THE GORDIAN KNOT

Herr Hitler's chauvinistic campaign speech at Berlin Saturday may well draw the attention of the world from Oriental distractions to the German elections. Tactfully explaining that Germany must not return President von Hindenburg because of those whom Hindenburg represents, Hitler definitely announced his own candidacy. Hitler is making his march on Rome, and this is a crisis in his career which may end his aspirations.

If one of Hitler's henchmen were the candidate, a defeat would not be fatal to the Nazi party. But with the leader himself standing for election, a failure at the polls could ruin the prestige of Hitler and dissolve his following into its original elements. The Nationalists may withdraw under their leader Hugenberg, and it is conceivable that many of the Nazis will return to their old loves, the Communist and Socialist parties.

May victory not prove equally fatal to Hitler? He has as yet no such strong support as Mussolini won. He has been troubled with revolts in his ranks, notably that of Dr. Goebbels, who published his own political program and was cast into outer darkness. His bigoted platform, which calls for expulsion of the Jews, revenge on France, territorial acquisition in Russia, and suppression of Socialism, will be put into effect only by a strong dictatorship. A dictatorship, with the militant opposition certain in Germany, spells revolution. But if Hitler pursues a conservative policy his shaky party may dissolve, and he will fall. The only hope of the Nazis is to discover a strong and skillful policy which will avert the destruction which threatens to destroy them.