Evening star., 1921-08-29
Three Killed When Troops
Fire on Workmen in Pots
dam Demonstration.
MUST DECIDE ON CALLING
OF SESSION OF RElCHSTAG
Nationalists Expected to Launch
Attack on Treaty Made With
q, S. If It Convenes.
By the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
BERLIN, August 29.-Political con-
ditions in Germany, which during the
past few days have assumed grave
aspect, were considered by the cabi-
net today. President Ebert presided
over the session, which was called on
Saturday in such a way as to show
that the ministry was concerned over
the situation. The assassination of
Matthias Erzberger last Friday has
appeared to have set a match to the
piled up combustibles, which have
been smoldering for some time, and
the cabinet is believed to find itself
in a 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
suppression of the activities and mach
nations Of the pan-Germans. This
party has been unusually active OF
late. holding battle anniversaries.
"steel helmet athletic meets. front
troop reunions and other affairs at
which Field Marshal Won Hindenburg,
Gen. Ludendorff and other military
leaders have been present. These
taken on the character of anti-repub-
lican manifestations.
Must Decide ON Session.
The government must decide in the
next few days whether it will call
the reichstag into session before Sep
tember 81, the date fixed for that body
to meet. There is disposition on
the part of Chancellor Wirth not to
take this action, because of his desire
American
peace treaty before that pact is rati-
fled by the United States Senate. The
government would be unable to pre-
vent such debate, in view of the over
ed by the murder of Herr Erzberger.
1t is a foregone conclusion that the
nationalists. if the reichstag should
convene. would promptly attack the
government because of it's acceptance
of paragraph 231 of the treaty, by
cepted responsibility for the war.
Ratification of the treaty is believed
to be certain in the reichstag through
the votes of the three coalition
which command 217 out OF the 469
votes in the reichstag. This number.
however, would not include the
twenty-one votes controlled by the
Bavarian peoples party. which noml-
nally is allied to the clericals.
Attitude Not Determ1neQs
Chancellor Wirth also has not as yet
determined the final attitude OF the
German peoples party when the treaty
will come up in the reichstag. During
conversations with the chancellor and
Foreign Minister Rosen, leaders OF this
party promised not to oppose the treaty,
but the death of Herr Erzberger is be-
Ieved to have given the entire SITUATION
a new complexion.
Although the Wirth cabinet may count
OF a vote of confidence if 1t should De
necessary, it realizes the present hour
activity, in view of the partisan acer-
bities, which have reached the white
heat stage in the last three days: 1t Is
feared that the political feeling. II per-
mitted to spend its fury IN open session
of the reichstag, would promptly con-
vert that body into a veritable cockpit.
Press Fight Raging.
In the meantime the fight over the
tragic death of Herr Erzberger is being
waged with increasing venom in party
organs. The clerical newspaper, Ger.
mania, supposed to be paragon OF
Deutsche Tages Zeitung for libel be-
cause it included that newspaper. the
organ of the pan-Germans and the
agrarians, among the syndicate OF ma
tionalist murderers.
Policical observers believe it is not
unlikely that Chancellor Wirth, in order
to save his cabinet, may make shift to
the left for the purpose of winning the
support of the Independent socialists,
thus securing more ample foundation
for his minority ministry and offsetting
the possible detection of the German
peoples party. This organization.
under the leadership of Gustav Strese-
man, has already sharply resented
charges by the radicals that 1t was
Jointly responsible with the nationalists
Tor the assassination of Herr Erzberger.
The government is about to undergo a
decisive test in the reichstag in connec-
tion with the forthcoming tax legisla- :
tion and other measures and it's work Is
being vastly increased by the feeling
aroused over the Erzberger episode.