The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-05-21

petent impartial observer after pro-
tracted visit to Germany.
Copyright. 1888. 81 United Press
GENEVA, May 2l-The situation
in Germany is pulling and full Of
paradoxes.
one mans guess seems as good
as anothers whether Hltlerism will
survive triumphantly or 90 down
under a wave Of popular discomfort
ana economic suffering
That is the opinion of a well-in-
formed diplomatic observer, recent
" returned from a protracted stay
III Berlin
The present situation IN Ger
many IS extremely hard to figure
out. he said today. When the
Eazls put on such a show as the
incredibly vast demonstration at
Tampelhof Airdcld on May day,
and taking into consideration both
Hitler'S personal popularity and the
strength Of his organization, you
would be willing to bet that nothing
short of an earthquake could ever
upset them
Then every once IN a while the
evidence OF the really miserable
economic situation piles up, the
complaining all over Germany be
comes louder and you can't see
anything ahead but trouble
Hitler Still Popular
The May day celebration was an
impressive demonstration Of the
hold Hitlerism has on the people.
More than 100000 people turned
out and they were loyal It was
interesting TO note. however, that
the applause for Hitler was rather
weak, compared with previous out
bursts. They clapped a bit at al
the old standbys Of exhortation that
they knew should be applauded, but
since there was nothing new, they
let 1t 60 at that
of course. the NaZiS are harm
ing Germanys economy. They are
spending heavily injuung trade by
their natiOalism and the distrust
they have aroused abroad, and try
ing to bluff the whole thing through
with their eternal propaganda.
Depending largely on the out
come of the debt transfer confer
ence. which still is IN session, i'm
ports still further drastiCally may
be reduced. 1t may be necessary N
order to protect the mark, but its
natural effect will be to hit even
harder the export trade which Ger
many needs for prosperity and re-
employment.
Wages on Decline
They are now investigating the
possibility of cutting wheat imports
by using potato flour for bread. but
so far there are no indications that
it will be successful. They are try
ing to build up domestic wool and
leather production.
Unemployment has gone down.
of course. even diScounting the
official figures to some extent. but
so have wages. In some large fac
tories where many have been re-
employed, the total pay roll is less
than a year ago. The chief trouble
with complement is that where
it affects industry. the factories
forced to take on more men are I'M
fit to bear the added burden and
that where it takes the form of pub
lie works, the unemployment can
not be permanent and is a great
strain on government finances.
The people in the street are get
ting in some good. ld-fashioned
gripping on conditions in general and
are doing it much more openly than
before, although they still swear by
Hitler. one thing holding discon-
tent in check at least among the
middle class. is the fear that the
collapse of the third reich might
mean something twice as bad. The
best they say they could hope for
would be that the ReichSWehr would
step in and set up a military dicta-
tOrShip.
Novelty Exports Decline
Not as an analogy, but as an
illustration. suppose persons in the
United States who express discon-
tent with the new deal were asked
By acquaintance. Well would you
prefer this or something worSe?'
THE German industrial situation.
particularly in Franconia, has
. brought forth increasing demands
by party radicals for total elimina-
ton Of Jews from the leadership
of industry and for increased So
cialzaion. Franconia, according to
reports. has been particularly hard
hit by the decline Of the novelty
trade with America.
Despite the bad situation. men
like Walter Dare. agriculture min
lister, tell the export people that
after the farmer and small retailer
have been relieved. I can't see any
reason why we shouldn't then give
you some help.
Then they are continually an
tagonizing the Catholics. who are a
powerful force. here and abroad
Used TO Taking Orders
0OdD4A- A4ON CN q Il A0ANISA4G1 -
apt TO Overestimate the seriousness
Of the present Set-up. The Germans
are so used to taking orders that
any one who can give them we'll IS
pretty sure TO last until some one
with a louder voice comes along.
Disarmament is a thing about
which every one knows something
ana no one anything definite. The
ReichSwehr is rather definitely over
strength and many storm troops
could be transferred rapidly into
workable troops. but proving il is
another thing
There probably are large reserves
OF supplies perhaps OF fighting
plane parts. which could be as
Sembled with reasonable speed in
case OF war. One story has It that
much OF the extra money voted for
the navy budget will go for replace
ment of guns IL the North sea and
Rqfffe gNocf Tafar,co forts tl,a GUNS