly said: |
The German army was stabbed in !
the back"
Out of that for years grew the
legend that Germany would have
won the war if it had not been for
the home front.
TN 1925, Fritz Ebert, first president
Il of the republic, died suddenly.
A national election would have to
be held to choose his successor.
Ludendorff was nominated by one
crowd and there also were several
other candidates, but because of a
technicality the race had to be run
over.
Somebody suggested that linden
burg would be the very man. Ennis
SarieS were sent to Hanover. The
old man turned them down. He
knew they we're trying to exploit his
popularity.
He told them he never had been |
party man and did not desire to |
become one in his old age. Besides, |
he was bothered by bronchial ca |
tarrh and was very broken up by |
his loneliness since the death of his |
wife.
The Nationalist sent sly old Ad-
miral Won Tirpitz He pictured to !
Hindenburg that it was his duty to
the fatherland to run for president.
Hindenburg was persuaded.
TT proved sensation, both at |
i home and abroad. In Germany
good democrats feared Hindenburg
would be merely a figurehead until
the monarchiStS could bring back
Hohenzollern to the throne. The
allies feared very much the same
thing.
A rip-snorting campaign ensued.
The old man took little part in it.
In an Easter message to the
people, he said that when he had |
been a soldier he never considered
party interests, but always the ma
ton. The head of the state, too,
must stand above parties and adj
minister his office in the interests
of all the citizens.
He appealed to every patriotic
German to play his part in the re-
vival of the fatherland and to pre-
serve religious and social peace.
His supporters and his opponents
thought this was mere empty talk.
The Nationalist hoped and the
democratic forces feared that, if
elected, he would be power to
overturn democratic institutions.
TINE election took place on Sun
Il day, April &c, 1925. The old
man spent a quiet day with his
family. He did not wait until re-
turns came in.
He went to bed at 10 and gave
orders that he was not to be
awakened. His excited family stayed
up.
The first returns were unfavora-
BILE. The big industrial cities were
heavily against him. But later
news came from Bavaria and East
Prussia. Hindenberg was leading.
At l in the morning his election
seemed certain.
When the newly elected president
woke up the next morning victory
was assured. ........,.
On May II he was inaugurated
as president in Berlin and took
this oath:
ct swear by God the Almighty
and All-Knowing that I will de-
vote my powers to the welfare of
the German people, increase its
benefits, avert danger from it, OBJ
serve the constitution and the laws
of the Reich, conscientiously fulfill |
my duties, and do justice toward |
everyone. So help me God"
What the old man swore to, he |
meant to keep. He did
lie supported the constitution
faithfully He acnnroted the