The Washington times., 1925-02-28
WON LOVE
Of EVERY
CLASS
CONTINUED from First Page.)

Karl and Fritz, IT., were at MS
bedside.
Supported by her daughter and
her SON, Karl, Frau Ebert left the
sanftarium only after she had beer
persuaded with the utmost difficulty
TO leave her husbands death bed
The plain woman OF the people
absolutely unassuming as the first
lady Of Germany whose only idea
In life was to be a good wife and
mother was an utterly diSconsolate
figure as she haltingly made her
way through the lane the police
cleared through the crowd on the
sidewalk.
She was the presidents capable
and faithful comrade. Too often
she had been scorned for her simple
housewifely ways, but her dignified
bearing in the presidential home
finally silenced the Knockers.
Although reactionaries made lit
tie effort to conceal today con-
siderable degree of satisfaction at
the weakening Of the socialist cause
by Ebert's death many Of his most
bitter opponents conceded that Eber.
was a great patriot, who bore his
high office with fine dignity.
World Shamed Foes.
In the early years of his presi-
Aency 1t was the fashion to sheer
: at him because of his humble origin
and q whole literature of Ebert
Jokes grew up aimed at the former
Saddler and innkeeper who had
atruxSled up to the highest office
In the country.
This spirit died down in later
years primarily because his antag-
Onists among his countrymen were
a1amed by foreign diplomats who
reflected the outside worlds high
respect and admiration for the Ger
man president.
Ebert died at the zenith of his
career. A few more months would
have seen him the center Of a great
political fight.
Since the swing toward conserva-
tism evidenced in the last Reichstag
election, Ebert was the lone pillar
of republicanism. Leaders OF the
right wing were determined to sub
afitute their candidate in the presi-
dental elections in May.
Chancellor Luther, who has been
the acting executive since the presi-
dents operation will continue TO
serve until the elections, as the
constitution provides no other sue
cessor to the president.
President Ebert was born in the
famous old university town OF
Heidelberg, Feb. 4, 1871.
The father Of the harness maker
who became president" was so
Door he could give his son no more
than q common school education,
but FREDERICK was graduated at the
age Of twenty-one from the harness
room into the editorial rooms or the
Bremen Burgezeitung. small
Socialist newspaper.
Turned to Innkeeper.
Helpful though his experience
was in rounding out the education
Of the eager young Socialist.
financial success did not come to
this venture and Herr Ebert turned
to innkeeping.
In this, his fortunes were more
favored and he did not lose the op.
portunity to broaden his political
viewpoint.
Ebert's inn was popular and
prosperous, because Of the person.
atty Of its host and the good
Bourgeois cooking for which Frau
Ebert was known.
In her later DAYS as first lady
Of the land, Frau Ebert's dislike OF
pomp and circumstance were well
known. She was happier in her
kitchen.
AS host, Herr Ebert talked pol
itics with his patrons and ex-
changed his Socialist opinions for
their varied views. He was no less
q figure as innkeeper than as
editor. He became a member OF
the Bremen city council and later
Of the Reichstag.
Was Practical Leader.
With the sudden overthrow Of the
HohenzoIlern dynasty and the con
version of imperial Germany into
democratic state, there were
critics who rose against the harness
maker that became president, but
the training they sought to assail
stood him in good stead in the
stormy days Germany was to know
He was one of the most practical
of the group Of moderate Socialist
leaders in Germany. His lack of
excitability. his practical rather
than theoretical views. his modera
ton and the large measure Of his
natural ability gave him wide in
fIuence not only in his own party
but even in the Liberal and Cath
Ollie centrist groups.
He was elected provisional presi-
dent February IL, 1919. receiving
two thirds of the votes cast in the
German Assembly.
Despite his vigorous opposition
to the varied movements Of the
Spartacists and Communists, Presi-
dent Ebert handled the difficulties
of his position SO well that in 1922
he was requested by a coalition
Of several parties to remain in
office until June 1925.
OVercame All Dangers.
One danger after another threat
ened Ebert's government with riots
breaking out in many parts OF
Germany, with food extremely
scarce and the mark plungine
down into an abyss Of financial
ruin.
Ebert weathered storm after
storm. watched ministry succeed
ministry and worked with each
toward his country's rehabilitation
His death came when Germany
was within sight Of the goal toward
which he tirelessly led her.
Considering His Successor.
BERLIN, Feb. 28.-rhe nation
although deeply shocked 5ecaus
of the death Of President Ebert
speculated this afternoon On tn
identity of his possible successor