Evening Star Newspaper, March 16, 1924, Page 18

NO TEARS ARE SHED AS REICHSTAG DIES Maximilian Harden Says Parlia- ment Eliminated Itself From Public Confidence. DISCREDIT TO REPUBLIC Recent Doings Held Vapid and Pointless, He Says. BY MAXIMILIAN HARDEN. B Radio to The Star. BERLIN, March 15.—The reichstag, which has just been dissolved, dles unwept. Public opinion is not even as- tonished at its demise. The renchstag minated itself practically several montis ago through the transfer of dicta‘orial powers to v ment. Its doings, vapid and point- less, were buried on the inside pages of ‘the newspapers. People didn't even read about it, This reichstag, in which sat 180 gocialists and a couple of dozen other men, ected under democratic colors, fucceeded in discrediting the German fepublic democracy and socialism more thoroughly than the wildest monarchist could have dared to hope. How thoroughly it proved that in Germany, at least, pariiament is only i ome hindrance in difficult situations, is shown by the events that occurred during its dying hours. Modest Query Brings Rebuke. The modest question of a deputy whether history will term Gen. Lu- dendorff "a great military leader ¢voked a hail of indignant cries of “Shame!” The general, as the all-powerful commander of an army of unexcelled bravery, lost the war, and was forced to demand thrice on a single day the specdiest armistice. Nevertheless, there was no retort to the cries of “Shame!" was said in 1918 that only the 1 of three Jews—Ballin, Fried- and Rathenau—had impelled the kaiser to a cessation of hostili- ties. As a matter of fact, the rich and utterly unpolitical coal magnate, Friedlaender, was already dead then! of the Hamburg ', was prevented from his ideas to Wilhelm’s at- Rathenau, who always cleverly ‘and falsely, had written in August, 1918, that France's army and government would soon be i back to the Pyrenees: he re- rded the ar's end in October as considered the supreme too curasthenically anx- nd without knowledge of the real situation, called for contin- uation of the war. 1t has been proved beyond doubt b Ludendorff and Hindenburg :manded and achieved the permitting all the condi- dictated by Marshal Foch. e fable of the three Jewish be- ulated further and was not denied in the reichstag. Demand of Bavarian Party. the program of arian people’s party, a branch ruling Catholic ed punishment of those respon- = for the revolution in 1918 and restoration of the monarchy, first of all in Bavaria. state, too, has a republican cc . Publicly and how the former Crown upprecht is termed “his maj- the state's highest repre- ringing tention; provhesied imilar _things inimportant for d existence were not even mentioned in the reichslag. Nobody what right a man whose fa- d to leave the throne in 1518 could become king years later under a republican constitution. One wonders whether the republic's reign- is not likely to bring to riminal charge those re- eponsible for the revolution that made ita renubl hstag had made ail experim with the currenc ani damaged German, finances and in- by hopele: istance in the hid revoked the principle of of all citizens before the law ble the state of slege, the military dictatorship and unjust un. FRANC SPECULATORS FACED BY DISASTER Shortage Forces Many to Seek Cover at Loss as High as 30 Per Cent. BY PAUL SCOTT MOWRER. By Cabic to The Star and Chicago Daily News. Copyright, 192 PARIS, March 15.—Foreign banks and speculators whi have been leading the fight against the franc pow are literally threatened with ruin, according to reports received here. It is apparently certain that miore francs have been sold for future delivery by anti-French speculators than normally exist in the world's oxchanges. The problem for the speculators, therefore, is how they are to cover, for the French govern had fearfully | And the single gain—stabilizing of domestic prices—was achieved with- out assistance from the reichstag, from which not a single practical 1roposal emanat ‘That this parliament died unwept and that only monarchisst national: enter the election campaign with joy cus hopes is understandable. ties endeavor to ascribe the blame for the miserable parliamentary showing to_“hostile forelgn countries.” ‘The center and people’s parties are endeavoring to orient themselves to- ward the right in order to maintain part of their power, whatever the re- sult of the elections may be, Beast of Beurgeols Greup. Even the weak group of bourgeois democrats, which has everything to fear and nothing to hope for, boasts of ita opposition to the peuce treaty, calls a * less breach atill repeating the fal sertion that the treaty rests on “Ger- many's admission under duress of sole gullt for the war” and regretting lhed ‘weaponlessness of the father- and. All this explains why the Wllson flag {noldent. w! regrettable con- sequences were kept silent here, was not even mentioned in the relchstas. Such is the situation in the Ger- man republic in the sixth year of its Criticism now is too late the nation has the courageous will to form a new Germany or whether | it longs for a return of the old i regime. (Copyright, 1924.) Misery BY WILLIAM BIRD. By Radio to The Star. PARIS, March 15.—The conclerge bringing up the morning pavers said: “Il est blen gentile, ce Monsieur Morgan.” (He is a nice man, that Mr. Morgan.) That is probably the sentiment of most Frenchmen, including Premier Poincare. “Mister Morgan is a nice man.~ For this is what he has done: Loan Saved France. Mr. Morgan's timely loan of $100,- 000,000 has saved France from a scary slide of inflation upon which she ventured last week. It has saved millions of French investors from atter ruin. It has saved French mid- dle and professional classes from misery and starvation. And. in a larger way, it has given all Burope & breathing space in which outstanding problems may be put on | the way to solution if those in places of power seize the opportunity. i A week ago, the labors of the Dawes-Young committee, for ex- ample, seemed to be utterly vain for, before their report, which it is hoped will rehabilitate Germany, could be rendered, it looked as if France's| finances ‘would be in ruins. Today, thanks to Mr. Morgan, the experts can complete their work tranquilly Problems Not Settled. This does not mean that France's problems are settled. All that the Morgan loan means is that France will_have a few months respite in which to put her finances in order. Tndeed, the terms of the loan stipulat. * that France must cease borrowing, except to consolidate her floating debt, and may not even issue bonds to complete restoration of the devas- tated regions without providing for them out of the budgetary receipts. Furthermore, within__ten months, France must be prepared to repay Morgan in dollars. Simple arithmetic will show what a hard up-hill road France must travel ment and its allies seem to have been buying the francs offered abroad with the result that there now is a real shortage of francs in the foreign exchange markets. Some of the beaten speculators are accepting a loss of 30 per cent and already beginning to cover. isut the majority of them still are holding off in the hope that the franc again will fall. Berlin speculators, it 1s said, were selling francs a few days ago at 137 to the pound sterling for delivery at the end of May. The pound today is worth only 89 francs. Could Declare Cormer. . The French government can, if it desires, declare pragtically a corner on francs abroad and instead of al- lowing the speculators to settle on a margin, force actual deliveries. In 1905, it is recalled, Count Witte, the Russian finance minister, to check speculation in roubles, shipped a car- load of gold to Beriin and bought all the roubles offered, forcing de- liveries without extension of time, and within a few days brought me! rouble above par. N The situation of the franc today is more complicated. Yet there is no T doubt -of the critical position of the | speculators. Some observers here be- lfeve the French government will not desire too brusque & recovery of the franc bgcause it might hurt French exports. Big exporters, apparently, would like to see the franc stabilized around_twenty or twenty-two to the dollar. However, the downward move- ment has been 'so swift that it may continue a little longer by force of its own momentum. mTo Colored 3001 Eleventh Street N.W. UNUSUAL OPPORTUNITY TO PURCHASE MODERN TWO-FAMILY BRICK APART- SITUATED N.E. CORNER OF COLUMBIA ROAD AND 11TH STREET Large rear porches, separate hot-water plants, newly dec- orated, electric hights{ garage; in excellent condition. MENT HOUSE, Immediate Will Make Splendid Investment or Very Desirable Home Open for Inspection All Day Sunday Owner on Premises Moderate Cash Payment Price Reasonable. Possession Save Your Eyes Clarify the vision and stop the drain on the energy of the mind by the aid of proj eyeglasses. . THE SHAH OPTICAL CO. 812 F St. N. W. 812 F St. N. W. 812 F St. N. W. and Starvation Averted , In France by Loan From Morgan |Saves Inflation and Gives Breathing Spell to All Eu- rope—Country, However, Must Get Finances in Or:der. Within that time if repayment of the loan is not to undo all the good that has been accomplished by it. As for the experts’ report, of which the public is led to expect so much, it can be stated definitely that hopes of torrents of German gold will not be realized. The correspondent has talked with an American private citizen who was privileged to read the draft upon which the experts were, in substance, unanimously agreed. and which will be adopted with only verbal changes. This indi- vidual described it as a bitter pill for the French to swallow. Elections Caute Question. Indeed, the official who showed the draft to the writer's informant, ex- pressed the view that it would neces- sitate stabilization of the franc at 3 cents. This prediction, however, is invalidated by the Morgan loan, but it may be realized 1f France does not take “advantage of the next few months to put her finances in order. The largest element of doubt, in the opinion of France's banking and business leaders, comes from _the elections which are due in May. Although M. Poincare, with his puris mind, is flatly opposed to suspendi the constitutional provision and pos poning_elections, it is well under- stood that President Millerand and some members of the Poincare cabi- net, chief among whom is War Min- ister Maginot, are in favor of pro-| roguing the present parliament for t least, a5 was done during Committee appointed by Speaker Gillett to inv sald to have been made against two representatives by Upper, left to right: Representative Theodore E. Burton tive Fred S. Purnell of Indian: Lower, left to right: Representative Otis Wingo of Arkansas snd tive H. Walton Moore of Virgiaia. Means Limited Dictatorship. As there is scarcely any likelihood | that the Senate, which is imbued with | democratic traditions, would pass a law to this effect, it is proposed to accomplish it by executive decree. It would be tantamount to establishment of a limited dictatorship, but that, in the opinion of conservative ele- ments, 13 the only chance of Saving the country from slipping into peri- lous fiscal 3 1f, however, the elections are called off. anti-government forces threaten to resign in & body from the chamber, thus necessitating partial clection al over France in the hope of demon Strating the country’s attachment to democratic principles. The Senate, of course, {s not af- fected as it i3 elected by indirect vote, somewhat as the American Senate used to be. At _all events, it is probable that the next few weeks will show in what_direction France is turning and at the present moment, “as goes France, s0 goes Europe.” (Copyrig ) ANNOUNCEMENT We take great pleasure in informing the, public that we are now opening in our establishment a display room for new over- stuffed furniture made in our factory. The styles manufactured consist of parlor and living room suites, wing chairs, Chaise lounges, etc., covered in the very best quality and the latest in mohair velours, cut velours and tapestries. You will be able to save $100 to $125 in the purchase of any suite of furniture in our establishment. We carry an assortment of frames and if desired, we can manufacture separate pieces to order. Our wide selection of mohair velouys, velours, tapestries, leathers and denims will please you. You are cosdially invited to visit our display room and in- spect our new line of furniture. WHEN YOU NEED A KEY You need our instant dupli- cating service. Duplicate key, 25c. Brini_ lym:r locks to the shop. RNER & CLARK Basement. 1233 New York Ave. New Tork Upholstery Company 619 F St. N.W. Phone Main 3687 Fran f Ohlo, Reprenenta- Representative Earl C. Michener of Michigan. Your Motor Knows! TPLE~ M Gasoline All gasoline dispensed at our stations is TRIPLE FILTERED by our own special process which absolutely removes all dirt, water and other impurities that are bound to get into motor fuels, no mat- ter how carefully they are handled. ) Using this absolutely pure gasoline means freedom from a mul- titude of troubles and easier starting, better mptor performance and greater mileage per gallon. s ‘ Time-Saving Service Wide driveways, numerous pumps and MINUTE SERVICE—no block- ades and no delays—these are a few of the many reasons why motorists often go far out of their way to fill up at our stations. ; wsaw SUNOCO Recommend . THE DISTILLED OIL «=less trouble, more miles, more pep. The “L” Street Garage 1705 L St. N.W.—Franklin 9562 Distributors and Selling Agents Automotive Supply Co. Pa. Ave. at 21st St. N.W.—West 5%4 Automotive Accessories Co. American Accessories Co, 10th and E Sts. N.W.—Main 413 Ga. Ave. at Upshur St—Columbia 10234 Washington Accessories Co. 17th ‘and L Sts. N.W.—Main 13%4 There’s One Convenient to You! oMinyte Sefaiice Stations CHURCHILL HOLDS BRITISH INTEREST Factor in Political Drama as Bye- s Election Candidate for Office. BY A. G. GARDINER. By Radio to The Btar. LONDON, March 15.—English political drama at the moment is centered in Winston Churchill, who fs con- testing in @ bye-election in West- minster division which takes' place ,next Tuesday. ! Churehill, next to David Lloyd iGeorga. is the most entertaining figure on the English stage. Bril- liant with his tongue and personally fearless, he is assertive, egotistic, utterly lacking in judgment, inno- cent of scruple and wholly distrusted, but always formidable as a fighter. ] | He has run a race with Lioyd George for twenty years as the popular dem- ocratic leader, but Lloyd George is more nimble and is always just ahead. ‘Their relations are peculiar. They are half rivals and half colleagues and both are coalitionists at heart. Even before the war they aimed at dissolution of the old parties and the formation of a center party under joint personal leadership. The war gave them the opportunity ! of carrying it into effect, buturmw 8. anxious to have him. He has been out of parllament two years. He was rejected in Dundee in 1922 and in Lelcester last Decomber. Now he is standiog in Westminster on an anti- ocialist ticket He hoped to get his candidature indorsed by the conser- vatives, but official conservatives do not want him back, and the liberals would be glad to be rid of him. He s apoealing to both parties for support on the ground of the dreaded specter of bolshevism. He has got bolshevism on the brain and he sees it behind every bush. Always theatri- cal, he pictures himseif as an heroic St.” George slaying the dragon. The public is not much moved by these histrionics. On the contrary, they regard him as a dangerous ex- plosive with an incurable tendency to- ward militarism and reckléss adven- ture. Nevertheless his chances of victory are considerable, owing to the remark- able force of his personality and sup- port of the popular pres: What His Success Will Mean. If he wins, the political situation will be substantially changed. Old guard conservatives hate him for desertion in the past, but, if returned, ho will capture leadership of the main body of the party by sheer force of per- sonality. On the other hand, he may seek to detach both conservatives and liberals to re-form a center party. In that case, what will Lloyd George do? His reunfon with the liberals is prov- ing to be a half-hearted affair on both sides. He and Asquith are civil to each other, but no more, and the main body of the narty are wholly distrust- ful of the returned prodigal. Lloyd George himsolf rarely goes to the house of commons and ie supposed generaily hankers after a center party and that if Churchill is elected next. Tuesday there may be u revival of the George- Churchill-Birkénhead offensive, alming at dissolution of the conservative and liberal parties and formation of a new Broup to the slozan of anti-soclalism. it is the time of opportunity for political adventurer Iike Churchill. The whole party system of English politics is in the meiting pot and run- ning into a new mold. The labor movement holds office by liberal votes, but in spite of that fact Prime Minister Macdonald's attitude is more hostile to that party than to the tories. Evidently he wishes to force them into oppositipn and go to the country on the plea that the lib- erals prevented labor from carrying out the socialist policy. Macdonald Hes His Troubles. But Mr. Macdonald has his own discontents, If he remains in office there is certain to be a disruption of the labor ranks. Fear of this may in- duce him to seize the opportunity of going out of office in order to save the party’s integrity. In short, English politics is all sixes and sevens, and Churchill's caleula- tion is that the new formation will be on the lines of tal and labor, fluence of the guished and a crude struggle of the rival forces of money power backed by control of arms and labor backeu by the power of the unions, estab- lished. In such a war he would pla the role of Mussolini, for which b has both the ambition and the thea- trical gifts. Hence, the importance of Taesday's election. Only A Few Days Left To Secure A Great Bargain! The HOMER L. KITT CO.’S Great REMODELING SALE SOON CLOSES ’ ANOTHER BIG SPECIAL OFFER BRAND NEW Only ask to see them! for beginners; in. Thi' bargai 8 is a snap. Look it over. Upright Piano Upright Piano 7 THE KNABE STORE t Homer L.Kitt Co. PLAYER PIANO With 50 Music-Rolls All New Q. R. S. Rolls Entire Qutfit $318 Many fine bargains are still left in good used pianos and players. A few are listed below. Read this list and Player Piano e *185 and mahog- Player Piano any case. ‘This pl Ask to see this. new. Oneof our best bargains, One of the world’s best makes. . big bargain. Very slight- 1y used small size; mahogany case. Bench to Match Pay $10 Per Month Grand Piano 5218 Grand Piano *410 A 1330-G-STREET