Evening star., 1932-03-13
Europe Anxiously Awaits
TOday's German Election
BY A. G. GARDNER.

LONDON. March 12.-The center Of
the European drama has shifted from
Geneva to Germany, where, on Sunday.
President Paul Won Hindenburg fights
his last battle for the soul of the
fatherland. The spectacle Of this in
domitable old man taking the field in
the most critical conflict in the his
tory of his country has struck the
imagination of all Europe and, in Eng
land and France especially. the result
is awaited with deepest anxiety.
1t is realized that the fate Of Won
Hindenburg involves not merely the
fate of Germany but the fate Of Eu-
rope also. Should Adolf Hitler win,
the effect on the coming French cleo
tions will be disastrous. Present In
dications point to the probability Of
a swing to the left in France and the
adoption of more reasonable attitude
toward Germany, upon which the sue
cesSful issue of the coming reparations
conference depends.
All well-instructed observers agree
that the chauvrnistic Paris press does
not represent, i'm its present mood,
expressed in the enlightened attitude Of
La Depeche de Toulouse (the Toulouse
Dispatch). but the defeat Of Won Hin
denburg inevitably would create a re-
dictionary tide at the polls.
Fortunately, such a result Is regarded
as improbable. though the prevailing
impression Is that Won Hindenburg will
not achieve victory on the first ballot.
He is the target of the extremists on
both sides and his unbending loyalty
to the constitution and Endorsement Of
the Young plan have lost him the sup
port of the Steel Helmets, who want
a return of the monarchy, and so put
Theodore Duesterberg in the field
against him. The detection is not Sc
rious in point of numbers, being esti-
mated under 100000, but probably is
sufficient to prevent Won Hindenburg
from securing the clear majority nee
essary for election on the first ballot.
X X
At the other extreme, Ernst Thael-
mann, the Communist, is expected to
poll under 100000 votes. The only
serious challenge comes from Hitler,
whose voluble and inf1ammatory per-
Sonality appeals to a widespread feel
ing that conditions are so desperate
that any change would be a change for
the better. It Is admitted that his
policy of violent reputation of the Yer
Sailles treaty has captured the support
OF peasants, land owners, ex-soldiers
and officials, who largely gave Won
Hindenburg his victory seven years ago
On the other hand, while deserted
by his former allies, Won Hindenburg
has consolidated new army Of politi-
cal supporters. Catholics, Jews, So
ciallStS and trade unionists. who. though
their ideals are alien to his cwn. stand
Tor the constitution and against violent
disruption within the republic and con-
1icE without.
Experts basing their calculations on
the most recent indications. such as the
election Of the HeSSe Parliament. fore
cast $1,000. 600 votes for Won Hinden-
burg and l2.ooo.o00 for Hitler This
would involve q second ballot. in which
a plurality would be suficient and the
election Of Won Hindenburg practically
assured. thoush il Is conceivable that
the Communists might cast their sec
end vote FOR Hitler. whom they hate
most, ln order 20 bring about a clash
between revolutionary factions.
But the election Of Won Hindenburg
on the hrSt ballot Is not impossible.
ENs1enesS are visible that the high
water marx Of eNtremism has been
reached and that the tide is receding.
Won HtndsneDry's broadcast on Thurs
CAV vseated \ profound impression by
It's naked honesty and patriotism and
confidence that the good
SenSe OF Germany viii settle the issue
ea Sunday outright That result Is
desired here. for Il is recog-
al1e1 tAa, Hitler's triumph and the fan
q Chancellor Bruening would shatter
the hopes Of the Disarmament Confer
estes, produce civil war in Germany and
plunge Europe into deeper chaos.
IcopyTtght. IsS2l - G