The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-02-08
EBERT AGAIN WARNS
ENTENTE TO RELAX
Hunger Preferable to Dis
honor" He Tells Assembly
at First Meeting.
HECKLED BY RADICALS
Sessions at Weimar Started in
Theatre-Woman Delegate
Causes Laugh.

f.
Under Secretary OF state for Foreign
Anairs In the Ebert Cabinet. was elected
President of the German National AS
sembiy to-day by a vote OF 37a ont OF
800 cast by the Assembly.
wsrMAR, Feb. 8 (delayed) The OPEN
ing of the National Assembly this az
ternoon was impressive for It's solemnity'
earncstress and simplicity. Chancellor
Eberts opening speech. the delivery OF
which occupied a half hour. was ire
auently interrupted. The Court Theatre
was thronged long before the appointed
time The Berlin policemen assigned
10 weimar kept the huge crowd out
side from interfering with the arrival
OF delegates and others entitled to at
tend.
It was q democratic looking crowd.
we'll, though plainly dressed, that
shuiied its way through the slush and
snow OF Weimar's streets to the theatre
for every one walked, save one carriage
and one automobile party.
Following a brief review OF an infan-
try honor company every one sought the
| interior Of the theatre, which was bril-.
| lisntIy lighted and transformed into a
| creditable imitation OF a legislative hall
, The orchestra chairs had been shifted
| to writing desks. while the entire first
and second balconies, holding the press
| representatives, had been SO altered that
| each newspaper man had small bit OF
| table.
| The stage had been changed by the
| addition OF platform on which the
future President will sit In an enormous
high backed chair. faced with leather in
which the German eagle is emblazoned.
| II is the old Reichstag Presidential chair
| and with the accompanying four seats on
| the platform and a semicircular line of
| chairs at the rear of the stage is almost
the only reminder OF the former Reichs-
tag. since nearly three hundred Of the
members OF the Assembly are new. In
Guiding twenty-eight women OF all ages.
| Women Excite Curiosity.
The women were the distinct curiosity
of the afternoon and the only ni!rthful
event at the opening Of the session was
a hesitancy followed by a shrill. excited
! yes" OF acquiescence as the first
| womans name was called. The second
woman on the list had not expected to
hear her name and showed evident en-
| barra ssment as X was almost shouted
out.
The theatre. especially the tribune of
the President and the Government
benches. was fairly buried in red pink
| and white carnations. The rear por-
tons Of the first and second balconies
and the gallery were thronged with
privileged visitors. including neutral
diplomats in Germany who had arrived
from Berlin on "Wednesday.
During the Chancellors speech mem.
bers OF the Government, from the state
Secretary TO their secretaries, stood
grouped about the speakers tribune
just in advance and below The Fresi-
dents seat on the stage. Up TO the
opening OF the session photographers
swarmed in the theatre.
Herr Ebert received only a prie.
ovation on his entry.
The old order in Germany has gone
beyond recall and the people are now
determined to rule themselves, he de-
clared in calling the Assembly to order
We will call on the old German spirit
Of Welmsr," he said. I'VE will be at
empire Of justice and truth"
In opening he addressed the Assem-
blaEe as Ladies and Gentlemen u
form of address never before heard in d
German legislative body.
The Chancellor found himself 81
heekled by Independent Socialists tha'
ne Was forred IN the middle OF his speech
10 turn Gpon them with the declaration
that their disorder showed how little ev
times had taught them.
He spoke loudly, slowly and distinctly
his voice carrying to the remotest part:
Of the theatre. The Chancellors voice
shook with emotion as he touched upor
points he deemed essential, then boomec
high above the descendant shouts OF thu
lndepe ndents when they tried 10 inter
rupt and drown him out