The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-07-21
THE INDIANAPOLIS TIMES
Liberal Viewpoint
BY DR.. HARRY ELMER BARNES

Editors Note-This is the third of four
articles by Harry Elmer Barnes. Phi d. on
the causes, course and immediate results of
the uprising in Germany.
TN my last column 1 made it clear that the
l. discomfort with Hitler's rule was just about
as diversified and extensive as his conglomera-
ton of followers. But the practical opposition
simmered down to two major groupS-the con-
servatives and the progressives within what
originally had been the unified Hitler circle.
Hitler's conservative critics desired economic
reaction and stability. Some felt that this
could be achieved only through the restoration
of monarchy, while others were quite contented
to see Hitler himself retain power, provided ne
would turn definitely to the right.
The radical Nazis wished to see Hitler make
good his promises to advance the well-being OF
the German masses urban and rural. Ihey
stood for the carrying out OF the SoclaASClc
phases of the National Socialistic government.
Some conservatives who wished to supplant
Hitler by military dictatorship followed pre-
sumably by restoration Of monarchy. Ihey
were led by the ex-chancellor, General hurt
Won Schlecher Some radical Nazls were WILL
ing to dispense with Hitler, if necessary to gam
their ends.
THESE were led by Captain Ernst Roehm, a
i warm personal friend of Hitler, and COM
mander -in-chief of the Nazi Storm Troops. The
conservatives who wished to achleVe REFORM
without an open revolt were guided by Vice
Chancellor Franz Won Papen, while the non
revolutionary Naz radicals found their CHIEF
protagonist in Propaganda Minister Joseph
Goebbels.
Neither Won Papen nor Goebbels seems to
have taken part in the plot to supplant Hitler,
but they certainly desired change OF Na2l
policy. Won Papen wishing shift to the right
and Goebbels a leftWard turn.
Opce anOriSed of the DlOt bV his very ettCl-
ent secret police, Hitler moved with great speed
and ruthlessness-as BELTS dictator He
mopped up both sides thoroughly.
General Won Schleicher, the conservative
leader, and Captain Roehm chief plotter among
the radical Nazi, were both sunmarily executed.
Even conservative Catholic reaction against Hit
Ter was warned through the execution of Erich
Klausener one Of the leaders of the Catholic
Action Society
NTHILE it seems to be the general opinion
w that Hitler is swinging to the right since
his purging of the Nazi by the firing squad, GER
tainly he showed no eniency when confronted
with conservative plotters.
Today it seems that Hitler is pretty firmly in
the saddle. He is supported by his own body
guard by General Goerings Prussian police, by
the ReichSwer or the regular army, by the Stall
helm or organized war veterans, and by the
ma jority of the Storm Troops who still remained
loyal.
But Hitlers success in suppressing political
and military revolt has not in any way removed
the underlying economic difficulties which fed
the revolt in the beginning. AS the Nation we'll
summarizes this fact:
Behind him stands the unacceptable economic
situation which no amount of official falsifca-
ton can conceal; the moratorium on all debt
payments; the unbalanced budget; the paralyz-
ing drop in exports; the international boycott;
the exhaustion of the gold reserve the dis
appearance of the foreign currencies necessary
for the purchase of indispensable raw ma
tsrials; the steadily sinking standard of living
in the face of rising agricultural prices certain
to be enhanced by the alarming drought, and
finally the marked decrease in the national in
come