New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-07-26
GERMAN SOCIALISM.
A FATAL DIVISION THREATENED IN THE
PARTY

Berlin. July TO-
AT the general assembly Of Social Democrats
held in Halle last fall the Executive Committee
was instructed TO prepare q new programme, 10
be submitted at the annual meeting In Erfurt on
October 10. In order to facilitate its discussion,
possible modification and eventual ADOPTION the
members Of the committee were directed to pub
lish the proposed programme In the party organ
at least three months before the conclave After
long deliberation and debate. true 70 the letter
OF their instructions. the committeeman published
the new Socialistic platform in "Vorwaerts' a
few days ago.
As was natural to expect it has created a
mild sensation. IL has been already widely dis
cusseo. The principal journals at the capital
and in other parts of the Empire appear to have
forgotten for the nonce the travels Of the swan
dering William" and devote their superfuous
space to the programme, its antecedents and its
possible consequences
The programme is divided into q theoretical
and practical part Although milder and less
revolutionary than was expected, the Introductory
clauses are In the main repetitions of the we'll
known Socialistio principles contained in the
declarations at Chemnitz in 1866 Eisenach in
1861 and Gotha In 1875. The phrases regarding
the necessity Of " union among the proletarians Of
oil countries the advisability Of State owner
ship of all instruments and means of labor" and
the recommendation of a change from the cap
italistc TO the sociastic methods Of production"
have familiar sound. II anything less space
and less eloquence than usual are devoted TO gen
eralities and principles
The second part Of the programme, however,
contains this formulated list Of the party,s de-
mands
1. The right of direct suffrage, the voting TO be
In nj az Eynri ~ hOtb
over twenty one years Of age; Introduction of
place on Sundays or holidays compensation for the
representatives elected.
.. Direct participation Of the people IN the legs-
latOn, with the right Of proposal and refusal self gov
eminent OF the people in the Empire States. Provinces
and commnnaliues annual determination Of the
amount OF taxes to be. raised right OF the people TO
g. Decision to peace and war by the repre-
sentaves OF the people formation Of international t
bunals for arbitration.
4. Repeal Of all laws which confne or suppress
the free expression OF individual opinion the right of
union or assembly,
.. Abolition Of all contributions from public funds
for church or religious purposes, the church and
clous denominations to be considered private orgnni
cations
tendance at the public schools free instruction, free
school books free Instruments etc. used in educational
=; Universal military training. Militia in the place
Of standing armies.
administered by judges elected by the people.
o. Free medical attendance and free medicines.
10. Proportional taxation Of incomes, capital and
nhertancss for the payment Of al public expense.
taxation, duties and other politicoeconOmic
which subject the interests Of the many TO the
interests of the few
For the protection OF the working classes
l. An effective national and international legislation
for the protection OF wOrkmen upon the following
bases The fixing Of a normal labor day, consist
ing. at the most, OF eight hours prohibition OF manual
labor for children under fourteen years OF age prohibit
ton Ct night work, except for those branches Of in
dustry whose nature either from technical reasons or
reasons connected with the public welfare makes such
work necessary uninterrupted rest OF at least thr
.. Supervision Of all commercial industries and N
latOn Of the conditions Of labor in the city and cry
try bv Federal labor bureau, district labor bureaus
g. EQUALITY Of agricultural aborerS and servants and
Industrial laboers abolition of the regulations for ser
L. The right Of coalition.
5. Assumption By the Government Of the .workmen's
Insurance. sOcctIes with proper participation OF the
workmen in their administration.
Without entering into an extended criticism
comparison of the present proclamation with
those formerly issued, it will be difficult for
many people 10 look upon it widely or radically
dierent from many other platforms. Numerous
things are demanded by the Socialists which
other people also demand. In fact many of
their ideals have been realized not only in
foreign lands, but in Germany as we'll. Dreams
and loosely cut portraits of the future perfect
State" or Government have been dropped for
the most part from the programme. The greater
part of the proclamation concerns itself with the
questions Of the day. and with present demands
Communstic theories take up far less space than
was formerly the case. The programme contains
not word regarding the famous braZen or iron
law Of wages" Some Of Lasalle's recommen-
dations 10 be found in the Gotha programme
have disappeared also. Labor is not now declared
to be the source of all wealth The demands Of
the right of suffrage for women, the election OF
judges by the people and the requisition of free
medicines appear for the first time 1t is, how
ever. difficult to agree with Herr Bebel that the
Erfurt programme is more radical than that OF
Gotha.
Despite the schism in the ranks of the Socialists,
il probable that the proclamation will be accepted
by the coming congress at Erfurt. There are in
fuential members Of the party, however, who re-
pudiate the work of the Executive Committe, and
who seem more determined than ever seriously TO
divide the faction.
The excitement regarding the patriotic speech
of Herr Won Vollmar in Munich last month has not
even vet died away 1t is the subject Of consdera-
ton in every Sociastic gathering. Despite the
wrath of Bebel and his associates and his declara
ton that Vollmar would he called 10 account for
his "desertion." at Erfurt, the admirers of the
Bayarian continue to rally about ohm. The re-
pudiation of his statements by the Executive Com
nittee in letter published in "Vorwaerts' has
also had little effect.
At the great gathering in the "Feenpalant'' a
few DAYS ago Bebel and his admirers again de
livercd philippies against the Southern leader
" The Socal-Democratic party" cried Blister in
the course of the evening, is in reality retro
grading The best proof Of that is the speech
of Vollmar The revolutionary spirit has disap
peared. As long as the Socialstic law was in
power the party significant; to-day it is |
ridiculous. 1t has become simply Parliamentary |
Marty | cannot comprehend how the SOcIalistic |
state can be grated on the present society"
The speech Of VOllmar," declared Bebe after |
sided mas been condemned by all members OF |
the party The Berlin faction disapproves Of his |
remarks concerning both internal and foreign |
As to she attacks upon the party, ! declare |