The forms of the constitution are to be observed. New
Reichstag elections are to be held within the prescribed period, but their result matters little to anyone, except perhaps to Herr Hitler, whose prestige will be seriously damaged if he polls fewer votes than he did in July. That may quite probably happen, for the brief Reichstag episode did not add to the Nazis' laurels and their sudden lapse into constitutionalism may lose them old supporters without making them new ones. Despite all appearances there is an underlying stability in Germany that will, in all likelihood, enable the President and the von Papen Cabinet to carry on a dictatorial administration without grave trouble. But with a President of eighty-five the chances of mortality become a serious factor. A Presi- dential election to-morrow would almost certainly put Hitler in command.
