The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1882-10-08
"A New Phase of German Politics.

the Landtag, or popular branch OF tho Legis-
lature Is rendered especially interesting by
new combination Of parties. 1t is said
that O coalition has been arranged BE-
tween the Progressists, the National
Liberals, and the so-called Secessionists, who
formerly constituted the left wing OF the
last named party. This alliance, should 1t
hold good, would substantially resuscitate the
old Liberal organization as 1t existed In the
North-G German Parliament before the split
occurred between those who, as their name
implied, made progress In tho direction OF
constitutional liberties their primary
object and those who were willing to
postpone the demand for Liberal institutions
to the attainment OF national unity. Accord
ing to BISMARCK, the establishment OF Ger
man unity cannot be regarded as assured 80
long as the central Government is dependent
for part Of It's annual revenue on the con-
tributions OF the constituent States The
Secessionists, on the other hand, agree with
the Progressists In thinking that the pro-
cess OF national consolidation has been
carried far enough, and that the pressing
need Of the hour Is to thwart the reactionary
plans OF the man who is at once Chancellor
Of the empire and Prime Minister of Prus-
sia II 1t be true that the remnant which
still retains the name Of National Liberals
is disposed to combine with its old comrades
on a platform Of opposition to the Govern
ment, 1t Is not at all improbable that Bis
MARCK will find himself as powerless in the
Landtag as he is in the present Reichstag.
Should, however, the coalescence Of all the
Liberal elements result In the election of a
majority in the Prussian Legislature, the
effect OF such victory at this time will be
rather moral than substantial. The great
Legislative battles which BISMARCK desires
to win must be fought out in the Reichstag,
not the Landtag For the tobacco monopoly
for tho extension Of the laws against the
Socialists, for n renewal Of the law by which
the military budget was made unalterable
for q term OF years, he must go to the Fed
eral Parliament. II, indeed. he still desired
or hoped to effect an understanding with the
Vatican, the command OF a majority In the
Prussian Legislature would be Indispensable;
but it Is understood that all negotia-
tons between LEO XIII. and the German
Chancellor for the establishment Of n mo-
dus piuendi have been suspended. The
refractory behavior OF certain German
prelates, whose nomination to secs long va
cant had been ratified by the Government,
and the refusal Of the Clerical party to sup
port the bill for tobacco monopoly in tho
last session Of the Reichstag have convinced
BISMARCK that the Ultramontancs are too
shrewd to pay the price he has demanded for
his concessions. Herr WINDTHoRsT's fol-
lowers are probably right in thinking that
the Chancellor would forget his promises
after the empire had once acquired financial
independence. They see. moreover, ground
for thinking that he could not crafty their
wishes IL he would. What they demand is the
complete repeal Of the FALK laws by the
Prussian Legislature a step to which not only
all sections Of the Liberal party, but many
Prussian Conservatives, are opposed. Even
In 1880, when the Government was much
stronger In the Landtag than 1t can hope to
be In the next Legislature the bill which
confined itself to giving the King and his
Ministers discretionary powers In the appli-
cation Of the FALK legislation was SO mutt
lated by the opponents Of the Papacy as to
render 1t nearly valueless for BIsMARCK's
purposes. From the moment the Chancel-
lOr's inability to give the only thing which
the Ultramontanes consider valid con-
sideration for the political service asked Of
them was demonstrated, the chance OF Sc
curing the coveted alliance was virtually
lost, though negotiations with the Pope were
continued for two years more. Meanwhile
all measures permitted by the dis
cretionary powers conferred upon the
Prussian Ministry were taken to con-
ciliate the German Catholics, and, finally,
DIR. Won SCHOONER was designated as AM
bassador to the Vatican. But to all these
Establishments the Ultramontanes remained
obdurate; they persisted in requiring re-
peal Of the May laws as condition prece-
dent OF any serious support, and in the last
session OF the Reichstag co6perated, as we
have said, with the Liberals in throwing out
the bill for tobacco monopoly by an over
whelming majority. Such being the bitter
outcome Of the Chancellor's journey to Ca
nossa, it is not improbable that he would
witness with equanimity triumph OF the
Liberals at the present election. so far rs its
effect upon the Clericals is concerned. We
suspect, indeed, that he would shed no tears
If the Liberal majority should pass bill re-
pealing the discretionary act of 1880, and aim
ing at a revival Of the Culturkampf in its
pristine vigor
A fusion OF all shades of Liberalism in the
Landtag would naturally entail similar
union In the Federal Parliament. But here,
too, the effect would be rather moral and
prospective than immediate and tangible.
Out OF the 1917 members elected to the pres
ent Reichstag in 1884, 43 are National Libe-
rails, Al Secessionists, and GS Progresslsts.
Taken together, they could muster only 1853
votes, and even when supported by the IL
Social Democrats they would still be in mi
nority. 1t is out OF the question, therefore,
that they should accomplish any positive
legislation in the present Federal Par
lament. Their role will be limited to
frustrating the designs Of BISMARCK,
and for this purpose coalition was
scarcely needed, seeing that the Chancellor
can only reckon with anything like conf
dence on the votes Of the 70 Conservatives.
AS for the 107 Clericals and Guelphs, these
have proved, as we have seen, quite as in
tractable as the Progressists themselves.
The truth is that not only no party, but no
conceivable combination Of parties can OBJ
N,t,