The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-07-03
THE GERMAN ELECTIONS
INCIDENTS OF THE BALLOTING FOR
MEMBERS OF THE REICHsTAG.
Centrists Now Able to Dictate Legis-
Iaticn, Having Made Big GaiDs-In-
crease in the Socialist Vote.
Copyright, 1888. by the Associated Press)

Copyright, 1888, By the Associated Press)
BERLIN, July 2.-Public attention con-
tinues to be absorbed in the quinquennial
elections recently held in this country and
their results. The newspapers are teeming
with incidents indicative of queer election
eering methods observed during the cam
paign, and a mass of evidence is presented
proving that intimidation was resorted to
in many districts, notably in the rural Sec
tons. The Socialists will contest number
of seats, including the Dantzic constituency,
where the director of the imperial navy
yard is charged with coercing voters to sup
port the government candidate. They will
also contest the seats in Cassel, Elbing and
Dortmund and in the Second and Fifth dis
tricts Of Berlin. In the latter place, it is al
legged, enough Illegal ballots were counted
in favor of the anti-Socialist candidate to
y;tiate the result The defeat of DR.. Theo-
dore Barth, the Freisinnige leader, at Ros-
Agrarian representative, DIR. Paasche, and
the enormous increase in the Socialist vote,
which aggregated 1900 above that of 1893.
The increased strength of the Centrists
is now 104 and the weakening of the govern
ment side in the Reichstag induced the Cen
trists to formulate list of demands for the
coming session, including the recall of the
Jesuits, the abolition of the last remnants of
Kulturkampf legislation, the reinstatement
in the Constitution of the articles granting
absolute political equality to the Catholic
Church and restitution of the Catholic de-
partment in the ministry of public worship.
The representative of the Associated Press
learns, however, from good authority, that
although he cannot pass new measures
without the cooperation of the CentristS,
Emperor William will not sanction the re-
call of the Jesuits, which the Centrists re-
gard as the most important of their de-
mands. Emperor William recently declared
that as long az he was King of Prussia the
Bundezrath should not have a Prussian vote
In favor of the recall of the Jesuits. nor of
the other demands enumerated. 1t is prob
able, therefore, that there will be trouble
between the CentriSts and the government
during the next session, especially as
number of those elected on the reballots
who were aided by Centrist votes. are
pledged to support the Centrtsts demands,
giving the Center at least nineteen votes.
The issuance of a decree by General Won
Podoisky, the secretary of state for posts
and telegraphs, forbdding the postal en-
ployes, who number 5000, to have any con-
nection with the Socialists, occasioned the
discovery during the campaign that the de-
partment is largely permeated with social
ISM Frequently kilograms connected with
electioneering for government candidates
were delayed in favor of kilograms adj
dressed to their Socialist opponents, and
others were bungled, apparently purposely,
so as to lead to serious misunderstanding
on the government side. Besides the decree
other preventive measures have been pro-
posed to Gust socialism from the Postal
Department.
The Conservative newspaper; continue
the campaign for the abridgement of the
Reichstag franchise, maintaining that this
is necessitated by the immense growth of
the Socialist vote. The representative of
the Associated Press learns that Emperor
William and the King of Saxony are both
in favor of this movement. The Emperor
Cabinet to prepare at the earliest moment
a report giving minute details of Socialist
progress by districts, towns and villages,
the conditions governing each and the fiuc-
tuationS previous to election. special
Cabinet meeting will be summoned to dis
cuss the matter as soon as the report Is
completed.
The government intends to transform
NordOnham, which the North German
LLOYD Company has abandoned. into a
naval stronghold. The preparatory work
had been commenced, but great secrecy is
maintained. The Reichstag will not be In
formed regarding the matter until all pre-
liminaries have been completed.
At a meeting of the Colonial Society at
Dantzic on Tuesday, at the instance of the
president. a resolution was adopted which
resolution provides that no German, no
matter where he may emigrate, hereafter
shall lose his nationality except on his own
initiative. A bill embodying the resolution.
which is Endorsed by the Emperor and by
many members OF the Reichstag, will be in-
troduced at the coming session.
Prince Hohenlohe, the imperial chancellor.