The Globe-republican., 1893-06-16
THE CRISIS IN GERMANY.
A Bitter Partisan Feeling and . Chaotic
Condition of Affairs.

Condition Of Affairs.
BERLIN, June 13.-Germany is in tn
midst of a campaign now, but one could
not tell it by the appearance of th'
streets, or even of the newspapers. II
the American. used to banners, process
sions, the mass meetings of politica
campaign, everything appears quie
and peaceful. But below the surfact
there is excitement, bitter feeling and
an intense partisanship, such as not
even the days before the civil war de-
veloped in America. Political quarrels
in Germany are carried into the homes
the social and business relations with
an intensity of hate and vindictiveness
unknown to the chivalrous Anglo-Sax-
on, who is hail fellow well met with
his antagonist in private life, after
having fought him bitterly in public.
Americans talk of the spoils system and
:all for civil service rules. They think
that political preference is the curse OF
national life.
But if one wants to see political pro-
scription carried out to the bitter end
,ne must go to Germany. Whoever
opposes the government in any way, be
ae ever SO public spirited, ever so
honest, is shut out of public Office and
S ostracised socially forever. Men
ike Virchow, and many others who have
aonored their country and benefited hu-
nanity the world over, are looked
lown upon by every official and every
oetty lieutenant, whose sole merit is
their loyalty" to the powers that be.
The chaos of political parties at pres
.nt prevailing in Germany is unpre-
,edented in history. More than twenty
political parties are striving for su-
premacy at present. The large land
owners, the small peasant proprietors,
the merchants, the tradesmen, the me-
:hanics, the laborers, the petty officials,
the teachers, all and every one are dis
satisfied, and they all look for salvation
from some political party of their own.
There are the conservatives, mostly
noblemen and their retainers, who see
their only salvation in the absolute
monarchy and in protection of the Ger
man grain products. They are wroth
upon the emperor and Caprivi and on
account of the commercial treaties
with Austria and Italy which admit
the products of these countries at re-
iuced rate of duty. They are willing
20 support the government if the gov
.rnment will stop its negotiations for
commercial treaty with Russia. But
# the government accedes to their
wishes it will fall foul of the free con-
servatives, who desire commercial
treaty with Russia because most of
them are manufacturers, men like the
cannon king. Krupp. and iron king.
Stumm, who have large interests with
in the domain of the czar.
There are the agrarians, who wish
agriculture advanced at the cost of the
bankers and brokers, whose support the
government is very anxious to secure.
Then there are the small tradesmen,
who sigh for the good old days" when
a man had to be apprenticed to trade
and who wish to be formed again into
guilds and to stop the use Of capital in
the large manufacturing enterprises.
There are the anti-Semitists, who see
salvation only in the disfranchisement
and, possibly, the expulsion of the
small number of Jews in Germany, who,
so they claim, cause the hard times
The emperor is much distressed at
the political confusion, and feels very
bitter against his erstwhile friend Bis
marck, who has been very outspoken
in his criticisms. Count Herbert is rum
ming as a candidate in rural district.
The chances for his election now seem
extremely slight. Other prominent cam
didates are Eugene Richter, Prot. Vir-
chow of the extreme radical party: Herr
Eckert and Theodore Bath, moderate
radicals: Herr Won Benningsen. of the
national liberals: Count Won Pressing.
hitherto power of strength among the
centrists, but now converted to agra
rian doctrines; DIR. Lieber, the leader of
the centrist and bitter opponent of the
military bill. All of these. as well as
Bedell and Liebknecht. of the socialist
oarty, are sure of relief