Prussia's Cabinet

The State of Prussia being related to the Reichstag much as the American States are to Congress, it was of more than parochial interest that ex-Chancellor Wilhelm Marx consented a fortnight ago to head the Cabinet of the Prussian Diet.

The Diet elected him Minister President (Premier) by a meagre majority after ex-Minister Braun had declined for a second time to carry on the State's government (TIME, Feb. 2). Etiquette prescribed that Minister Marx should appear before the Diet, announce his Cabinet, obtain a vote of confidence.

Herr Marx had an eye to the future. Thought he: "The Monarchists and the Republicans are evenly divided. In order to obtain some measure of Socialist support, I must have a Socialist colleague." He chose as Minister of the Interior Herr Severing, who has long acted in that capacity under ex-Minister Braun. But the ruse did not work. Last week the Diet refused a vote of confidence by 221 to 219 votes. Minister Marx became ex-Minister Marx. Prussia again lacked a government.

It was thought likely that ex-Chancellor and ex-Minister President would be asked to make another attempt to end the political deadlock and that, if he failed, the Diet would be dissolved and new elections held.