Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-04-15
SOCIAL DEM0CRAC
It's Growth in the United
States.
EDWAR BERNSTEIN
TALKS IN SATISFACTORY TERMS
OF ITS PROGRESS.
A Young Leader in Germany Tells of
Its Status in That
Country.
Special Correspondence of The Evening Star.

Special Correspondence Of The Evening Star
BERLIN, April 8, 1906
1.-The growth of socialism or social democ-
racy In the United States is something
which gives the European socialist consid-
cradle satisfaction. We informed that
nearly 100000 votes were cast for social
democratic candidates in the last election"
The preceding remark was made by Ed
ward Bernstein, leading German socialist
and prominent member of the reichstag.
When asked whether or not German So
cfalism and American socialism were one
and the same thing, Mr.. Bernstein said:
1.-THE principles underlying the party or
ganization and beliefs are the same the
world over, but local conditions bring about
different forms of activity. There Is not
very much touch as yet between the
American and European socialists. for the
American branch does not send delegates
to the International conference, which is
held at Brussels. They have right to
representation in that body, but America
lies so far away and as rule, the social
lists are short of funds.
Edward Bernstein.
Edward Bernstein is one of the younger
leaders of the socialists in Germany. Herr
Bebel, the acknowledged head of the party,
and several of his influential contemporaries
are getting along in years. and though
still active, it will not be long before their
retirement takes effect. The places Of these
men will be taken by the younger members
of the party, who have in the meantime
developed the qualities necessary to leader
ship. Edward Bernstein is notable factor
in this younger element. man of slight
build and unimpressive physical appear
ance, his power lies rather in a convincing
earnestness and unselfish devotion to
principle. Highly educated, no mean lin
gust, and with an unusually broad expert
ence in the life of nations other than Ger
man, his parliamentary career of the past
three years has proved him to be a most
valuable worker in the socfalistic field. For
some time the editor of a socialist paper
in Switzerland and later in London, he
rendered himself Objectionable to the Ger
man government and for ten years was
not allowed to return to his native country.
AS soon as he did return he became a prom
inent figure in the socialist party and was
elected to the reichstag from Breslau, an
Industrial stronghold. He Is a resident of
Berlin, but in Germany, as in many other
countries, actual residence is not a requi-
site of representation from any parliament
tary district.
"The public ownership of natural monopo-
lies appears to be the most practical tenet
of the American socialist party" said Mr..
Bernstein, "and as the Industrial life of
the United States becomes more and more
the dominant feature In the economies of
the nation socialism will will increase and
make its power felt in politics"
When asked why cooperation had made
such slow Roadway in the United States
and was SO widespread and successful in
Europe Mr.. Bernstein said Il think this
is due almost entirely to the great business
enterprises of private capital. The depart
ment stores and supply institutions which
furnish everything the people need take the
place of cooperative effort. They buy in
large quantities and sell at such low prices
that the practical results are the same as
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tion Where the effect of these large enter
prises is not felt there has been some at
tempt at cooperation in the United States
and In a number of cases the results have
been successful and advantageous to those
entering into the combinations.
He is a Busy Man
Mr.. Bernstein is busy man. As legis-
lator journalist, review writer and public
speaker his days are long and crowded.
His work is all the more effective in that
he is known as conservat-ve socialist for.
as he says himself, II am no Utopian." He
believes that most notable progress is
being made in converting the German peo-
pie to the socialist way of thinking, and In
the marked paternalistic character of the
German government he nnds evidence or
socialistic influence.
In the city of Berlin practically every
natural monopoly is controlled by the gov
eminent, either through actual ownership
or supervisions resulting to the benefit of
the workingmen and In revenue to the city
and state
When asked whether there was any pros
pect in the immediate future of republican
ism triumphing over monarchiaI form of
government, Mr.. Bernstein shook his head
doubtfully and said that such event was
only most remote possibility It IS
have advanced in power in Germany. Their
theories are radical. but their practice is to
work for something within the limits of
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