A New Cabinet

The long predicted fall of the Cuno Government (TIME, May 12) took place. The President of the German Republic, Herr Friedrich Ebert, asked Herr Gustav Stresemann to form a new Cabinet.

The Cabinet formed by Herr Stresemann:

Chancellor, Dr. Gustav Stresemann, German People's Party.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Herr von Bergen, Center Party.

Minister of the Interior, Herr Soll-mann, Socialist.

Minister of Home Affairs and Railways, Herr Oeser, Democrat.

Minister for Occupied Areas, Herr Fuchs, Center Party.

Minister of Finance, Herr Hilferding, Socialist.

Minister of Economics, Herr Hans von Raumer, People's Party.

Minister of Reconstruction and Vice Chancellor, Herr Schmidt, Socialist.

Minister of Labor, Herr Brauns, Center Party.

Minister of Justice, Herr Raclbruch, Socialist.

Minister of Posts and Telegraphs, Herr Giesberts, Center Party.

Minister of Defense, Dr. Gessler, Democrat.

Food Controller, Dr. Hans Luther, Democrat.

It is seen from the above that the new Cabinet is a coalition of the Socialists, People's Party, Democrats and Center (or Catholic) Parties.

Dr. Oeser and Dr. Gessler (Democrats) and Herr Brauns (Center) held office in the Cuno Cabinet.

The most important appointment is that of Herr Hilferding to the Ministry of Finance. Hilferding is a Jew and the Socialist editor of Die Freiheit. In politics he has distinct leanings toward Bolshevisnu but believes in moderate means to attain his ends.

Chancellor Stresemann's policy is first of all to maintain passive resistance to the French in the Ruhr at all costs. He will, however, strive to open negotiations with France and will make a new offer of reparations, which, it is said, will be larger than any yet made. Other points in his program are financial and economic stabilization in Germany; no separation from the Rhineland; economic and political liberty of the Ruhr.

Herr Stresemann is known to be a strong man, and he has a strong Government behind him. It is thought, however, that his advent to power has come too late, and that there is little that he can do to dispel chaotic conditions in Germany. A rich man and an industrialist, Herr Stresemann was reputed to be much under the thumb of Herr Hugo Stinnes, industrial Tsar. Lately, however, Herr Stresemann has shown himself to be energetic in trying to break the political power of Herr Stinnes.

The first act of the new Government was to inform the Reparations

Commission that no payments would be received from Germany until the economic and financial horizon had cleared. This is in pursuance of Stresemann's policy of preventing "the complete breakdown of the German economic and financial system."

The reasons for the fall of Cuno can be disposed of briefly. For months he has been artificially maintaining himself in power. Stresemann has been ready to step into his shoes as soon as Cuno resigned. The reason that Stresemann did not become Chancellor earlier is that it was felt necessary to have him "behind the scenes" until he had got the Industrialists into line with his policy.

The situation that confronts the new Government is bad and seems to be getting worse. Bloodshed is the order of the day. Communist risings are reported in many parts of Germany and the political integrity of the country depends on whether Government troops will be able to subdue the Bolshevik insurgents.

Monarchists and Monarchism

Ex-Kaiser Wilhelm II had a barricade of matting erected around his estate at Doom. Guards surrounding the house were increased, as was the small force of Secret Service men and detectives. These precautions are not to prevent the exiled monarch from escaping, but are merely designed to protect him.

Ex-Crown Prince Friedrich Wilhelm was reported to have terminated his visit to Doom and to have returned to his island home at Wieringen, off the coast of North Holland in the Zuider Zee.

It is claimed that a reconciliation has taken place in the Hohenzollern family. The Duchess of Brunswick, "only daughter of the Kaiser, arrived at Doom accompanied by her husband. She had previously refused to recognize her mother-in-law Princess Hermione, spouse of the Kaiser. It is presumed that her visit cancels her former attitude. Monarchist circles attach great importance to the visit of the Duke and Duchess of Brunswick.

Die Kreuz-Zeitung, German ultra-conservative journal, reported that the ex-Kaiser sent a large sum of money to General Ludendorff for a statue to be erected at Baden to the memory of Schlageter, shot recently by the French for sabotage in the Ruhr.