The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-09-26
Germany's Socialism.

1dA. I1uWII udAey, ulSCuSSlHS the pOllC-
ical situation in Germany in Gunton's
Magazine, suggests that the high tariff
law passed by the reichstag last Deem
Der, does not harmonize very well with
the welfare Of Germany since its highest
schedules are designed to exclude needed
the benefit Of country squires and the do
nestle agricultural products. The food
stuffs tariff means a considerable In
crease in the price of food to the German
people, especially hard on the wage earn
ing class, who will have to get an increase
of wages or consent to a lower standard
Of living. The cost Of manufacturing will
be increased by increased wages and
lower standard Of living will generate de-
creaslng efficiency on the part Of
labor, both calculated to impair the adj
vantages Germany now has attained as a
competitor for the markets of the world.
Mr.. Maxey thinks it is possible, judg-
ing from the rapid progress Of socialist
strength shown at the June election, that
social democracy may obtain, ultimately,
a majority in the reichstag. which would
greatly trouble the KAISER. d j
The new reichstag will have major
ity Of 224, consisting Of conservatives,
clericals and national liberals, who will
support the government in it's more i'm
portant measures-support of military and
naval defenses2 and army Unreasonable,
Count Won Bulow finds himself confronted
by minority of 117radicals. and IS South
German democrats and social democrats
202 in all. ~ 80 =. ~.
The agrarian conservatives, the loudest
champions Of the new tariff, did their best
to prevent the authorization of new COM
mercial treaties but they could not carry
this. = The new reichstag will have to
consider and ratify number Of new
commercial treaties, which the govern
ment expects to negotiate and untilize
for reducing rates on foreign foodstuffs,
so taking the edge off the very, high duties
on such products .. t::
If the social democrats ever get in a
position to%control legislation they will
bring about a. revision of tariff and their
program neW includes a strenuous EFF
fort to control all the liberal elements,
Including what remains OF the national
liberals, the grand old party which did
much for Germany in the earlier period
Of the empire. Il, "a
It is claimed by the social democratic
leaders that their large vote at the June
election included not a few national lib
erals. Certainly, the: fact that the sue
cesses Of social democracy were won in
all parts of Germany is suggestive of
the growth of the party, which Bismarck
encouraged to activity. The kaiser not
long ago characterized the social demo
Gratis as ,"wretches,' but they are not SO
bad as painted !.
They demand betterment Of material
conditions odstuffs, duty free, the priv
silege Of criticising the government re-
mova1 or modification Of the press laws,
tariff revision. 81 electoral reform, among
other policies; most of which appeal to
the people in the storm and stress of the
fstruggle for mere existence. It is not
impossible, indeed, that some day com
binatien of the social democrats and lib
eral elements may control legislation in
the reichstag, the sense of responsibility
preventing the extreme radical element
from obstructing needed legislation by
impractical fads.s