Evening star., 1919-02-08
,KAUTSKY NAMED
ASSEMBLY HEAD
German National Body Con-
Siders Formation of New
Cabinet.
EBERT SPEECH BITTER
By the Associated Press.

" a.-t$dEl
sky, under-secretary of state for for
eign affairs in the Ebert cabinet. was
today elected president of the Ger
man national assembly by vote of
374 out of 399 cast by the assembly
The composition of the cabinet ap
pears to be the principal problem
commanding the attention of the new
German lawmakers. The original
proposition was to form a ministry. of
fifteen members, seven of whom
should be majority socialists. four
Centrists and four democrats. The
Irajority socialists, however, now are
understood to be contending that they
should be certain to have a majority
which the Independents socialists can
not disturb by any political maneu-
yer. Participation of the centrists
in the formation of the cabinet was
assured by the action taken at their
meeting yesterday in which they de-
cided to work with the new govern
ment
The new ministers probably will
bear the title of imperial minister"
instead of state secretary. Several
of them will be without portfolio,
even lnOuSn auQlIlCudl pe
created, The finance ministry will be
divided into two departments, one for
special technical details and to deal
with loans, and the other to the de-
partment of the imperial treasury, for
the administration of socialiZed public
works. It is possible that a labor
ministry will be created. A denlob-
iIization ministry and an economic
ministry are. believed to be certain OF
formation. in addition to the reforma-
of he JnI rraa dan art
ment
Although the subject of the consti-
tuition was on today's program, it was
believed that it would be impossible
to reach it before tomorrow
Impressive Opening.
WIENER, Thursday, February 6
Cby the Associated Press).-The
opening of the national assembly
this afternoon was impressive for its
solemnity. earnestness and simplicity
Chancellor Ebert's opening speech
the delivery of which occupied a half
hour was frequently INTERRUPTED.
Nearly three hundred of the mem
bers of the assembly are new. includ-
ing twenty-eight women of all ages
scattered about the house The worn-
en- were the distinct curiosities of the
afternoon and the only mirthful event
at the opening of the session was a
hesitancy followed by a shrill excited
yes" of acquiescence as the first
woman's name was called. The second
woman on the list had not expected
to hear her name and showed evident
embarrassment as it was almost
shouted out.
Independents Heckle Ebert.
Herr Ebert received only a brief
ovation on his entry. He found him
self so heckled by Independent So
cialists that he was forced in the
middle of his speech to turn upon
them with the declaration that their
disorder showed how little evil times
had taught them.
Need. the chancellor continued, de-
Gyered Germany to her enemies but
Germany's enemies for thirty, forty
or sixty years
Ebert Deplores Armistice Terms.
The speaker next took up the ar
mistice terms and branded them as
unheard of and ruthless. The whole
house was with him when he pro-
tested against the expulsion of Ger
mans from Alsace and the sequestra-
ton of property.
The assembly broke into shouts of
indignation as the chancellor referred
to the 100000 prisoners of war still
held in captivity. All this, he said,
reconciliation.
I'VE warn our opponents not to
drive us to the uttermos." he de-
clared. Hunger is preferable to dis
grace and deep privation is to be pre-
ferred to dishonor."
Confidence in President Wilson.
The Germans. he said, laid down
their arms with confidence in Presi-
dent Wilson, and the present free gov
ernment OF Germany believe it is only
its right to enter the league of ma
tions and work with real energy.
Herr Ebert was cheered when he
brought up the proposed union of
Germany and Austria. Following a
strong appeal for German unity, the
chancellor declared that the provis-
1onal government had been the execu-
-. 81 n kor