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Military critics have been inclined to give credit to General von Ludendorff for the Tannenberg victory. Be that as it may, Hindenburg got public credit for the victories; his immense wooden statue in War-time Berlin was veritably the fulcrum post of German patriotism and his popularity dwarfed all the leaders of Germany.
At the end of the War, when Royal feet were running and the great soldiers were subject to public execration, Hindenburg stood firm. He placed himself at the disposal of the Provisional Republican Government and led the defeated German Army home to its dis bandment, remaining in active command until July 3, 1919. For this, he earned the gratitude of the Government and the people and the admiration of the Allies.
But it would be a mistake to think that the Field Marshal was as popular as he had been. He did not regain his old popularity until (when Lloyd George's slogan of "Hang the Kaiser" was still being seriously regarded) he offered to place himself at the disposal of the Allies to stand trial in place of the ex-Emperor. All Germany resounded with his praise. Whenever Hindenburg appeared in public, he was the centre of a friendly demonstration and, on his birthdays, sausages, sauerkraut and beer found their way in vast quantities to his Hanover home.
Today, President Field Marshal von Hindenburg is the figurehead of the German Reich (the last word, still retained, means Empire), wielding power comparable to but less extensive than that of the French President. He has sworn to uphold the Constitution, and, after hearing of his election, said: "The people must not imagine I shall let myself be steered by any party." But he will be the symbol of Monarchy and as such can be counted upon with certainty on rallying still more Germans to the cause of Monarchism. The first blow has been struck for the return of the Monarchy.
Reports in the foreign press that the election of Hindenburg means a sudden change of policy were largely hostile propaganda. The best political brains of Germany are behind the Monarchist cause. The present Government is predominantly Monarchist. They can, taking stock of the actual situation, be relied upon to work the Experts' ( Dawes) Plan, conclude the Five Power Pact, if France will let them, which recognized the cession of Alsace and Lorraine (TIME, Mar. 16) and generally follow the policy adopted by Republican Germany: for to do otherwise would assuredly spell disaster to Germany.