Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1919-06-21
GERMANY,S CRISIS

Inc scarcity ana ne contradictory nature of news
dispatches. arriving from wehmar and Berlin indicate
that. the German republic is passing through its final
crisis prior to the signing or the rejection Of the peace
treaty. Exactly what has happened is not clear at the
time of this writing, and events seem to be moving SC
rapidly that the situation as it EXISTS today,may be rad
ically changed tomorrow.
First we learn that the sch%eidemann government,
has collapsed; then we are told that this information is
premature, and finally that while the, cabinet actually
has resigned, it will remain at it's post until President
Ebert nnds it possible to appoint successors to the minis
ters. Having been told of these developments we are not
surprised, although considerably skeptical, to be told
that the national assembly at weimar has accepted the
peace terms. AS though all this were not enough, Gustav
Noske is mentioned quite emphatically as the successor
to scheidenann, and Matthias Erzberger, chairman OF
the armistice commission, as the new head of the peace
delegation instead of Foreign Minister v. Brockdorn.
Rantzau. 50. = @i%s"
AL this is interesting, but it cannot all be Due. and
to venture a guess at the actual truth would, at this dis
lance, be futile. It may be said, however. that Scheide-
mann's opposition to the acceptance Of the peace treaty
long has been Interpreted as an indication Of the early
collapse OF his government. 50 it is very likely that II
has fallen and that the report leaked out before it was
ripe for publication-hence the use of the word "prema,
ture' in this connection.
1t is quite reasonable to assume that the peace ne.
l8ouauons nave been the primary stumbling block in th<
|path Of the Revolutionary government, but there are asc
interior causes Of i formidable character, and in this re.
spect it is Of interest to recall that the Majority Social
lists who are holding a national convention in Weimal
have passed no less than 23S resolutions more or less
bitterly denouncing the government for its inability and
unWtllingness to bring about an immediate nailleniutu
Noske who has been the sworn enemy Of Bolshevisn
from the very beginning of the republican regime, ha.
been severely scored by. the Majority Socialists, but il
appears from some reports that he has been able to si
lence some Of bis opponents by an eloquent, plea that the
interests Of the nation are above partisan strife and dis:
harmony. He has been the strong man in the new Ger
many and although his principles dictate opposition te
the peace terms, it is possible that he will find It ex.
pedient to ally himself with those men and factions who
demand that Germany sign the treaty without delay. A
large number of level-headed Germans realize that THU
is the only salvation for the country, and no matter wha,
may happen before next Monday evening, it seems more
and more probable That this view will he the one pre-.
Walking in the end. With Noske at the head of the gov.
eminent, the outlook fora revolutionary rising imme.
dtately after the acceptance of the peace treaty becomes
less menacing.