The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1884-09-14

BmrARcx's whip, and. ct pinch. assistance
would frequently bs given by the Nationalist
group, % the discredited and weakened right
wing Of the old National Liberal party now
terms itself. When combined. however.
these three bodies by no means made up
majority Of the present Reichstag, and
they have therefore had to look for
help TO the Centre In contests with the
Progressists and the Sccessionlsts. In
whom the Government finds uncom-
promising enemies OF its home policy.
But the phalanx Of Ultramontanes, mar
shalled by wINDTnoRsr In the Centre, has
felt itself a too important element Of the
situation, has known Itself to be too indis-
pensable to BISMARCK, to be cajoled by prom
ises or bribed by trivial concessions. 1t has
demanded moro than the Chancellor himself
could prevail upon the Protestant Conscrva-
tives to grant, and the impractlcabillty Of
effecting such q compromise with tho Vati-
can as would insure to him the firm support
OF German Cloricals Ia no doubt the cause OF
his protested encouragement regarding the
results Of his parliamentary experiment.
But BISMARCK, as we have said. has made
up his mind to give free institutions ono
moro trial, and 1t is confessed by his oppo-
nents that his prospects OF success In tho
campaign now opened are considerably I'M
proved. Arrangements have boon made. 1t
seems, for virtual fusion OF Conservatives
OF both types with tho Nationalist, the joint
nominee being selected In each district from
that one Of the three parties which is there
preponderant. This species Of coalition
Is much more easily effected among tho
friends than among the opponents Of tho
Government. there being many official ways
OF consoling disappointed candidate. In
addition to the strength which such CONSOLE
dalton will give tho Chancellor's supporters
In many close electoral districts, they will
this year have tho advantage Of an eminent
ly popular programme. We refer to the
project OF State-aided and State-protect-
cd colonization. which is received with
great and growing favor throughout
the empire, but which tho Progresslsts and
those advanced Liberals who got tho
name Of Secessionists by withdrawing
from tho old National party committed the
egregious blunder OF denouncing. 1t is too
late for the Opposition to retract their hasty
and deeply regretted utterances on this SUBJ
ject, and, on tho issue thus Joined. they find
the sympathies and interests Of their own
constituents In the commercial cities aroused
against them. Tho awkwardness Of their
position has added great momentum TO tho
impulse toward union OF all thorough
going Liberals and there Is much less likeli-
hood than there was at tho last election that
Progresslsts and Secesslonists will lose
many Of their votes by independent
action. How keenly all the Chancellor's
antagonists feel just now the need Of CO.
operation is shown by Herr LIEBKNEcHT's
appeal to tho Socialists not to throw away
their votes, but to give them to the Liberal
candidates In districts where they have no
chance Of returning nominee Of their own.
Should this policy be followed. the Liberal
alliance would be powerfully reinforced. for
the strength OF tho Socialists, being scat
tered. Is out OF all proportion to tho number
OF their representatives In Parliament.
Both on account OF tho issue on which the
contest largely turns, and because 1t may be
the last endeavor on the part OF Prince BIS
MARcK to govern Germany on basis of uni
versal suffrage, the coming election for the
Reichstag will be watched with lively In
forest on this side OF the Atlantic.