The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1902-10-27


Republican ticket.
The Political Crisis In Germany.
The Agrarians, assisted by the Gem
trists, have proved strong enough in the
Rechslag To saddle the grain schedule
of the tariff bill pending in that body
with high minimum rates, which, as
Chancellor Won BtLow has repeatedly
said, would not be- accepted by him. in
asmuch as they would render the nego-
tiation of commercial treaties imprac-
ticable, What will the German Govern
ment do in the face of the defiance il has
met 9th?
II is obvious that. if the Parliamentary
system, under whicha Minister is account
able to the popular branch of the national
Legislature, existed in Germany, Chan
cellor Won BtLOw would have 10 resign
Now there is no doubt tina, the Liberal Is
who controlled the constituent Rcichstag
which, after Sadowa, framed the Con-
stitution of the North German Confedera-
ton, since adopted as the Constitution
of the German Empire inserted a pro-
vision that the acts of the President as
the King of Prussia was termed before
he was named German Emperor should
be countersigned by the Chancellor, who
thereby assumed responsibility for them
The Chancellor was thus made Federal
officer responsible 10 the nation. The
principle of Ministerial accountability
seemed in his way to be tablshed. but
il has emained untrtlitflIl, for the Chan
cellor was not made responsible crmi-
nally, and BISMARCK refused to hold
himself politically responsible to any one
but the sovereign. He persistentlv as
serted that the saying, The King reigns
but does not govern. had no application
to the House of Hohenzolern. NoN
BELOW then, is not obliged 10 resign,
although majority Of the Rechstag
has shown itself determined 10 oppose
him with regard to a measure described
by him as of vital importance to the
Empire.
Under the circumstances. there are
two courses open To the Chancellor. He
can cause the Reichstag 10 be dissolved
and appeal to tho voters, an appeal which
usually has been crowned with success
There Is some reason to doubt, however.
whether such a move would be expedient
in the present instance. owing to the
strength exhibited by the Agrarians and
the Centrists in the last general election
The other alternative. to which, appar-
emily, Won BELOW. after consultation
With the Emperor, has decided TO recur
at least temporarily is for the Govern
ment 10 refrain from any participati ion
in the discussion of the tariff bill now
pending, and to let the majority amuse
thems elves by framing any measure they
like, the rejection of il being reserved
for the Bundesrath or Federal Council
which the Government, in this instance
will be able to control. The obvious OBJ
lection TO this course is that the time of
the Reichstag will be wasted; but in its
favor may be urged the possibility that
the whole or part of the Centrists NAV
be- won over by the Government through
concessions In religious matters. Such
solution OF q deadlock has been found
practicable before.
We have said that Chancellor Won
BtLow might discipline the Reichstae bv
dissolving it. 1t ia true that, for a dis
solution. the consent Of the Bundesrath
Is needed, just as In France the consent
OF the Senate is needed for dissolution
Of the Chamber Of Deputies. It is also
true that Prussia directly controls only
20 OF the So votes in the Bundesrath, and
Aat, theoretically. this body might,
Terefore, decline to sanction a dissolu-
xon. On at least four important occa-
stons the smaller constituent States have
combined and beaten Prussia in the
Federal Council. In the present case.
however, there would be no likelihood
OF successful opposition, inasmuch as
representatives of the Governments of
several constituent States next in i'm.
portance to Prussia have addressed the
Relchstag in support of the Chancellor's
tariff views. If, therefore, Won Blows
negotiations with the Centrsts shall fail
TO detach enough Of them from the
Agrarians to throw out the recent in
admissible amendments to the grain
schedule of the tariff bill, it is to be pre-
sumed that he will fall back upon the
\ drastic expedlent Of dissolution, which,
az We have said. has generally resulted
IN securing popular submission to the
wishes Of the Government. This oc-
CURED in 1878. for example, when the