Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1932-08-26
Hitler's Success Faces
Germany With Paradox
BY WILLIAM BIRD,

PARIS, August 25.-1n the view OF
observers here, Germany has reached
paradoxical situation. Only few
months ago the question was anxiously
asked whether Adolf Hitler would at
tempt to seize power by unconstitutional
means. Today it is realized that con-
Stitutional government cannot continue
in Germany without placing the power
in Hitler'S hands.
If President Paul Won Hindenburg and
Chancellor Franz Won Papen attempt to
govern without Hitler, they can do SO
only by arbitrary dictatorial methods.
Such dictatorship. however, is de-
clared to be in accordance with the
Weimar Constitution, which empowers
the cabinet to govern without Parlia-
ment's approval in case Of emergency.
Moreover, Won Papen's partisans say it
does not violate democratic principles,
since it is done by presidential author
ity and the President was elected by
clear majority of the voters-and thus
he has an equal standing, from dem
ocratic viewpoint, with Parliament it
/ self.
A rapid comparison of the German
situation today with that which existed
Immediately after the signing of the
treaty Of Versailles in 1919 shows that
enormous changes have taken place
and that still greater changes may be
expected in the next few years.
Germany at that time was broken
and disorganized. There was an in
tense reaction against militarism, a
liberal republican constitution was
! President. Today nearly half of Ger
many is marching behind Hitler, and
good share Of what is left is praying
| for the return of the HohenzollernS.
The President, elected by Socialist
votes, is the Kaisers favorite general.
The allied army of occupation, which
| was to hold the bridgeheads of the
Rhine for Is years, or until Germany
had fulfilled the peace conditions, has
been withdrawn.
x* **
After paying $4,000, 100000 of a
separations bill fixed at SO billions, Ger
many IS to pay about $500 900 more
and sponge Is to be passed over the
slate. France has received in repara-
| lions, over a period of IL years, about
twice the amount that was paid to
Germany in cash after the short war
OF 1870. France has spent in repairing
material damages caused by the fight
ing on French territory about twice as
much as she has received in indem-
| mites.
1t Is considered practically certain
tnaC before another year elapses there
VIII be profound modification of Ger
many's military status. The treaty al
| lows Germany 100000 professional SOL
| oilers, enlisted for IL years. 1t seems
likely that the period of enlistment will
be shortened to about two years. The
Importance of such a change is that it
would provide trained reserves.
Another likelihood is that Germany
Will regain, in the form of mandates
some of the colonies wrenched from her
by the allies, most of which now are in
British hands.
But by far the most sensational pos
SlbllltieS are in the direction of bound
airy changes in Europe. Germany wants
the Polish Corridor and wants to reunite
East Prussia and Danzig to the Reich
Germany wants the coal fields of Upper
Sllesla returned to her. On the western
frontier she wants the villages of Eupen
and Malmedy, now Belgian. restored.
| not to mention the Saar. Alsace-Lor-
ralne Is not openly claimed, but is
dreamed about.
1nere IS every reason to expect also
that the Anschluss, the annexation of
Austria to Germany, will be pushed
With increasing Vgor. France has op-
posed it. Italy alarmed at the thought
OF having Germany instead of harm
| less Austria for a northern neighbor,
! was the deciding factor in destroying
the customs union proposal, which was
| regarded as the prelude to a political
union. But Italy is now reported to be
veering around to the German view.
having received assurances that Ger
many will give undertakings to respect
the Tyrolian frontier
The so-called confidence pact. ;"
signed at Lausanne by England and
France and since adhered to by Ger
many, Italy and many smaller powers.
is believed by Germany, and feared by
France, to open the door to diplomatic
negotiations on all these points. Ger
| many had hoped to make the League of
Nations platform for the discussion
| of treaty revision. Baked in this, she
| will turn to the loosely worded conf
| dence pact.
(Copyright. 1922