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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 02 September 2013
The recent presidential elections in Germany aroused world-wide interest in spite of the strictly limited constitutional powers of the president. For the first time the German voters were privileged to select the chief executive of the state. The question whether they would turn to some one in sympathy with the pre-war regime or would select an adherent of the Weimar republican constitution was one the answer to which might have important bearings on European politics. Moreover, the personalities of the candidates, especially in the second election, were such as to add to the interest which both Germany's friends and foes felt in the outcome.
1 The first president, Frederich Ebert, who died February 28, was chosen by the Weimar Constituent Assembly in 1919.
2 According to the German Constitution the president is elected for a full term of seven years. There is no vice president; hence in case of the death of the president an election is ordered at once. In the meanwhile the Chancellor acts as President.
3 Frankfurter Zeitung, March 3, 4–7; Vossische Zeitung, March 3. In the issue of March 6 the Democratic leader, Anton Erkelenz has an article in favor of a temporary president.
4 Frankfurter Zeitung, March 10, 11.
5 Frankfurter Zeitung, March 4; Rote Fahne, March 3.
6 Frankfurter Zeitung, March 3; Vossische Zeitung, March 3.
7 See editorial by Bernhard in Vossische Zeitung, March 3.
8 Frankfurter Zeitung, March 8, 9, 10.
9 Germania, March 8; Frankfurter Zeitung, March 8, 9.
10 Frankfurter Zeitung, March 13.
11 Vossische Zeitung, March 11; Frankfurter Zeitung, March 8 and 9.
12 On March 8 Germania said, “Perhaps we would have no objection to Stegerwald's candidacy if the party itself should decide upon it, but it is impossible to allow the parties of the right to dictate to us our party's policy.”
13 Frankfurter Zeitung, March 10; Vossische Zeitung, March 10.
14 Ibid. The Republican organization known as Schwartz-Rot-Gold made repeated efforts to bring the Social Democrats, Democrats, and Centrists together in support of a republican candidate. See Vossische Zeitung, March 11.
15 See Frankfurter Zeitung, March 12 and 13; Vossische Zeitung, March 13.
16 Preussische Kreuz-Zeitung, March 18.
17 See article by Count Westarp in Preussische Kreuz-Zeitung, March 15. Also the party call of the People's party, Die Zeit, March 18.
18 Preussische Kreuz-Zeitung, March 15; Der Tag, March 15; Die Zeit, March 15; Deutsche Allgemeine Zeitung, March 17. For critical comments on the Reichsblock see Frankfurter Zeitung, March 15; Vorwärts, March 15.
19 In his speech of March 18 in Berlin Dr. Jarres denied that he represented any particular party or economic interest and said that he would live up to the oath of office required by the Weimar constitution. He admitted, however, that he did not consider the existing constitution ideal, and that many of its provisions needed amendment, an opinion which as reported in the Kreuz-Zeitung, March 19, was followed by “Stürmischer Beifall und Händeklatschen”. He also stated that, while the colors of the existing republic demanded respect, the old colors, Black, White, Red, should be honored as the symbol of past achievements. This address was scathingly criticised by Vorwärts, March 19 under the caption, “Jarres reveals himself.” See also Frankfurter Zeitung, March 18, 20, 21; Vorwärts, March 28, 29.
20 Vorwärts, March 19; Frankfurter Zeitung, March 24.
21 Der Tag, March 21, 22, and 23; Die Zeit, March 19, 20; Deutsche Allgemeine Zeitung, March 24.
22 Der Tag, March 23, 24, 26.
23 Vorwärts, March 15, 17, 18.
24 March 26.
25 See Preussische Kreuz-Zeitung, March 28.
26 Die Zeit, March 31.
27 Political Science Review, May, 1925, p. 368.
28 Vossische Zeitung, March 31.
29 Germania, March 31.
30 Vossische Zeitung, March 31.
31 Braun was elected head of the Prussian government by the narrow majority of four votes in the Landtag, Vorwärts, April 3.
32 Vossische Zeitung, April 4; Germania, April 4.
33 Die Zeit, March 24.
34 Die Zeit, April 2, 3, 4, 6.
35 Die Zeit, April 8, Preussische Kreuz-Zeitung, April 9.
36 Die Zeit, April 7, 8.
37 Preussische Kreuz-Zeitung, April 9; Der Tag, April 9; Deutsche Allgemeine Zeitung, April 9, 10.
38 March 9.
39 April 9.
40 April 10.
41 Speech of Marx in Königsberg, Germania, April 15; and in Stettin, Ibid., April 16.
42 Deutsche Allgemeine Zeitung, April 15.
43 Germania, April 15.
44 Deutsche Allgemeine Zeitung, April 15.
45 Germania, April 22; Vossische Zeitung, April 25.
46 Germania, April 18.
47 Die Zeit, May 5.
48 Der Tag, April 27, considered Hinderburg's election a victory of the black-white-red Germany over the black-red-gold symbol of the republic and revolution, a victory of political reason, of purity in public life, and of the glorious traditions of Germany.
49 Vossische Zeitung, May 13; Berliner Tageblatt, May 13.
50 Ibid. Vorwärts, however, declared, “The President who was elected by monarchists, spoke yesterday as a republican, the president who was elected by the Nationalists spoke as a pacifist ‥‥ After the election the victor declares himself in favor of all the principles approved by his opponents. Das ist der Januskopf, mit dem die Aera Hindenburg in Erschieinung tritt.” May 13.
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