GERMAN PRESIDENT

Taihape Daily Times, 5 March 1919, Page 6

GERMAN PRESIDENT

IMPRESSIONS OF EBERT LONDON, February 22 Mr Chas Tower, correspondent of the Times at Weimar, says that Herr Ebert, the German President,-- when Chotting at rlose quarters,' impresses one better than when seen across the footlights.

Like some famous tenors, he does not look his part. He shows disconv fort when sqattiug, hunched and bullnecked, in the black cagled official Assembly chair, where he smiles artificially, and perpetually washes his hands.

It was a bad stage manager who intallcd Mm in Weimar Palace. and It will be almost malicious to place him later on amid the delicate surroundings of the Schloss Bcllvuc, where he would be like the Rembrandt portrait framed stiver fill-

Viewed privately, he appears a good

deal easier, more good-natured, and sincere, but possesses no magnetism, and lacks charm. Ebert’s enemies prophesy that his tenure of the Presidency will not exceed three months or, at the most, six months.