The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-09-14
SOCIALIST LEADERS GATHER.
MAJORITY AGAINST DEMANDING
OFFICE IN REHCHSTAG.
Revisionists Expect to he Beaten Five 70
One-SOO Delegates at Annual Con-
gress in Dresden-Party Programme
Outllned--o, OOO. 600 Socialists Now.
.sprcia, Cabr, Despaieh TO THE SUN.

Special Cable Despatch to THE SUN
DRESDEN, Sept l3.-About five hundred
delegates, including representatives OF
Great Britain, France. Italy. Austria and
Swift zerland, attended the inaugural re-
ception OF the annual congress OF Social
Democrats here this evening. Herren
Singer and Kaden were elected presidents,
with equal powers.
Herr Kaden, in his Introductory ad-
dress, ment toned the fact that at the last
congress Of the Social Democrats in Dres-
den. which was held in 1879. only fifty
seven delegates were present. At that
time there were 100 900 Socialists in Ger
many and the party had only two members
in the Reichstag Now there were 5000 900
Socialists and 81 members OF tho Reichs-
tag.
The first business meeting OF the congress
will be held tomorrow. The question which
has been hotly discussed, as to whether
the Socialist party should assert it's right
to one OF the vice-presdencies Of the new
Reichstag, although it is causing consider
able agitation among the members. Ia not
likely to cause the disruption which was
predicted in many quarters.
1t may. indeed. be settled on the first
days meeting of the Congress-. 1t will be
advocated by Herren Bernstein and Voll-
mar. the champions of the new movement
for a revision of the party programme.
while Herren Bebel and Singer, who lead
the great Radical majority, will oppose II.
Herr Bernstein, in an interview with
THE Sun correspondent, admitted that he
expected to be beaten by a majority of
five to one, but he said that 1t was not
question of principle; it was one Of party
tactics that was in nowise personal matter
between its advocates and opponents.
The existence of the revisionists did not
mean that there was any desire for change
in the aims Of the party as a whoebut merely
change in the theory of social democracy
which had been made necessary by modern
conditions, especially those affecting in
dustry and agriculture. to which the social
list theories of the past we're no longer
applicable,
Of THE SUN that the revision movement
was practically undefipable. 1t could,
perhaps, he better described as a spiritual
tendency than as a policy. 1t was the re-
suit of an agitation by the younger genera
ton, who wish to rediscuss the party
principles.
The sessions of the congress are expected
to continue for week. OF the many reso-
lutions that will be discussed these three
are the most important:
That the Social Democratic party shall
take the initiative in the Rechstlg in intr o.
ducng political and social measures of re-
form.
That the party shall frame its down bills
instead of leaving the work of introducing
new legislation to the Govern ment. as here
tofore.
That an agitation comm ittee be formed
to instruct the public by speec hes and writ
mgs.
Special police arrangements have been
made, but up to the present they have not
been obtrusive. 1t is noticeable, however,
that the sale Of the EOr rderts, the Socialist
organ is not permitted at the railway sta
tons here or in Berlin,