German Election Prospects As the date of the German election,
fixed for the first Sunday in November, approaches, the situation becomes increasingly complex. In one respect, it is true, the air is cleared. The Chancellor has declared categorically that no idea of a monarchical restoration is in the Govern. ment's mind at present. But the alignments of parties is as confused as ever. Some drift from Derr Hitler's banner seems certain, and the Government Party, which consisted after the last election of 37 Nationalists, will no doubt increase, but not enough to make any difference, and the prospect is of a further period of government by Presidential decree. But even the indispensable Article 48 of the Constitution -has its limits, as the verdict given by the Supreme -Court at Leipzig on Tuesday in the-litigation between the late government of Prussia and the Reich demonstrates. Herr von Papen considered himself quali- fied to expel the Prussian Ministers in a 1364 from their offices and put in a Commissioner of the Reich to take charge. The Court has ruled that while this may be done legally during a temporary emergency, the Ministers are still Ministers, and can act as such in the Prussian Diet and the Federal Reichsrat and for other purposes. Apart from the constitutional confusion thus created the ruling damages the Government's prestige—and proves incidentally that the Courts in Germany are still independent.
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