New-York tribune., 1919-06-21
Won Ber'nstorU
To Sign, Is Ruz,,or

PARIS, June 20.-An unconfrmed re-
port received here from the army in
telligence bureau at Coblenz says
Count Won Bernstorff, former German
Ambassador to the United States, has
been named as Minister of Foreign Af-
fairs in the new German Cabinet, and
that he will come to Versailles to sign
the peace treaty.
The latest reports received over the
military wire from Weimar indicate
that at 8 o'clock this evening (Friday)
Germany is still in the throes Of a
reconstruction of the administration in
an endeavor to get government thai
is capable of signing the peace treaty.
1t is expected in Paris that an ex-
tension of time will be asked by the
Germans if they are unable to agree
in the tir-< accorded in the reply to
the counter proposals. A member Of
the American delegation said short
extension of time might be granted
under this contingency.
Personnel Still in Doubt
The American representatives accept
as fact only the retirement of Philip
Scheidemann, the German Chancellor,
from his position. They are still in
doubt regarding the possible makeup
of the new government. A Noske-Erz-
berger combination is still most promi-
nently mentioned, but the names of the
Socialists. DR. Mueller and DR.. Edouard
David, also have been referred to as
possibilities for the Chancellorship in
dispatch received late this afternoon.
The "Temps" publishes a Berlin dis
patch announcing that the Independent
Socialists have issued a proclamation
asking the government to sign the peace
treaty in its present form. The proc
lamation warns the government of the
serious consequences which its refusal
to sign might precipitate.
The "Temps" also understands that
Matthias Erzberger, if he takes power
in Germany, will ask two notifications
the toning down of the clause concern
ing responsibility for the war, so as to
spare German susceptibilities, and the
second abandonment of prosecution of
the former Emperor.
The downfall of the Scheidemann
government was first made known to
the American delegation to the peace
conference. 1t is believed to assure the
signing Of the peace treaty by Ger
many, as Philip Scheidemann, the
Premier, was understood to be the chief
opponent to acceptance of the revised
peace terms.
The early report stated that Gustav
Noske, the Minister of Defence, was
forming a Cabinet to succeed the out
going government. Previous advices
had indicated that four members of the
Scheidemann Cabinet were insisting
upon the signing Of the treaty, and it
is presumed here that this caused the
fall of the Ministry. Up to noon there
was no official confirmation of the re-
port that Herr Noske was forming a
government.
Ebert to Fall With Cabinet
1t is understood here that the fall
of the Scheidemann government entails
the fall also of President Ebert. The
National Assembly will probably take
measures to select q successor to Herr
Ebert
French official information on the
German situation is to the same gen
eral effect as that received by the
American delegation, namely, that the
lapsed. The French advices carry the
isa favorable to the signing of the
treaty. .s.
|. A Havas dispatch from Basel to-day
7 carried the same announcement of the
resignation of the German Cabinet as
that received from other sources. 1t
was added that the ministry would con-
tinue to direct affairs until President
Ebert had formed new government
The resigning Cabinet, the dispatch
stated, persisted in looking upon the
peace treaty as impossible of execu-
tion and insupportable."