The Mena weekly star., 1921-09-01
LABOR ENBRO|LS
 GERMAN PARTIES
PolitiM Situation Growing Out of Erzbergcr's Murder Assumes Grave Aspect-Is to Ratify Peace
 Treaty.

Berlin, Aug. 29.-PoliticaI condi- tons in Germany which during the past few days have assumed a grave aspect, were considered by the cabi- net today. President Ebert presided over the session, which was called on Saturday in such way as to show that the ministry was concerned over the situation. The assassination of Matthias Erzberger last Friday has appeared to set match to the piled up combustibles, which have been smouldering 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 commun- ist parties, in demanding the definite suppression of the activities and ma chinations of the pan-Germans.
 Military Leaders Take Part
 This party has been unusually ac- tive of late, holding battle anniver- saries, "steel helmet" athletic meets, front troop reunions and other af- fairs at which Field Marshal Von Hin denburg, General Ludendorff and oth- CT military leaders have been present. These functions have, for the most part, taken on the character of anti republican manifestations.
 The government must decide with in the next few days whether it will call the Reichstag in session before December 27. the date fixed for that body to 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 the pact is rati- fled by the United State Senate. The government would be unable to pre- vent such debate, in view of the over heated political atmosphere engen- dered by the murder of Herr Erzberg- CT.
 Would Attack Government.
 It is 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 which Germany and her allies accept ed responsibility for the war.
 Ratification of the treaty is believ- ed to be certain in the Reichstag thru the votes of the three coalition parties and the independent socialists, which command PIT out of the 469 votes in the Reichstag. This number, how ever. would not include the 21 votes controlled by the Bavarian peoples party, which nominally is allied to the clericals.
 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 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 new com plexion.
 Fight Increases in Venom.
 Aitho the Wirth cabinet may count on avote of confidence if it should be necessary, it realizes the present hour is hardly opportune for parliamentary activity in view of the partisan activi- tie which have reached the white heat stage in the last three days. It is feared that the political feeling, if permitted to spend it's fury in open session of the Reichstag, would promptly convert that body into 8 veritable cockpit.
 In the meantime. the fight over the tragic death of Herr Erzberger is be- ing waged with increasing venom in party organs. The clerical newspa- per Germania, supposed to be para gon of Journalistic ethics, is being sued by the Deutsche Tages Zeitune for libel because it included that news paper the organ of the pan-Germans and the agrarians among the "syndi cate of nationalist murderers." Political observers believe it is mol unlikely that Chancellor Wirth, in or der to save his cabinet, may make { shift to the left for the purpose O. winning the support of the independ ent socialists, thus securing a nor. ample foundation for his minorit, ministry and offsetting the possible defection of the German peoples par tv.
 Government Faces Test.
 The government is about to under 20 a decisive test in the Reichstag Ii connection with the forthcoming ta, 1 legislation and other measures, ans ! it's work is being vastly increased hs | the feeling aroused over the Erzberg CT episode.