Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-08-29
Berlin CHIEFS SEE
STORM GATHERING
Treaty and Tax Difficulties
Complicated by Killing
OF Erzberger
WlRTH MAY SHIFT TO LEFT
BY the Associated Press


Berlin. Aug. 29.--Political conditions
In Germany. which during the last few
doys have assumed grave aspect, were
considered by the Cabinet today.
President Ebert presided over the
session. which was called on Saturday
ia such Il way as to show that the Min
,stry was concerned over the situation
The assassination Of Matthias Erzbcrger
last Friday has appeared to have set
match TO the piled-up combustibIes.
which have been smoldering for some
time. The Cabinet is believed to tiud
itself In serious prediCament
One of the features of the situation
which is troubling the Government is
the attitude of organized labor, sup
ported by the Socialist and Communist
parties, in demanding the definite sup
preston of the activities aud machira-
tions of the Pan Germans.
steel Helmet" Rallies
The latter party has been Usually
active Of late, holding battle Annivcr
saries. steel helmet" athletic meets
and other affairs at which Field Mar
shal Won Hiudenburg. General Luden-
dorff aud other military leaders have
been present. These functions have
been, for the most part. nti-republi-
can manifestations.
1 ne 'rONtTuMbnl must ueClue IN llt
next few day whether il will call the
Reichstag into session before Septem-
Der %. the date fixed for that body 70
meet. There is a disposition on the
part Of Chancellor Wirth not to take
this action, because Of his desire to
avoid debate upon the American peace
treaty before that pact is ratified by
the United States Senate. The Govern.
ment would be unable TO prevent such
AhaN ,,, a. H., I, t.l
litical atmosphere engendered by the
murder of Erzberger.
1t is foregone conclusion that the
Nationalists. II the Rcichstag should
convene, would promptly attack the
Government because of its acceptance
Of paragraph No. 231 Of the treaty, by
which Germany and her allies accepted
responsibility for the war.
Treaty Ratification Assured
Ratification Of the treaty is believed
certain in the Reichstag through the
. votes of the three coalition parties and
the Independent Socialists, which com
mand pr out of the 489 votes.
Although the Wtrth Cabinet may
count on a vote of confidence, If nee
essary, it realizes the present hour is
hardly opportune for parliamentary ac-
tivity. 1t is feared that the political
feeling, IL permitted 70 spend its fGrv
In open session OF the Rcichstag, would
promptly convert that body into q ver-
table cockpit
In the meantime the fight over the
tragic death Of Erzberger is being
waged with increasing venom in party
organs. The Clerical newspaper Ger
mania. supposed to be a paragon Of
journalistic ethics. is being sued By
the Deutsche Tages Zeitung for libel
because it included that newspaper. the
organ of the Pan-Germans and the
Agrarians, among the "syndicate of
Nationalist murderers."
wirth May Shift to Left
Political observers believe Chanccl-
Tor Wirth. in order to save his Cab!-
net, may shift TO the Left for the pur-
pose Of winning the support of the In.
dependent Socialists, thus securing
hlore ample foundation for his min
ority Ministry and cffsettiug the pos
sible detection of the German PEOPLES |
Party.
The Government is about to undergo |
decisive test in the ReiChstag in con-
nection with the forthcoming tax leg
islation and other measures. and its |
work is being vastly increased by the
feeling aroused over the Erzbergor cpl |
sode.
Special Cable Dispatch. COPYRIGHT. 1921
Berlin, Aug 29.-"Who is next" |
is the question being asked by all OF
Germany following the assassination OF |
Matthias Erzberger at Gricsbach, on !
Saturday. Nervousness is prevailing |
throughout the country and fear is ex-
pressed that other leaders may fall |
victims to assaSsns' bullets.
Comment in the radical, Democratic. |
Socialist and Clerical press is extreme
ly bitter, certain papers holding the |
reactionary nationalist press as direct |
ly responsible for the crime The Ger
mania, leading organ Of the Catholic |
party, of which ErZberger was the most |
prominent member, in an editorial COM
menting on the assassination, SAYS the .
dead leader was the victim of national
ist agitation.