Hindenburg + Iron Cross + Stresemann

Most German cabinets since the Reich became a Republic have been "minority governments," squeaking along with unstable majorities in the Reichstag, seldom strong enough to be resolute except while the country was facing some long-drawn-out crisis in which party differences could be sunk and enemies could unite.

On such a crisis the cabinet of that ineffectual Socialist, Pudgy Herman Mueller lived for 21 months until last week. The saving crisis was the Young Plan of reparations. When it passed the Reichstag, when the crisis was over (TIME, March 24), the cabinet became a house of cards. "Poof!" went all the cabinet ministers last week. "Poof!" they voluntarily resigned. "Poof!" they gave the excuse of not being able to agree on the budget bill. "Poof!" fell the house of cards.

No poofer is Paul von Hindenburg, majestic old President. He likes things solid. In the political shuffle of last week, he wanted to deal straight and well. Towering more than ever in German hearts since the death of STRESEMANN, it was HINDENBURG who virtually picked the new Prime Minister, of course after the formality of calling politicians to "advise" him.

In soldier fashion the President picked an admirable but not outstanding personage, Dr. Heinrich Bruning, bachelor, scholar, onetime machine gunner (Iron Cross and wounds), who just three months ago forged up from a quite dim obscurity in the Catholic Centre Party to become its leader.

Soon the preliminary list of the "Hindenburg Cabinet" was ready. A middle-of-the-Reichstag list, it looked like 183 Centre votes. On left and right the Communists, Socialists and National Socialists would be able if they combined (and these extremes of fire and ice have combined in German politics more than once) to outflank the cabinet with an encircling 218 votes and defeat it when Dr. Bruning faces the Reichstag.

Only two facts made the "Hindenburg Cabinet" more than a house of cards: 1) The enormous psychological power of the name HINDENBURG, enough to paralyze many an opponent; 2) The wise retention of Dr. Julius Curtius (handpicked successor to STRESEMANN as Foreign Minister. With these two names' and a reputation, for integrity, Heinrich ("Iron Cross") Bruning prepared to face the Reichstag.

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