Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1893-05-28
GERMAN POLITICAL AFFAIRS.
How the Parties and Factions are LIN
lug Up for the Coming Struggle Of
RalIota.

lug Up for tho Coming struggle OF
Ballots.
BERLIN, May 27.-The political out
look has been considerably cleared
since the issue by DR.. LIeber OF the
manifesto OF the Centre, or Catholic
party. The labOred phraseology OF the
manifesto and its Iong-wInded sentences
we're not calculated to impress the pub
lie, and have elected just rtdlcule from
the press. But the declaration did not
fail to inform the government the price
it must pay for the support OF the
party in the new Reichstag.
The Lieber faction Of the Centre
party is ready to negotiate with Chan
cellor Won Caprivi on the basis OF a re-
ligious disabilities in return for its ad-
hesion to the governments military de-
mands. Protection TO German agricul-
tural interests is another, but suoordin-
ate plank In the manifesto. The demand
for q reform in taxation, the protest
against m~onopolists, and the suggested
increase Of the taxation on luXuries con-
tanned 10 the manifesto are still second
ary considerations. That DR.. Lieber
has the whip baud OF the party is most
evident IN the passage referring 10
popular suffrage, and 10 rights OF Fed
eral States. The reactionary conserya-
tive organs threaten that II the new
Relchstag is ~iDtractable, the govern
meut will restrict the franchise, and
thus get an obedient Parliament.
The manifesto, In response to this
| threat, declares that the highest law is
the constitution, adding: "We hold
fast to the character OF the empire as a
federal state. The p%rerogatives OF the
peoplr are based upon universal, equal
DIRECT AND SECRET SURFACES"
A factor that is causing q panic
among the Bavarlan Centerists is the
independent action Of the peasants So
| %cieties, which have hitherto always
supported the Centerist capdi-
dates. These societies have nov
issued an electoral address, stating that
their representatives have up TO this
time been cooperating In legislation
| r%uinous TO Peasant proprietors. and
paving altogether too much assiduous
attention to religious Qestions. In the
coming election the manifesto adds the
| Peasant societies will support only
candidates who are devoted 70 the ag-
ricultural interests Of the country, and
who are reliable citizens without regard
to their religious belief or social popu-
lation.
The Social Democratic party will turn
| the disruption Of the CeDterists 10 the
| best account. Herr Singer took the
field to-day and he will stump Reinish
Prussia and Westphalia.
Conservative candidates 20 longer APP
| pear as Conservatives but as Christian
Social, meaning the Conservstiye-Anti-
Semitic; Germans Social, blending Con-
serYatives, anti-Semites and AgrariaDs.
Obviously trustworthy data on which
10 base a prophecy Of the fDal result
continue TO be wanting. The oppOsl-
ton papers and the organs OF Herr
Richter's faction count upon a majority
of from 40 10 GO hostile TO the govern
ment. Chancellor Won Caprivi's organs
assert that the Conservatives, the mod
| crate faction Of the Fressinnge party,
and the Centerists are supporting the
army bill and that the government 10
daily gaining ground.
Another week ought to allow OF q
clearer estimate to be made as TO the
ultimate position Of the several parties.