Evening star., 1923-11-26
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Member of the Associated Press.
Albert as Chancellor.

Selection of Heinrich Albert as
chancellor of the German republic by
President Ebert to succeed Strese-
mann is of interest to the American
people, apart from the question of
German administration, on account of
the position DIR. Albert held in this
country prior to the entrance of Amer
lea into the war. That position was
somewhat anomalous. Officially he
was commercial attache of the en-
bassy. Actually he was chief of propa-
ganda, and to him were ascribed many
activities that were not regarded as
acceptable in a diplomatic agent. He
was identified with mulch of the ac-
tivity in the stimulation of proGerman
sentiment in the United States, and it
was plain that he deplorably failed to
gauge the sentiment of this country
in respect to the war and German re-
sponsibility for precipitating the great
disaster.
At home DIR. Albert's task will, for
the present, have nothing to do with
any unfavorable reaction caused in
America by his appointment in view
of his wartime service here. He is
charged with the duty of organizing a
ministry which will carry on the gov
ernment in a most difficult situation.
He is not assured of a majority in the
reichstag. Indeed, it is likely that he
will fail to secure the support of the
socialists, without whom a chancellor
can hardly expect to form a majority
bloc. 7 hat he does not expect such
support is indicated by the fact an
nouncec in the cables that he now
holds in his pocket a presidential de-
cree permitting him to- dissolve the
reichstag if it does not furnish a ma
jority support for the ministry. To-
morrow may tell the tale.
What will happen after dissolution
IL Albert uses the power that has been
thus vested in him is not to be fore
told. 1t is indicated in the dispatches
that he will assume a virtual dictator
ship, with military powers transferred
to him from Gen. Won Seeckt, COM
mander-in-chief of the federal army.
concerning DIR. Albert the Germans, it
would seem, are quite at sea. 1t is
suggested in some of the reports that
one of the considerations leading to
Albert's election as chancellor was his
familiarity with this country and the
possibility of a special appeal to
American sympathy and support for
his government. This is a forlorn
hope. Indeed, his selection is on this
ground rather unfortunate than other
wise, for what DR.. Albert did in the
United States before it entered the
high esteem outside Of pronounced
German circles.
Germany, however, is faced with a
task that cannot be lightened by any
degree Of American sentiment. This
government will not in the least de-
gree alter it's policy, which was stated
clearly in Secretary Hughes letter to
Lord Curzon proposing an interna-
tional expert economic commission on
reparations, participated in by the
United States. There is no feeling here
for lessening of the reparation obli-
cation, but on the contrary a pro-
nounced feeling that Germany must
be made to pay the allies for war dam
ages.
The essential task in Germany at
this time is to restore the finances to
a sound basis, and to make good the
pledges that have been given. Domes-
tic politics, the strife between the So
cialists and the industrialists, on the
one hand, and the republicans and the
monarchists, on the other, do not less
en- this obligation. DIR. Albert is fac
ing a tremendous task, and whatever
the feeling regarding him that may
remain in this country he has q least
the sympathy of the American people
in their hope that Germany will find
in him a successful administrator,
capable of establishing government at
Berlin on a sound basis Of honest in
tent to carry out the obligations Of
war.