, 1925-02-28
ILLNESS TAKES
SUDDEN FATAL
TURN TODAY IN
BR|N CLING END
Political Confusion Is
Seen in Passing Of
Man Who Has Guided
Republics Affairs.

BERLIN, Feb. 28.-(By
The Associated Press =
Friedrich Ebert, first presi-
dent of the German republic.
died at 1915 o'clock this
morning from peritonitis
which followed an operation for an.
pendicitis five days ago.
Tho former saddlemaker. whose
skill in guiding tho infant republic
through the first tubulent years OF
Its existence was Acknowledged
even by his bitter enemies, made a
gallant fight for life. But his '
tenn had been undermined by an at.
tack Of influenza before the opera.
tlon and his heart was not equal TO
The burden imposed by the poison
which had spread throughout his
system.
Around his bedside when tho erd
came were his wife. their daughter.
Amalle. and her husband. DR.. WI
helm 1aenecko, and their solo son
TO survive tho war, Friedrich.
Jr. state Secretary Meissner was
the only other person present aside
from the doctors and nurses.
Tho political attacks upon II.
president which eliminated In the
Masdeburg trial. and the efforts TO
connect him with the Barma scandal
Ddded greatly TO the burdens imposed
upon him as chief executive OF =
new republic.
Putsches and threats OF putschc-
and the jibes Of tho monarchlsts
who could o bear the idea Of a
working man succeeding the Hohea.
zollerns had helped to undermine
his once rugged constitution. But
the ilrmness with which he man.
aged the political crisla arising fror,
the tangled party system and the
simple dignity with which Frau
Ebert met her duties as first lady
OF Germany dLsarmed many OF their
sharpest critics.
There was probably not another
leader In Germany. his enemies nc.
mltted. who could have succeeded
where no did end his death four
months before the presidential 2lee.
ton produces more confusion In =
political situation already badly
muddlod.
President Ebert was the first c.
all the patriotic Germans to forget
party lines whom Il became necos
sary to check the extremists, either
in the radical or conservative camps
He frequently brought curses upon
mis- head from the one side or the
other. by approving measure which
they. according to their viewpoint.
deemed either reactionary or too
radical.
His attitude won the confidence OF
the ambassadors and ministers ac-
credited 10 Berlin and he was =
powerful factor in bringing about
acceptance Of the Dawes plan which
promises to calm the storm that has
ragged about the separations prob.
lem for so many years.
Herr Ebert started life as a saddle
maker, but years OF experience US o
organizer and Official OF unions.
together with his wide training in
practical politics, developed hin,
even as, his admirers pointed out.
tho late Samuel Gompers was Dc
voloped IN America. His lack or
early opportunities was compensated
for by the training he won In the
world Of affairs. Iio was described
as no dreamy theorist. but a hard
headed. tacifui leader who made e
gallant fight in behalf OF the Ger.
man republic and the German
masses under heartbreaking eondi
tons.
Death came TO tl%e president IN
the West Sanitarium. The public
received its announcement through
the half masting Of flags on the
foreign office. the American snd
British embassies mad the govern.
ment buildings along the Wilhelm
strasse,
Tho news came as q shock 10 the
Berliners. as tho morning news.
papers published bulletins i~ndlcatlne
a marked improvement in Herr
Ebert's condition. and the crisis was
supposed by many TO have botu
passed.
\ meeting OF tho cabinet was
called for today and the relchstar
VIII be convened on Monday, when
IL viii probably arrange a new elee.
ton date in advance OF the ons
for June.
The choice Of a regular Successor
Herr Ebert VIII relieve chancel
lor Luther OF the responsibility Of
carrying on the presidential dutles
In addition TO his own office. The
presidents death comes on the eve
OF the national day OF mourning sci
TO commemorate Germany's
In the world var There will
be memorial services In all the
churches Of Berlin. and 1ii the
church hcila will h. foiicd