The daily worker., 1933-02-21
First Part
By MAX BEDACHT

By MAX BEDACHT
WHEN Hitler was called to form
w new German government the
world seemed surprised. The social
democratic world and the world of
big capital feigned surprise; with
other parts of the world the sur
prise was more genuine. The social
democrats had to feign surprise
because they had promised that
their support of Hindenburg would
be an infallible guarantee against
Hitler When Hindenburg turned
out to be mere synonym for
Hitler, the social democrats had to
play innocent.
Those who were genuinely sur
prised were only the really naive
who readily accept even miserably
painted "Potemkin villages" for
realities. These naives cling to pre-
conceived notions even when all
facts proclaim loudly that there is
'no such animal" Some of these
notions we hear in the discussions
Of the present German situation,
especially in the following beliefs:
/. That Hindenburg is a grand
old man." Staunch, a solid rock,
unmoved by the raving sea of con-
f1icting political interests around
him;
2. That Official Germany is op-
posed to faScism; and
g. That, therefore, Hitlerism
would never get power except by
achieving it through a parliament
tary majority or through march
on Berlin.
EXPLANATIONS"
OF BOSS PRESS
Capitalist correspondents are
whining and squirIning in an effort
to get out from under the need
of explaining events without injury
to the notions they have created
and they are paid to maintain.
Thus a recent New York Times
report tries to explain how the
"immovable rock of democracy"
Hindenburg, could no longer ac-
quiesce in Bruening's rule without
a parliamentary majority; that
explains the dismissal of Bruening.
Then Hindenburg appointed Won
Papen; but Won Papen had not
only the majority but also the mi
nority Of parliament against him.
Thus we get a picture of a Hinden-
burg whose heart was breaking be-
cause Of Bruening's -parlia-
mentary government and who tried
to heal his heartache by appoint
ing an anti-parliamentary govern
ment.
Erklaeret mir, Graf Orindur,
Diesen ZwiespaIt de Natur.
To explain this contradiction it is
evidently necessary to sacrifice
some notions. But the sacrifice Of
notions hurts the pure, innocent
souls Of the petty bourgeois phil
istineS; correct explanation would
also pierce some illusions which
capitalism needs for its further
existence. That is why social DEM
ocracy tries to explain the contra
diction TO the naive philistines with
naive philistine arguments. The
Berlin "Vorwaerts" of January 23
declared that Hindenblrg is still
the saint he was when the social
lists selected him. But "dishonor-
able elements want to mislead the
venerable president, that honor
able man." Simple. Hindenburg
Is still a saint; the social demo-
Gratis, who canonized him, are still
infallible. But imponderable forces
are at work, they mislead the
saint.
That OF course does not explain
anything. 1t only re-states the
problem; but the problem still
requires explaining.
THIS is not the only incongruity
i Of the present situation when
viewed through the glasses Of the
beloved notions. Here is another
one: Today Hitler is chancellor and
Won Papen is his assistant. Only
q few months ago, when Won
Papen was chancellor, Hitler's
paper, "Angriff," of September 6,
wrote about the Won Papen gov
ernment, "We cleaned away the
dirt (Bruening) ana then, doIIed
up staggering, slightly tipsy and
as noble cavaliers, they (the Won
Papen goyernment entered the
good German home ., e, Is there
anything more indecent than such
political legacy sneaking? Is it
posslbEe to imagine anything goya