GERMANY: Constitution Day

From February through August, 1919, some four hundred Germans met day after day, in the Theatre at Weimar, Thuringia. They, the National Assembly, dared not foregather in Berlin for fear of mob violence. Fear-spurred, they hastily elected Frederick Ebert first President of the Republic. Deliberate, prudent, they spent six months in evolving the Republican Constitution, consecrated the day of its formal promulgation as a national holiday to be celebrated pompfully each year.

Last week this “German Fourth of July” offered occasion for much singing of Deutschland Ueber Alles, many shouted “Hochs!” and a few sporadic Communist riots.

The “Hochs!” were shouted when old Paul von Beneckendorf und Hindenburg entered the onetime “Kaiser Box” in the German Reichstag and sat down with republican democracy in civilian attire. Attentive witnesses reported that the onetime Feldmarschal fidgeted inattentively as Chancellor Wilhelm Marx loquaciously conveyed to him “the good wishes of the Republic. . . .”

Rising, assumedly with relief, the Herr President strode to the onetime Königsplatz, recently re-christened Platz der Republik. There the Presidential Guard of Honor stood, ramrod-backed, eyes front. . . .

Inspection! The Herr President did not stroll past the guardsmen, chatting with one of his ministers as a “civilian” would have done. Stopping before each soldier he inspected his equipment with a swift kindling glance. Upon one soldier whose right boot was but indifferently polished the President bestowed a curt rebuke, greeted with a smile and handshake three of his favorite guardsmen whom he found impeccable.

His “celebration” over, the Herr President sought a dignified and modest beer hall. Caught as he munched a black slab of pumpernickle between foaming glasses, “Old Paul” said: “I shall start soon for Bavaria on my vacation.”