Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1932-01-18

not the political merit Of this or that
party, but rather catastrophe caused
by the almost unbelievable mistakes in
political leadership. During l3 years
Germany has been collapsing as con-
sequence Of an irresponsible policy OF
illusions. The fact that sound state
has been ruined in Is years constitutes
no guarantee that the fourteenth year
will bring recovery, particularly when
the engineers Of bankruptcy and failure
remain. What is even worse, they
fancy themselves the coming leaders OF
rehabilitation.
Anything can become tradition,
cleanliness as well as the opposite,
grandeur as well as decadence. II,
however. the political regime after IS
years OF activity can point to no other
item Of asset than declaration OF
absolute insolvency, does that not point
to q tradition Of failure?
IT truly believe that two traditions
can be distinguished today-namely,
the pre-war tradition which framed
what We now call Germany, and the
postwar tradition which has destroyed
Germany. I cannot understand why
the parties which in 1918 did not hest
tate to cut off all conditions between
themselves and the honorable past OF
Vic plC~Wau ENCASAA bONoy NAiAiS " NAA>
doctrine of continuity of political lead
ership-all the more SO as their politi-
cal achievement proves them such eX-
quiSite masters of destruction.
Attacks Vague Sentiments.
at shall never believe that fiabbiness
constitutes a political asset. I shall
never believe that a government based
on the fear of new elections can ever
act as an effective and dignified repre-
sentative Of nation. When, for In
stance. that big political organization,
the Social Democrats, which controls
your government, Herr Chancellor, de-
ciares that President Hindenburg Is
lesser evil than I, l must confess l can
only pity the government which Is
obliged to regard such motives as
root of its power. Surely, polltlcal
power can be preserved by such meth
DDS only for a short time. l feel that
one must pity nation represented by
a government based on such vague and
shifting sentiments. Such a govern
ment will never harvest genuine success:
IT do not believe that in the life OF
a nation rights can be waived without
compensation. Nobody can assume
that a nation can be represented sue
cessfully by q government merely ON
the basis of the argument that this
regime is necessary because OF some
thing worse which might follow.
When the present government In Lon
don pleads for the necessity OF its ex-
istence 1t bases its claim partly on the
danger of bolSheviSm and partly on the
danger of nationaliSm. That, OF course,
Is quite fiattering to me, but scarcely
so TO the German people.
Il hold that 1t Is absolutely necessary
that the German people be represented
by a government which does not need
TO speculate over the fear of something
worse which may follow. what Is
needed is a government with roots IN
the will of the nation, and not gov
eminent which rattles with the sabers
Of its gendarmerie.
II must confess, Mr.. Chancellor, that
must interpret any happening leading
TO the overthrow of the present regime
as a great external political success for
Germany. Such an overthroW-legally,
to be sure-constitutes the sole posi-
bility OF Transforming Germany from a
helplessly passive object into a valuable
and active member among European
nations Only when Germany can offer
something shall she be given something.
Only when friendship with Germany
means an advantage to the rest OF the
world will we 'have any practical work
ing basis.
Declines Cooperation.
"Germany's rehabilitation among the
society of nations is effectable only II
internal and moral rehabilitation is eff
fected beforehand. Everything hinges
on overthrowing the present regime
the regime which will go down in his
tory as being associated with the COM
plete internal and external diSintegra-
ton Of Germany. God grant that the
period which began in November, 1918,
will soon come to an end.
Therefore, ! must respectfully de-
cline any cooperation in an attempt
which will ultimately show only de-
sire to preserve the present regime, a
regime which must be destroyed as a
prelude to the German renaissance.
Also a moral aspect enters. We Ma
tional Socialists confess ourselves
rather puzzled at being suddenly -
forced to take second and third cuts
at the servants table - ushered into
s!e masters salon to assist at the
.yreat affairs of state. Haven't the
Epokesmen OF the preent regime any
| feeling for our justifiably surprised be-
Wilderment at being thus subjected to
such an explosion of affectionate eS-
| TEEN? Our self-reSpect alone, Mr..
| Chancellor, obliges us to decline your
proposition to agree to President Hin
| denburg's prolongation of Office by a
| two-t thirds majority OF the Reichstag.
"Yet, before closing. l desire again
to repeat my profound regret that the
name OF President Hindenburg, our
World War comrade and unforgettable
| field marshal OF our armies, has been
abused to such an extent merely for
the preservation of vanishing regime.
Respectfully yours,