New-York tribune., 1919-06-23
financial burdens imposed upon the
German people"

German people"
Herr Bauer continued:
"The distress of the land and Of the
people has brought us together. We
could not refuse cooperation unless
we desired to run the risk of leaving
Germany prey to chaotic state, with
cut government and hopeless of sal
vation. You will believe me when
say we are not here to stand for the
interests of our own party, and still
less to satisfy our ambitions.
Act Declared a Duty
ave are here from the sense of
duty to save that which is salvable."
Having expressed regret for the ac-
tion of the Democrats Herr Bauer
formally presented the new ministers
and announced that the Cabinets
general programme would remain
identical to that of the Scheidemann
Ministry. Coming to the question of
signing the treaty or not, Herr Bauer
said:
"The imperial government only too
we'll understands that it faces the en-
emy's terms. Exalted indignation car
ries away individuals and the commu-
nifty and tries to find vent, but if on
assuming my heavy Office | may make
request it is this: Do not allow the
question of acceptance or rejection to
become a party matter. Do not mis-
judge the advocates of rejection as
Chauvinists, pursuing selfish aims, or
the advocates of acceptance under dire
necessity as towards or weaklings, void
of the national sense of justice
"On both sides are weighty reasons
which no responsible man can overlook
A decision must be taken. The time
for reflection is past The hour for ac-
ton has arrived, and in it each of you
bears a responsibility.
'The imperial government is con-
scious that despite all manifestations
of confidence it can in the eyes of the
nation and history only have one real
justification, namely, to ruthlessly
make a decision after the examination
of the facts and a responsibility with
out an eye on party feelings"
(Sections missing.)
"Yield to Force" His Plea
Declaring that-by signing the treaty
under reserve the government yielded
to force in order to spare suffering
Germany from new war and dsrup-
tion of national unity by further occu-
patton, starvation for the women and
children and an unmerciful longer re-
tention of German prisoners, Herr
Bauer continued:
but the government expects, in
view of the stupendous burden thus
assumed, that all military and civilian
prisoners will be returned without in
terruption beginning July /. At this
solemn moment the government de-
sires to express itself with absolute
clearness in order to meet beforehand
any possible reproaches that the coAr
ditions imposed exceed Germany's
power to perform, end we therefore
decline all responsibility for the con-
sequences that may befall Germany
should her utmost endeavors prove the
conditions impossible of fulflment"
Bauer Thanks Scheidemann
When the Assembly opened at noon
all the members of the new Cabinet
were present. Herr Bauer, in announc-
ing the formation of his ministry.
heartily thanked the members of the
retiring Cabinet, especially Philip
Scheidemann, for their devoted and
self-sacrificing labors. He added also
that these thanks were due to the mem
bers Of the German peace delegation.
The Premier said the resignation of
the Scheidemann Cabinet was due to
lack of a united front with regard to
the draft of the peace terms, on which
the Cabinet views were sharply divided.
These dissensions went right through
the ranks of the government parties.
ITO every one of us who belonged to
the former government" said Herr
Baner. "it was bitter and hard fight
between indignation and cool reffec
tion. 1t was exceedingly hard for US
to take the decision to join new gov
ernment, whose most urgent duty must
be to conclude q peace of iniustice