Word: hindenburgs
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Dates: during 1920-1929
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...plethora of comment inflated the receptive pages of journals, hebdomadals and mensals to show whether or not the election of Generalfeldmarschall Paul von Hindenburg to the German Presidency meant "this," meant "that." A consensus of more reliable opinion averred that the Field Marshal's election was an omen of good import, that it meant the beginning of a rule of law and order with no immediate, though probably a later (one writer mentioned ten years) restoration of the monarchy, that it presaged a fuller return of foreign confidence and a resumption by Germany of her place in the comity...
...decided that the Field Marshal's inauguration should take place on May 12. The President-elect appointed his only son, Major Oscar von Hindenburg, as his personal adjutant, and it was reported, but not confirmed, that he had asked Dr. Meissner, President Ebert's secretary, to remain in office. The aged soldier let it be known that he was opposed to any form of military pomp at his inauguration and that he would swear allegiance to the Constitution in civilian dress. He was, moreover, reported to have overruled his advisers by stating decisively that he would receive...
...regain his old popularity until (when Lloyd George's slogan of "Hang the Kaiser" was still being seriously regarded) he offered to place himself at the disposal of the Allies to stand trial in place of the ex-Emperor. All Germany resounded with his praise. Whenever Hindenburg appeared in public, he was the centre of a friendly demonstration and, on his birthdays, sausages, sauerkraut and beer found their way in vast quantities to his Hanover home...
Today, President Field Marshal von Hindenburg is the figurehead of the German Reich (the last word, still retained, means Empire), wielding power comparable to but less extensive than that of the French President. He has sworn to uphold the Constitution, and, after hearing of his election, said: "The people must not imagine I shall let myself be steered by any party." But he will be the symbol of Monarchy and as such can be counted upon with certainty on rallying still more Germans to the cause of Monarchism. The first blow has been struck for the return of the Monarchy...
Reports in the foreign press that the election of Hindenburg means a sudden change of policy were largely hostile propaganda. The best political brains of Germany are behind the Monarchist cause. The present Government is predominantly Monarchist. They can, taking stock of the actual situation, be relied upon to work the Experts' ( Dawes) Plan, conclude the Five Power Pact, if France will let them, which recognized the cession of Alsace and Lorraine (TIME, Mar. 16) and generally follow the policy adopted by Republican Germany: for to do otherwise would assuredly spell disaster to Germany...