The German Elections The German situation is strangely paradoxical. A
General Election takes place on Sunday, but the campaign, submerged as it has been by the general internal unrest, has made little stir at home and less abroad, and the result of the polling will in all likelihood leave the situation substantially what it is. Germany is being governed by the President and the Cabinet, repre- sented at the moment by 11C1T von Papen. After Sunday it may be governed by the President and the Cabinet, represented by General von Schleicher, for it is doubtful whether the present Chancellor will long survive. His conflict with the Prussian Government, whose right to retain office has been in part vindicated by the Supreme Court, has broadened out into a conflict with Bavaria, alarmed with some reason at the threatened encroachment of the Reich on the prerogatives of the States. Consti- tutional reform is part of von Papen's programme, and it will make him more enemies than friends. His position will depend largely on whether a workable coalition can be constructed by his opponents in the new Reichstag. It seems to be a foregone conclusion that the Hitlerites will come back weaker. That may dispose them' either to join forces with von Papen, securing secondary Ministerial offices as reward, or (as in August) to co- operate with the Centre and demand the right to form a Government on the basis of a Parliamentary majority. But they may once more demand in vain.
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