The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram., 1921-08-29
PARTY HATRED
is Disturbing
GERMAN PEACE
President Ebert Summons
Cabinet Socialists Bitter
Against Pan-German Dem
onstrations of Old Regime.
SITUATION IS INTENSE
CIV Associated Pressl

(By Associated Press)
BERLIN, Aug. 29-Political condi-
tions in Germany, which during the
past few days have assumed grave
aspect, were considered by the cab
met 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 situa-
ton.
The assassination of Matthias Erzber-
ger, last Friday, has appeared to have
set match to the piled up COM
busubles, which have been smoldering
for some time, and the cabinet is be-
lieved to find 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 Commun-
list parties, in demanding the definite
suppression of the activities of the
Pan-Germans.
Hold Public Meetings.
This party has been unusually active
of late, held battle anniversaries.
steel helmet reunions and other af-
fairs at which Marshal Won linden
burg, General Ludendorff and other
military leaders have been present
These functions have for the most part
taken on the character of anti-Repub-
lean manifestations
The government must decide in the
next few days whether ii will call the
reichstag this session, before Sept 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 to have
debate on the American peace treaty
| before that pact is ratified BY the
| United States senate.
| The government would be unable To
prevent such debate, in view of the
overheated political atmosphere en-
genderedl by the murder of Herr Err
berger.
Expect Criticism.
1t is foregone conclusion that the
lnatlonalists, if the Reichstag should
convene, would promptly attack the
government because of its acceptance
of para graph PSI of the treaty. by
Which Germany and her allies accepted
responsibility for the war
Ratification of the treaty is be-
lieved TO be certain in the reichstae
through the votes of the three coali.
ton parties and the Independent So
cialists, which command 277 out of
The 459 votes in the reichstag.
Exclude 81 Votes
| This number, however, would not
include the u votes controlled by the
Bavarian peoples party, which nom
inally is allied to the clericals. Chan
cellor Wirth also has not as yet de-
termlned the final attitude of the Ger
man peoples party when the treaty
will come up in the reichstag
During conversations with the chan
cellor and Foreign Minister Rosen.
leaders of this party promised not TO
oppose the treaty, but the death of
Herr Erzberger is believed to have
given the entire situation q new com
plexion.
Although the Wirth cabinet NAV
count on vote of confidence, il it
should be necessary, it realizes the
. present hour is hardly opportune for
parliamentary activity, in view OF the
partisan acerbities which have reach
ed the white heat stage in the last
= three days. 1t is feared that the DO
: litical feeling, if permitted to spend
t its fury in open session of the reich
stag, would promptly convert that
1 body into veritable cockpit.
2 Party Organs Bitter
81 In the meantime, the fight over the
f tragic death of Herr Erzberger is be-
r ing waged with increasing venom In
party organs. The clerical newspa per
r Germania, supposed to be a para gon
S of journalistic ethics, is being sued bv
0 the Deutsche Tages Zeitung for libel
t because it included that newspaper.
d the organ of the Pan-Germans and the
I agrarians. among the syndicate of
S nationalist murderers."
d Political observers believe il is not
r unlikely that Chancellor Wirth, In or.
S der to save his cabinet, may make a
shift to the left for the purpose of
winning the support of the Indepen-
h dent Socialists, thus securing a moro
e ample foundation for his minority min
/ istry and offsetting the possible de-
S Election OF the German Peoples party
n Resents Radical Charges.
S This organization, under the leader
e ship of Gustav Streasman, has already
II sharply resented charges by the radi-
calls that it was jointly responsible
with the Nationalists, for the assas-
\ sination of Herr Erzberger
The government is about to undergo
a decisive test in the reichstag in
4 connection with the forthcoming tax
1t legislation and other measures, ami
its work is being vastly increased by
ir the feeling aroused after the Erzber-
a ger episode.