New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-05-12
GERMAN POLITICAL PARTIES.

Germany has entered upon an electoral cam
paien, the result of which, though OF supreme
importance, is shrouded in the deepest unccr-
tainty. In no other European country, save
perhaps Au>tria-lIungary, is there 50 complex
a division of parties or so confused host OF
influences and in none is it so difficult 30 make
any Trustworthy forecast OF electoral results.
Apart from minor factional differences, there
are four great lines Of party division, which
NAY be described as territorial, religious social
and purely political; and these So cross and
recrOss as to divide the members of the Rechs-
tag into six leading groups of which two are
subdividcd making eight i'll all. In the Rcichs-
tag Just dissolved none of these came near being
a majority, and it is not probable that any will
in the Rcichstag about to he chosen. The Min
istiy will again have to depend upon coalition
formed through compromise. 1t is probable,
however, that the relative strength OF the var-
Gus parties will be considerably changed.
The strongest party in the late RcichStag was
the Centre otherwise called Clerical or Ultra
montana. 1t is composed Of Roman Catholics,
chiefly from South Germany and the Rhine
Provinces, and has been steadily growing, from
G3 in 1871 to III at the election of 1890.
Kulturkampf'' it has been notably homoge-
neOus and harmonious; but now that it has lost
its Incompatible leader DR.. Windthorst, it be-
gins to show signs Of disintegration. Hitherto
it has made gains at each new election, but
whether il will do so this year Is prOblemalic.
Tho Conservative group is subdividcd into Ger
man Conservatives and Free Conservatives or
lmperialisis. These differ chiefly in name, their
| principles and plans being practically identical.
They comprise the Junkers and Fucrsten-the
squios and n0blCs-and support the Emperor
and Ministers against Parliamentary govern
ment Their numbers are steadily declining,
the former faction falling from 10 to - and
the latter from 80 to 20 between 1887 and
1890. Their only leader of prime authority is
Robert Won Puttkamcr. lately Minister.
The National Liberals, led by such men as
DR.. X. Won Bcnnigscn, DR.. Miguel and Pro-
fcssor Won Gneist, should be the "party of the
future They once stood for moderation. prog
ress, intelligence, principle, independent thought.
But, never having the courage of their con-
victons, they have lost ground and prestige.
In 1887 they joined the two Conservative
groups in the famous Cartel for the purpose of
passing the septcnnac Army bill. But in the
election of 1890 they lost 80 seats, retaining in
the late Rcchstag only A. ; and it is not i'm
probable that they will this year suffer further
loss. The Social Democrats. led by Mcssrs.
Bcbel. L;ebknecht. Singer and Vollmar, have,
like the Clericals, been prosperous, harmonious
and aggressive in their long struggle against
Prince Bi>marck's Expressive laws. In 1887
they secured only IL seats, bun in 1890 they
secured 80 and they bid fair to increase their
numbers at the coming election. Their prn-
ciples are amply set forth in their name. The
latter remark may also be applied to the Anti
Semites, or Jew Baiters, of whom the notorious