The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1922-11-16
WIRTH CABINET RESIGNS

The downfall of the Wirth cabinet was the
inevitable result Of its own weakness and
its vacillating policy toward the most press
ing problems which confront the German
government. Apparently it has not taken
firm stand on any question, but has attempt
ed to adjust itself to the shifting currents
of public opinion and by temporizing has
failed to make any progress in the economic
sterilization of Germany, which the Ger
man people desire above everything else. The
direct cause of the cabinets dissolution was
Chancellor Wirth's inability to reconcile con-
flieting parties in the Rechstag and form a
working coalition with the socialists and
the peoples party
As it had but little prestige at home or
abroad the cabinets resignation will benefit
Germany if a strong government can be
formed which will adopt firm and construc-
tive domestic policies on which the people
can unite and at the same time take a def
mite stand on Germanys external problems.
The foreign policy Of Chancellor Wirth has
been one of expedieney. Little or no pro-
gress has been made toward Germanys po-
litical and financial rehabilitation. The stu
alton with respect to reparations and an ac-
cord with the allied governments that will
enable Germany to get on her feet ad meet
her postwar obligations, without evading
what she ought to pay and without inviting
bankruptcy, is practically unchanged, al
though Chancellor Wirth has been strug-
Cling to get out of the morass of political
and economic difficulties ever since he as
sumed office in 1921.
In demanding the sterilization of the
mark the social democrats have pointed out
the source of most of Germanys present
troubles and the cause of great deal of
internal dissension which has reacted I'M
favorably on the government. They are
correct in assuming that it is the most urgent
problem the German government has to face
There is the same sort of feelig among the
German people that we experienced in Amer
lea during periods of economic disturbance
and even strong and capable government
cannot hold power unless it provides some
kind of relief. Germany's political prob
lens are further complicated by the fact trat
the republic is still in an experimental sage.
The German people have not yet adjusted
themselves to the change from monarchy
without the effects of the v orld war to be
considered revolution il this sort in the
life of nation cannot ,e accomplished in a
day. The monarchists nave treated the Ger
man government with scant respect, and they
are still plotting is overthrow. The otner
German states.Fsre hostile to Prussia and
jealous Of h'r domination. These factors
have madeIt extremely hard for President
Ebert ane his advisers to establish govern
ment with the dignity and force it should
! have to command the respect and support OF
the German people. Germany's economic
condition will not improve until the mark Is
checked on its downward course, and the
reparations question is settled. There can
be little progress toward sterilization until
a sound economic policy is adopted and car
ried out in good faith. The initiation of Ger
manys paper currency can not be followed
much longer without leading to financial
ruin.