Hindenburg’s election

The fortunes of war decided in favor of those in Berlin who declared that they were willing to conduct the election campaign with the “absolutely crudest’ methods.” They did what they promised. They have done everything possible along the lines of nastiness, vileness, lies, and slander.

Formerly, one termed the German people the people of philosophers and writers. We fear that in the future, if one judges the German people by the conduct of this election, the judgment will be: For the leader: a people of fanatics, of liars and hypocrites, for the led: a people of fools and idiots lacking all character.

Can Hindenburg be happy with a victory that resulted from the absolutely crudest methods?He himself said that at 78, he was too old for the office, and was also not suitable, since he had never concerned himself with political matters. Hindenburg was pressured into becoming a candidate through the absolutely crudest methods by those controlling him from behind the scenes; he probably would have been happy if he had not been elected. When, however, Hindenburg takes office in a few weeks, he will within the first few days realize that he is entirely incapable of mastering the job. If Hindenburg is an honest man, as his supporters claim, his honesty will compel him to give up an office which he is neither physically nor intellectually capable of filling.

That part of the German people that wants peace and economic growth can demand this step from Hindenburg; if he does not take it, the Reichstag must force him to do it, for a Reich President who cannot fulfill the duties of his office is surely against the constitution.