The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-08-08
Liberal Viewpoint
BY DR.. HARRY ELMER BARNES -

TN my column yesterday made it clear that
i Hndenburg offers the finest example in his
tory Of man who devoted a whole lifetime TO
preparation for possible episode in an imagi-
nary career-the defense Of East Prussia against
the Russians
! When war was declared the Germans, sweep
ing through the west toward Paris we're stunned
! By the Unexpectedly rapid mobilization and ad-
vance Of the great Russian armies Within less
! than three weeks after war was declared the
Slavic hosts were overrunning Prussia and en-
dangering Berlin and the war.
Won Hindenburg had volunteered to resume
his commission when war was declared. He
was turned down arrogantly. The preparations
! of forty wears seemed to come to naught. The
Russian menace demanded, however, desperate
measures Of defense at once. In one Of the few
brilliant strokes in those days when the German
high command was characterized by that stu
pidity and vacillation which lost the war for
Germany Won Hindenburg was called from re-
tirernent and placed in command Of the armies
| Of defense in East Prussia.
Would the results Of intense concentration
and conscientious study tell against the over
whelming numbers and exuberant confidence Of
the advancing Russian hordes? The answer
| came speedily.
Won Hindenburg took command on Aug. %.
Nine days later great Russian army had been
annihilated, its general killed and 10000 prison.
ers taken A second Cannae had been achieved
the most brilliant and sweeping triumph since
Austerlitz.
TURNING next against the other Russian
il army under General Rennenkampf Won
Hindenburg routed it, captured 10000 more pris-
oners and sent the remainder in headlong flight
back into Russia, Rennenkampf having aban-
doned his troops and broken all speed records
in retreat by motor car.
The next summer Won Hindenburg, in an
equally impressive but less spectacular cam
he Of nd
captured Warsaw. In about year he had taken
100000 prisoners four times the size Of Napo-
Icons grand army and all but put Russia out
of the war so far as any threat to Germany was
concerned. Her only later successes were won
against the Weak-sister, Austria.
An obscure and Flooding army officer, liter
ally unknown to the German populace when war
was declared, became the idol of the nation over
night. The kaiser showered honors on him, he
was promoted to the highest rank, and the
people erected a great wooden statue to him in
Berlin studded with iron nails.
But the stupidity of Won Moltke and Won
Bulow in the early days of the war in the west
had cost Germany certain victory before snow
fall. 1914. and Won Hindenburg's never was able
to overcome that handicap and bring final tri-
umph to the fatherland. But he had per-
formed the task to which he had devoted his
life with a dispatch and deciSivenesS unprece-
denied in military history
| 1T was inevitable that IN the Crisis aICer the
i Rhur invasion the Hero of Tannenberg'
would be summoned to serve his country He
! was elected president in 1925, much to the con-
| sternaton of peoples in allied countries who
| looked for a restoration of monarchy and the
| outbreak of a European war.
! But Hndenburg proved a fine exempliflca-
| ton Of the spirit of Deutschland uber allies"
| correctly ranslated-"devotion to Germany be-
! fore all else" He had fought in three wars
| to unite and preserve the German empire and
he remained true to the country rather than
succumbing to personal ambition or his personal
| devotion to his eXiled emperor.
The most perfect symbol of the old Ger
many, he became loyal servant of the New
Germany. His dignity, devotion and courage
have proved the only force able to preserve
Germany from disorganization and national
| idiocy for nearly a decade. He passed away
deservedly enjoying the veneration and respect
of the world to a degree probably unmatched by
any other postwar figure.
1t is too early to predict the ultimate re-
suits of Won Hindenburgs death, but it is evil
dent that the German balance-wheel tenn
porarily is removed and that the Hitler-Thyssen
merger of plutocrats and patrioteers will have
freer sailing along Inc route to destruction.