Of no particular note, the German Press upon the election of Roosevelt
Roosevelt Hailed by German Press
Berlin Expects Debt Settlement and More Liberal Tariff Under New Regime
Dictatorship is Forseen
Centrist Newspaper Stresses that United States No Longer is Better Off Than Debtors
President Roosevelt’s inauguration fills the German press with hope for greater activity of the United States in foreign affairs, although it is realized the situation of the banks will monopolize the new President’s efforts for some time.
Germany expects two things from the new President, settlement of the war-debts problem, which German business men and economists contend has been barring the way for world business recovery, and , secondly, a more liberal tariff policy.
The Frankfurter Zeitung says today: “In his dealings with foreign countries President Roosevelt probably will endeavor to observe a more urbane and less distant attitude than one has been accustomed to find in Washington. In transacting business he will be more adaptable but will be hardly able to show himself more yielding than his predecessor, even if Congress follows him in a lessening of resistance. He will be too much bound to anonymous currents of public opinion.”
The Boresen-Courier says: “America is ripe for a dictator, and it is possible for Roosevelt to become this dictator if in his first attempt he succeeds in drafting a comprehensive economic program and presents it effectively and convincingly to Congress.”
The Boersen-Courier believes Mr. Roosevelt’s policy will incline toward progressive ideas.
The Koelnische Zeitung applies to President Roosevelt what was said to Martin Luther when he went to Worms to be questioned by the Emperor: “You are going on a grave errand.”
Germania, the leading Centrist newpaper, says: “The new man is confronted with enormously difficult tasks. Saying, ‘America, you are better off’ does not hold true any longer. Governing America today is no fun, even if it is considered the American Parliament has eliminated itself in wise restraint.”
The government papers are especially hearty in their welcome to the new President. The Kreuzzeitung says:
“Germany greets Roosevelt as a representative American. The nation with respect and sympathy hopes that the friendly relations between both States will be further promoted by his administration.”
The Lokalangzeiger says:
“Germany greets Roosevelt and the American people in the heartiest way. Although Germany’s attention these days is conentrated on domestic matters, she wants to take the opportunity of President Roosevelt’s inaugruration to emphasie that she hopes for fiendship with the new President and the American people under his leadership.”
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Coverage as reported in the New York Times, and I didn’t record it when, for whatever reason I stuck it in the backfile here (for the past few years), but it would have had to have been upon election, as Hitler came to power with the Reichstag Fire on February 27 and that would have pretty well consolidated all opinion coming out of German press for his inauguration in March… to what I guess was a much sought after Dictatorship. Well, that feeling was in the air at the time.
How does this pertain to the next administration? Roughly, nothing. The one thing one would advise for Obama is to “manage expectations”, which would allow him to ride out the problem that the Germania put out about how “saying America will be better off is no longer acceptable. Governing America is no fun anywmore.” No “Mission Accomplished”.