The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1920-03-13

having SuCCeeueQ ET1QC0 Ma41Hlildu
Of Baden, who was instrumental in
negotiating the armistice. He at once
assumed command and succeeded in
Quelling revolutionary outbreaks. The
red flag was hoisted over the Bran
denburg Gate and the royal palace
after wild scenes in Berlin where the
people shouted Long Live the Re-
public!" and sang the Marseillaise.
Ordered Peoples Government.
"The new government will be a
government of the people," Chancellor
Ebert said. 1T must make every
effort to secure in the quickest pos
sible time peace for the German peo-
pie and consolidate the liberty they
have won. The new government has
taken charge of the administration to
preserve the German people from
civil war and famine and to accom-
plish their legitimate claims to au-
tonomy."
The Independent Socialists, includ-
ing radical element favorable to Bo-
shevism and known as Spartacides,
complicated Ebert's problem. When
Re became chancellor many Of these
radicals including Karl Liebknecht
and Rosa Luxembourg, were freed from
prison, and the two mentioned were
subsequently assassinated.
The National assembly which elect
ed Ebert was formed for the purpose
of adopting a constitution. It's docu-
ment which was approved last August
2 provided that "the executive power
lies with the people," The power of
the upper chamber Of the Reichstag
was limited similar to the British
House of Lords. There were special
protection for labor and generally
accepted rules Of international law
were incorporated in the new instru.
ment. Ebert took the oath CT office
on August % and two days later the
National assembly ceased to exist, 1t
being superseded by the new Reichs-
tag.
Noske Was Dictator
Philip Scheidemann was the first
premier of Germany under Ebert
Gustav Noske, formerly minister OF
rehabilitation and before that gov
ernor of Kiel, was named the first
minister of army and navy. BY rea
son Of his drastic enforcement of new
regulations he became known as a
dictator.
The Ebert government underwear,
many changes by reason Of political
| economic and popular demands.
The first real crisis to threaten the
Ebert regime, however, arose over
the question Of accepting the peace
treaty terms. Ebert, Scheidemanr
and other leaders were opposed tc
yielding to the Entente demands
Scheidemann resigned and a pro
treaty cabinet including Dr. Angus
Mueller and ex-Labor Secretary
Bauer, former socialist member of the
Reichstag, was organized. Bauer II
speech at Weimar before the nat
ional assembly denounced the treaty
in strong terms but announced the
governments decision to sign.
Claims Law and Order
For weeks before the revolution
broke out in Berlin there was a steady
run on German banks. Ebert, the1
chancellor, had conference in Der
lin on November %, 1918, with q
delegates from various parts of Ger
many, said: Everything was in ruiz
when we took charge. Now, however
a Socialistic republic has replaced the
monarchy and power has been put IL
the hands Of the workmen and sol
diers".
Meanwhile the provisional govern
ment naQ Deen IN an almost cOnStan
state of flux. Ministers came ant
went. Owing to scarcity of food
clothing and fuel, conditions in man,
parts of Germany were reported des
perate and there were many rumor!
that soviet government would super
cede the Ebert regime.
| President Ebert had the backing O
the moderates of Germany almos
from the beginning One reason TO
this was that when he succeeded
Prince Macmillan he announced tina
property rights would be respected
| that no banks would be seized ant
! that the government would uphold tn,
German war losses and pay all claims
on the state.
The president in a new year mani
festo, said that 1920 would decid
whether Germany would maintain her
self as a nation. A week later he wa
threatened by a mob in Stuttgart. Oh
the preceding December - the Eber
cabinets fall was reported as likel,
as a result of the allied demands ove
the Scapa Flow sinkings.