THE GERMAN PRESIDENT.

Dunstan Times, Issue 3129, 7 August 1922, Page 8

THE GERMAN PRESIDENT.

In a social sense, President Friedrich Ebert of Germany is probably the most retiring chief of any European democracy. Society as it is understood in. other capitals, is non-existent in Berlin. The great majority of the old Prussian aristocracy have withdrawn to the seclusion of their country estates. They have no desire to mix with the “newlv rich,” and the new order of things' is frankly repugnant 1 o them. Visitors are few at 73 Wilhelmstras.se, and no country cousins stoji to gape at the old palace of the erstwhile court marshal which the President of the German Republic has made his home. Barely is the ex-sad-dler seen or recognised in public and picture postals of members of the lioheuzollem family are more plentiful in stationery stores than those of Fritz Ebert. A formal reception at the presidential residence is therefore something of an event in Berlin. For the first time Herr Ebert lately entertained about 100 of the most prominent _ German citizens who have made their peace with the present regime, or nearly so. Besides Cabinet Ministers and chiefs of departments, there were university professors, poets, sculptors, musicians, painters, actors, and _ authors. President Ebert, welcoming his guests spoke of his desire to meet personally the present, leaders of thought, arts and sciences of the Fatherland, and dwelt oil the importance such gatherings would have in fostering culture which he conceived it was the task of the new Republican regime sedulously to promote.