New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-03-27

PECTING TO MAKE ZIG GAINS-TIE OTHER
PARTIES AND THEIR AlMs-THE HOPE
FOR MODERATE REFORM
Berlin. March l5.-Although the exact date
Of the coming elections to the Rechstag
has not yet been settled upon. they are
pected to take place in May. June July.
and the political parties have already begun
their campaign work The Catholics and
one Social Democrats are keeping little
queter than the other parties. but every
believes that they working in secret just
g diligently as the others are in public.
II is said that the Catholic propose to spring a
surprise on the country in the shape Of a Church
agitation Just before election day. and that they
are remaining quiet about it till then because
Ms publicity might Illustrate the ends they have
In view The Social Democrats do not want to
do anything which would occasion unusual po-
bee activity and involve the arrest Of their lead
ers who will be much needed later on. and or
ders have been given from their headquarters
that great caution must be exercised at all their
mass meetings. which as yet have not been very
numerous. The Liberals. Conservatives and
Agrarans however. are holding meetings all
over the Empire. and in Berlin it is possible to
attend at least one every night.
The Liberals are split up and divided that
they can hardly be called party in the strict
sense IF the word and it will be no great sur
prise If they lose a number Of seats during the
election They lack common standard around
which all can rally. and until they get one their
Importance in German politics will not amount
To much Richter is still their strongest man.
but he is no longer able to keep them together
and leads in the Reichstag only small fraction
Of their number.
iIaS ola me-
u gain in the elections but no one outside OF
TIE party believes this to BE a fact, and the prob
ability is that they will do no more than retain
their present seats. If they do even that. They
are also rather split up. and lack an inspiring
cause for which to agitate well as satisfac-
tory leader TO follow. Fraiherr ven Stumm. al
though by no means their recognized leader is
probably the most influential member Of the
party He is said TO influence the Kaiser more
than any one Of his Ministers. and has been
nicknamed King Stumm' on account Of his
power at court; but in the country at large he
cannot be said to be looked up to by many out
side Of his immediate political sympathzers
BE Is merely a wealthy manufacturer. who has
understood how to make himself popular In
certain narrow circle. The political belief of
the Conservatives is easily defined. They are
determined supporters of the monarchy, as well
as OF the existing order Of things in so far as
protects them but they favor hardly anything
IN the way Of reform which appeals strongly to
the middle classes and the workingmen. They
hate the Social Democrats, and Try on every &C.
casiOn 10 cOunteract their agitation.
II is the Agrarians. Catholics and Social Dem
ocrats who are likely to DO best in the elections.
They are the main political parties in German
politics at present. and the Government will
have 10 make its peace with them as best it
can in the next Reichstag The Agrarians who
come mainly from the different Conservative
factions will probably be willing TO meet il half
way II the Ministers introduce bills which favor
their interests but they re tlize their strength
as they never did before, and do not feel bound
b support Governmental measures.
The Catholics are opportunists. They vote in
the ReIchstag merely for such things as make
for their power as a political organization. some
tines with the Conservatives and sometimes /
with the Liberals, but always with their own
private ends in view; and these ends closely
allied with Church matters. They advocate GER
tain reforms which they think will attract the
xorkinginen but all the parties DO this to
extent and it is not their tactics in this direc
ability 10 stick together through thick and thin
Which has made them powerful. and their leader,
Herr L.ober. could be Minister tomorrow If
be wanted to be and would sign certain agree
nents with the Government He is occasionally
criticised by the more Independent members Of
his party. and IL thought that he would
DOT BE- able to hold it together after Wind
horst's death but he has done what seemed i'm