New-York tribune., 1918-12-14
Germany the Most
Democratic Nation,
Eisner Forecasts
Premier ''Createst of ALL
Say Friends; SSKdealist and
Dreamer Aver Enemies,
Who Seek Overthrow


Who Seek Overthrow
MUNICH, Dec. IL (By The Associated
Press) .-"If democracy spreads to all
classes, as | believe probable, Germany
will become the most democratic coun
try in the world" said Kurt Eisner, the
Bavarian Premier in concluding an in
formal call the correspondent made to-
day. as he heard his wife's insistent
voice outside the door reminding him
that it was time to go to the theatre.
The Bavarian leader is an idealst.
His opponents say so and Eisner him
self probably would be the only person
in the world to deny the allegation. His
friends call him "the greatest man in
Germany" but his enemies, who ap
clare that he is IAN impractical and
dreaming idealist"
IL don't want to be statesman y
he declared, 81 want to tell the truth
believe in the power Of humanity. l
believe the people are in a mood to be
freed from the past"
Attacked by Press
Premier Eisncr at present is being
attacked by o portion of the Bavarian
press. The attacks are both veiled and
unveiled He received the correspond
ent twice to-day, first in that sec
tion of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
where he makes his home and later in
his office.
The Socialist leader of Bavaria ap-
pears almost incongruous in his Office
amid the surroundings Of the former
royal regime.
Eisner is short and stochy. The fore
part of his head is almost bald, but
shock of lron-gray hair hangs far be-
low his collar in the rear. He has huge
red whiskers, slightly shot with gray.
HIS height is not above the average
lie dresses simply.
Mrs. Eisner is the constant COM
panion of nar husband, being with him
at all hours of the day. She is small
IN stature and looks tiny beside him.
she seems out of place as, in a plain
gown, she fits about the huge building
with paintings of former kings and
diplomats in gorgeous uniforms staring
from the high walls.
Wife Works With Him
Premier Eisner received the corre-
spondent the first time while he lounged
ungracefully on couch which groaned
under his weight. His wife sat along
side and interjected suggestions here
and there. The Premier explained that
he was tired because he had been ~ up
nearly all night attending to urgent
business.
The Premier explained that his loss
of sleep was due to the fact that mob
had stormed the office of the "Bavarian
Courier" RE explained that the attack
on the newspaper office was all mis-
take. The employees of the paper had
been told that they would be per-
mitted to own the paper, and news of
this caused the crowd to congregate.
The employees finally decided to inves-
tlgate and ascertain whether the paper
was free of debt before they reached a
decision.
The correspondent told the Premier
that many persons were calling him a
dreaming idealist." The Premier
laughingly admitted that such might be
the case, but added that he thought he
was "a wide-awake one"
Some Favor Occupation
"There are bourgeoisie and CAPITALIST
classes here in Bavaria who would sup
port Bolshevism," he began rapidly.
There are certain people in Bavaria
who would welcome Allied occupation,
knowing that it would be temporary
after it had overturned the present
government. Another class would well
come Allied occupation because they
were afraid the Bolsheviki might come
and feared the present regime any
way"
Unrest, the Premier continued, would
manifest itself occasionally. The people
of Bavaria were peace-loving and quiet,
but had been stirred up by suspicious
elements. The Bavarians were unani-
mously in favor of deliberate course
rather than a policy of force He COM
planned of the press campaign against
HIM and criticised the newspapers for
"their wild outcry against the En-
tente," adding:
'We have no grounds to fear the Al
lies, but there is no defence against
such brainless talk
Premier Eisner said he particularly
blamed the newspapers of the powerful
Centre party "for raving without ma
teflal for all attack"
Counter Revolution Unlikely
A counter revolution in Bavaria, the
Premier added, was improbable. 1t
might be prepared in roundabout way
through unrest, but he believed ther
was good protection against it. Bava-
ria was country of contradictions, and
it was not easy to democratize the seed
left from the ruins of the German En-
pire. The Premier explained that his
opposition to the definite naming of an
election day for members of Parliam ent
was because he believed the women
could not readily be able to vote intel
ligently. He gave in finally, he added,
because he was a Socialist and had al
ways favored woman suffrage.
Premier Eisner declared he believed
fully that the entire world would some
day be completely democratized When
asked if he thought that this belief
was not nroof that he was an idealst,
he replied:
"No. There might be delay in Ger
many and elsewhere, but nothing can
long prevent the sprouting of demo
cratic ideals"