Evening star., 1934-08-05

During the last few days OF Hinden-
burg's illness. when the doctors in
formed the Fuehrer that all hope to
save the life was abandoned. the
presidents country residence at Neu-
deck was completely isolated from
the rest Of the world Nobody was
allowed to come near its gates which
we're carefully guarded by select
detachment of Hitler's special black
guards A few hours before Hinden-
burg died Hitler called on him and
spent about an hour in his residence.
What happened during this time,
when besides the three doctors only
Herr Meisner. Hindenburg's conf
Dental secretary. and his son Col.
Won Hindenburg we're preesnt. Why
was Won Papen, Hindenburg's closest
friend. prevented from visiting his
former commander-in-ch at his
death bed? These are questions
which nobody in Germany viii an
swer today.
Loyal to Monarchy.
Hindenburg was known to have kept
his allegiance to the monarchy
throughout his life. Even as Reich
president. he considered that he was
holding that high Office In trust for
his former monarch. He had sworn
that he would uphold the constitu-
ton and would have rather been killed
than not kept his oath. But. those
close to the old fleld-marshal knew
that he wanted the monarchy re-
stored after his death. and believe
that he urged the German people to
do so. The life size painting of
the Kaiser hung in a place of honor
In his study. And in his contacts
with the members of the Hohenzollern
dynasty, he behaved with that digni-
ned humility which marked In the
past the relations between army Of
ncers and the highest war lord.
Only three men are in the secret of
the late Presidents will, with Hinden-
ourgs son, who had done much to
convince his father of the necessity
OF bringing the lance corporal to
power; DR.. Meisner, who was given
an appointment in the Reichs cabinet.
few hours after Hindenburg's death.
ana Hitler himself.
Germany in New Crisis.
Hitler is without doubt a brave
man, unless the thirst for power has
blinded him. He has taken upon his
shoulders the greatest responsibility
any man has ever dared to take, un-
necessarily.
Germany Is going today through
an economic and political crisis, at
least SIS severe as after the World War
While still on the gold standard
the gold coUering OF the bank notes
issued by the ReichSbdnk does
not eTceed 2 per cent. The drought
has practically dnnihilated Ger
nlany's crops; the failure OF the
potato crop, the staple food OF the
poor German classes, has hit the
country more than anything else.
Ration cards for butter, fats, -four
and potatoes haze already been
issued. The government has to buy
potatoes from Holland and France,
but must pay cash, in foreign cur
Tency, because Germdny's credit is
no longer good.
The difficulties of obtaining foreign
currency are great since the tariff
walls and quotas prevent the sale of
Germany'S manufactured products
abroad, regardless of how cheap the
German manufacturers are willing to
sell them. What viii happen this
Winter, nobody can tell. Hunger
may drive even the weIl-disciplined
German people to rebellion.
Winter, that merciless general who
defeated Napoleon in Russia, despite
the Frenchman's military genius and
his admirable army, may defeat the
Reichsfuehrer, too. Germany's neigh
bors, and especially the French, are
banking ON that more than on any
thing else. A harsh Winter may save
Europe lot Of trouble.