Evening star., 1925-03-01
PASSING OF EBERT
MAY MAKE LUTHER
OR MARX PRESIDENT
Germany Mourns Death of
First Executive, While
Pondering Successor.
BY the Associa ted Press.

ny tHe Assncldted l'Fess.
BERLIN. February 2S-Theaters
and operas were dark throughout
Germany tonight, concert halls were
closed and cafe orchestras silenced in
mourning for Germany's first presi-
dent, Friedrich Ebert. the former
saddlemaker of Heidelb lberg, who sue
ceeded Kaiser Wilhelm as the chief
executive of Germany and steadied
the new republic through six stormy
years.
President Ebert 6ied at 1918
o'clock this morning from peritonitis,
following an operation for appendi-
citis five days ago. His system had
been undermined by an attack of In
fluenza preceding. the operation. and
his heart was not equal TO the bur-
den imposed by the poison which had
spread throughout his system
Two Named I'm Race for Post.
Who will succeed Ebert as the
chief executive of Germany is a ques-
tion which is forcing itself more
urgently upon the German people be-
cause of the fact that the constitu-
tion does not provide for a vice presi-
dent. Many Germans were made sud-
denly aware thats the presidents Of
fee, of which they were hardly cog
infant since Ebert's rare tact pre-
vented him from forcing himself to
the fore, is pivotal point in the
whole republican structure and that
the future of the young democratic
state will be yitally affected by the
choice of the man placed at the helm.
Two names thus far stand out pre-
eminentIy as presidential possibil-
ities-Chancellor Luther and former
Chancellor Marx. DR.. Luther would
get the support of the Nationalists,
Conservatives and a large part of the
business world, while DIR. Marx
would have the Endorsement of the
Clericals, Democrats and Socialists.
Both men have enviable records of
national and international achieve
ments, Dr. Luther chiefly in connec-
ton with financial policies, and DR..
Marx as a negotiator with the en-
tente and a conciliator at home.
Cuno Also Mentioned.
Two other names mentioned in
wider circles are those of Gen. Won
Secckt and former Chancellor Cuno.
The general is probably the most si
lent man in German public life, which,
added to his capacities as an admin
istrator and organizer, his friends
say, eminently qualities him for the
presidency. 1t is doubtful, however.
whether the Nationalist parties would
dare present a professional military
man as their candidate.
For DIR. Cuno 1t Is argued that while
he is not used to the turmoil of Reichs-
tag politics, where he often was some
what embarrassed, his quiet and charm
ing personality is well suited to the
representative duties devolving on a
chief executive.
AS in other countries, it is extremely
likely a dark horse may be presented
by either of the two major groupings
in German political life. With a large
Communist vote in the offing, 1t is
doubtful whether an absolute majority
will be obtained by any candidate on
the first ballot. The constitution pro-
vides in such a case that another popu-
lar ballot must be taken. IA days later,
when the candidate with the highest
number of votes viii be declared elected.
Flags at Half Mast.
This afternoon Germany's war flags
on land and sea were, all at half
mast by order of Gen. Won Seeckt,
commander of the German army, and
no military band will play through
ON papa Columu