Im Reichstage

After a protracted period of futile negotiations with the Monarchists, Chancellor Marx told President Ebert that he had decided to continue in power with the old Cabinet (TIME, Dec. 10). The first appearance of the Cabinet in the Reichstag was greeted with howls of derision from the Communists. Referring to the Experts' Report (Dawes Plan) Chancellor Marx said: "The Government is convinced that all internal questions, no matter how important, must yield precedence to matters of foreign policy, which are important alike to German unity and German economic life. The Government will devote all its energy to --the work necessary for carrying out the experts' report."

Next day discussion started on the Experts' Report. The Nationalist Party (Monarchist), through Count von Wetarp, declared: "The Experts' Report fatally misjudges not only Germany's obligation but also her ability to pay. Acceptance of the report as a whole seems to me premature."

All day long the debate continued. Fraulein Ruth Fischer, Communist, called the Reichstag "a masquerade of capitalistic dictatorship" and asserted that "only in Russia are the interests of the laboring classes honestly represented." Herr Graefe, Freedom Party (extreme Monarchists), said his party favored "passive resistance [to France] even if it leads to leaving Berlin in ashes. But," he continued, turning to the Moderates and Communists, "if you want blood you may have it!" General Ludendorff was seen to nod assent. Herr Graefe then referred admiringly to the General and the Communists roared: "Throw him out!"

The day following Foreign Minister Stresemann made a notable speech: "I make no concealment of the fact that I consider the Experts' Report as decisive progress, as compared to all that went before, and I decline to assume responsibility for anything that may happen to us in connection with our foreign relations in case we reject the Report." He also said that he believed France would be easier to deal with now that the Lefts were in power and he reminded the reactionaries in no uncertain voice that they had apparently forgotten that Germany had lost the War.

A vote of confidence in the Government was then carried by 239 to 194, many Nationalists abstaining. The vote was equivalent to the full acceptance of the Experts' Report without modification.

The Reichstag then adjourned until June 24.