The New York herald., 1922-06-25
PARIS LAYS MURDER
TO FOES OF TREATY
Believes Rathenau's Slayers
Were Attempting to Aid
MOnarchists.
NEWS STIRS ENTIRE CITY
Millerand and Poincare Send
Messages of Sympathy to
German Embassy.

Special Gable to THE NEW YORK HERALD.
Copyright, 1922, by THE New YORK HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau.
Paris. June "a.
Although the details of the assas-
sination of DR.. Walter Rathenau in
Berlin to-day continue to arrive here
in very garbed form, and colored to
suit the political views of the several
news agencies, evidently the murder
is causing considerable concern in of =
ficial quarters, where there is inclina-
tion to believe it may prove to be a
signal for the monarchist effort sched-
uled for June 2S, the anniversary of
the signing Of the Versailles treaty.
Undoubtedly. until his association
with the Bolsheviki in negotiating and
signing the Rapallo treaty, the French
had looked to DR.. Rathenau to direct
German diplomacy along lines which
would mean observance of the treaty.
But since the Genoa conference 1t is
evident that DIR. Rathenau's influence
had deprecated on both sides of the
Rhine.
Predicted violent Death.
In conversations less than three
months ago with Louis Loucheur,
formerly Minister. OF the Liberated
Regions. he Is known to have predicted
that his fate would be the same as that
OF Matthias Erzberger. who was mur-
dercd in August. 1921. In fact he told
NJ. Loucheur:
II am certain OF It. and therefore
am prepared for anything tina, may
come"
The fact that he met his death the
day after the German Parliamen. had
ratified the Wiesbaden accord. which
was definite blow to the antl-treaty
faction in Germany. convrces the
majority Of French officials that the
attack was fomented by the Right. with
the strong possibility that It was IL
tended to stir up the Nationalists for
great manifestation next week.
As THE New YORK HERALD announced
this week. the French have been fol-
lowing the Berlin situation with intense
interest, private reports corroborating
those from the Socialist German press
to the effect that there was something
In the wind. and unless the greatest
precautions were taken Europe would
find itself confronted with another
"putsch" which would have more dan
geroys consequences than those of the
Kapp revolt.
Until the news of DIR. rRatiienaus as
sassination arrived here the general
public had shown no great interest. but
tonight 1t is the sole topic OF conversa-
ton in the streets. in the cafes and the
restaurants. Even II 1t Is proved that
the crime was executed by his personal
rather than his political enemies 1t is
recognized that II will be hard to con-
vince the French public that an attempt
was not made to strengthen the monar-
chist cause by removing the virtual
leader OF the only faction that has stood
for the fulfillment of the treaty. Even
though he had insisted upon modera-
tion such as the moratorium and an
annual change in the schedule of pay
ments, Dr. Rathenau was accepted here
as believer in Germany's eventual
capacity to pay.
Omcials Send Condolences.
Both President Millerand and Premier
Poincare, as soon as the assassination
had been confirmed, sent personal mes
sengers TO the German Embassy to ex-
press sympathy. both requesting DR..
wilhelm Mayer. the German Ambassa-
dor, to transmit to the German Govern
ment their sincere indignation at the
dastardly attack"
It must be admitted that DR.. Rath-
IN "a n
declined in the last few days. In fact.
only few hours before his death. in
a speech before the Reichstag, the late
Minister for Foreign Affairs had not
only protested against the Saar regime
and the partition Of upper Slesia, but
also had contested the Allies right to
occupy the Rhineland.
"Such declaration" says the Temps
tonight. throw a greater obscurity
around the circumstances OF HIS death.
DR.. Rathenau died after making decla~-
ations which we're almost Nationalist
In character"
The Journal. although admitting that
DR.. Rathenau's policy was conciliatory
so far as his speeches on reparations
were concerned. points out that II was
really in order to gain economic and I'm
dustrial supremacy over the Hugo
SHINES faction, which never has en.ered
openly into the political field. Whether
this will result In the overthrow or the
whole plan for reparations in kind. to
which SHINES always has objected as
costly to German initiative. cannot be
foreseen.
Tribute TO His Ability.
NJ Saint Brice. In the Journal. says /:
"Dr. Rathenau won by having his pro-
gram definitely arranged His pose as
the champion of Or. Wirth's evasive poll
icy was frankly that which enabled him
to carry through, as unofficial ncgotiator
with NJ. Loucheur. the Wiesbaden ac-
cord. He used his power to prepare the
German moratorium with London's aid.
with the soviets. he prepared an al
lance of nations; and for revenge. he
.ianced the torpedo OF the Genoa confer
ence. But this did not prevent him
gaining the confidence of Mr.. Lloyd
George. The plan may survive its au-
thor, for Il Is supported by the majority
Of Germans, but Il will be difficult TO
fnd a brain as capable as that which