Germany:
Berlin: President
Paul von Hindenburg signs the Young Plan bills passed yesterday by the Reichstag. Among other things, they commit Germany to World
War debt payments until 1988. After the
morning signing ceremony, Hindenburg issues the following proclamation. “With a heavy but firm heart and after
thorough and conscientious examination, I affixed my name to the Young
Plan. After hearing the advocates and
opponents of the plan, I have reached the conclusion that, despite the heavy
burden which the plan puts on the German people for long years, despite the
strong criticism of some of its terms, compared to the Dawes Plan, the Young
Plan means progress on the long road of liberation and reconstruction of
Germany. I could not refuse to sign,
since such a refusal would bring immeasurable harm to German economics and
finances and would cause a great crisis to our fatherland. I am wholly convinced that the acceptance of
the Young Plan does not free us from all sorrows in the future, but I believe
it is the road that will bring us our long-desired freedom. I have received many letters asking me to
keep my name – the name of a former field marshal – from being darkened in
history through these documents. My
answer is: during my entire life I have served in the school of duty, and I
have learned to do my duty for the fatherland without consideration for my
person. Therefore any thoughts my person
had was abandoned in this decision, and I gave up the idea of relieving myself
of the responsibility by a plebiscite or resignation.”
Dresden: Communists
conduct a “hunger march,” which quickly leads to clashes with police. Armored cars are used to disperse the
demonstrators, and 125 people are arrested.
Elsewhere:
Madrid: One thousand
unemployed people march peacefully, with banners announcing simply: “We want
work.”
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