News of the Week
THE international problem created by Germany's formal invitation to France to discuss the arma ments equality question frankly is dealt with on a later page. Meanwhile the internal situation in Germany develops. The Stahlhelm demonstration on Sunday had its monarchist aspect and it was obviously meant to indicate that the Government had battalions behind it in case of need as well as Herr Hitler, but as -a display of popular support for von Papen's administration it meant nothing. Herr von Papen, nevertheless, is clearly strengthening his position. The Reichstag is to meet on Monday, but in the knowledge that if it does nothing it will stultify itself and if it does anything (except support the Government) it will be dissolved. The projected coalition between the Nazis and the Centre is hanging fire, and even if a working agreement could be fixed up all the signs are that the President would still pin his faith to von Papen. The reception given to the new economy scheme, and the minor Stock Exchange boom it has precipitated, have gone some way to put the Papen- Schleicher combination firmly on its feet, though on Wednesday a marked reaction was visible.
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