Evening star., 1936-03-31
The Hitler 'sLandslide.o

Once again the expected has happened
in Germany. The nationwide referen-
dunn engineered by Hitler to vindicate his
violation of the Locarno treaty and re-
militarization of the Rhineland had the
anticipated results virtually unanimous
Endorsement Of those policies. OF the
$4,000, ,000-od ballots cast on Sunday, 90
per cent, or roundly 44,550 900. accord
ing to the latest official claims, were
marked with an affirmative cross in the
circle opposite Hitler's name. On the
remaining 100000 ballots, more or less,
electors either wrote mo" or otherwise
rendered their votes invalid. Whatever
the final count is determined to be. the
Fuehrer, on the face of returns has won
an unparalleled victory. 1t betters by
almost ten per cent the vote of 1884,
when he received the countryS approval
for consolidating the Offices of President
and chancellor under the title of Fuehrer,
the ballot Of 1888, when Hitler appealed
for vindication of his bolt from the
League of Nations and the Disarmament
Conference.
AS an election in the sense of public
expression, as that term is understood
in other countries, the Hitler landslide
is an utterly groteSque and meaning
less proceeding, carried out not only
with frenzied propaganda methods, but
through resort to dictatorial pressure.
Under the circumstances, the wonder is
not that nearly 100 per cent of the voting
population did their masters bidding.
but that even one per cent of them
mustered the courage to register a pro-
test by nullifying their ballots. The
identities of these traitors" are doubt
less no secret. They cannot expect long
to escape the penalty.
With an overwhelming vote of conf
dence" for freedom, peace and honor"
now achieved, the Fuehrer will proceed
to deal with the Locarno powers as the
spokesman OF Germany overwhelmingly
behind any program, however defiant,
that he may choose to advance. Hitler
said he would at once submit positive
proposals" He is under a campaign
pledge not to retreat an inch respecting
the Rhineland, yet if he expects favor
able consideration of his program for a
revised European peace basis, he must
give way at some point. No matter how
indisputably he has imposed his will at
the German polls, Hitler cannot ride
roughshod over the united susceptibilities
of Great Britain, France, Italy and Bel
gium, or the rest of Europe, which shares
their fears of Nazi plans.
The Fuehrer promised forthwith to
renew his offer Of 25-year non-aggres-
sion pacts. There are suggestions that,
as a symbolic gesture" he might agree
not to construct major Notifications in
the Rhineland or increase the present
forces there during the period of negotia-
tions. Such concessions fall far short
of the conditions demanded Of him. II,
intoxicated with new sense OF omnip-
otency as the consequence of his dictated
election" the Fuehrer declines to yield
further, the Rhineland crisis will resume
a perilous and incalculable phase, as far
as peace is concerned. Germany's notori-
ously shaky internal conditions, widely
believed to be the impelling motive for
the present adventure, are likely to serve
as a brake on any reckless Nazi action
that would automatically bring Europe
to the brink Of war.