Hindenburg's Quill

A broad goose quill is the favorite writing implement of Paul von Hindenburg, President of the German Republic. Last week he wielded it for the second time in a twelvemonth to enforce national political unity.

The first intervention by Presidential epistle (TIME, Feb. 7, 1927) was that which caused the Nationalists (disciples of Hindenburg) to enter and make possible the formation of the present majority coalition cabinet of Chancellor Dr. Wilhelm Marx. Previously the Nationalists had refused to enter any cabinet, since to do so would be to pocket their Monarchist leanings and definitely acknowledge the validity of the Republic. In one year much has changed. Today, the Nationalists chiefly desire to retain and exploit their position in the cabinet. But the cabinet shakes with conflict of other parties within the coalition. Therefore, again the goose quill.

This time Paul von Hindenburg sent to Wilhelm Marx a letter virtually demanding that the Chancellor's party (Catholic Centrists) compose its differences over the so-called "school bill" with the People's Party, potent faction of Foreign Minister Gustav Stresemann. These two parties--Catholic, Popular--comprise the main support of the coalition cabinet. They are quarreling over legislation designed to abolish Catholic instruction in the public schools.

Pro and adamant is the People's Party. Anti and adamant have been the Catholic Centrists, who have taken the position that since Parliamentary elections are due this year, in any event, the Chancellor may as well precipitate at once a crisis which would permit immediate submission of the school matter to the voters by a general election.

While Chancellor Marx pondered the goose quill's command, last week, enemies of Paul von Hindenburg raised a feeble cry that it is "unconstitutional" for him to throw his immense influence into the political scale. They carpingly pointed out that, although the new presidential epistle stresses the need of postponing a general election until the budget and other, bills can be rushed through, the "real" concern of President Hindenburg may lie ill delaying as long as possible that shift to the political left which is generally prognosticated as the result of the coming election.

"To the left!" is a cry almost as unwelcome in the ears of Hindenburg as "To the Reds!"