The Washington herald., 1906-12-16
CRISES STIR EUROPE.
Three Countries Face Grave
Political Problems.
KAISER MAY CARRY HIS POINT
Germans Rebel Against Tax Burden
20 Keep Up world Power Role.
Long Struggle Between Pope and
France I'm PrOspect-England Has
Church Separation Question.

London. Dec 15.-Rarely have affairs
presented pictures of such influence and
dramatic interest as at the present mo-
ment.
An Emperor is fighting his people upon
grave issue Of policy, religious war
has begun between republic and the
greatest Christian church. and Great
Britain is at a deadlock in the first stage
of another religious controversy, its
present guise being the elucation problem
but the real issue being the question Of
the separation of church and state
An outside observer who studies inn
partially great popular movements is
able usually to see the situation in
truer position. 1t is in this spirit that
the following brief observations upon the
German, French, and English crises now
pending are offered.
Germany Overburdened with Taxes.
The struggle in Germany IS not based
on a mere question Of colonial policy. II
is the eliminating protest Of the German
people against the financial burdens
which the Emperor's vast ambitions IN
world politics have imposed upon the
nation. Added to that is the almost re-
belnous opposition Of the general popu-
lace to heavy increase in the cost Of
food brought about by the prohibition OF
imports for the benefit Of the agraiaa
class. Germany is now the most tax
ridden Of progressive nations and the
patience OF the people is weil-nigh ex-
hausted
The Germans fully sympathize with the
Kaiser's ambitions for national greatness,
but they protest that this pace is 50
rapid IL is exhausting the vitality Of the
empire They are shocked and appalled,
by the revelations Of scandal and cr0el
atrocities in connection with colonial ad-
ministration, especially in Southwest
Africa.
Refehstag Not Representative.
The military spirit has gone mad in
certain directions and the Germans resent
it. The average patriotic German argues
IF all my sacrifices for the greatness Of
the Fatherland bring disgrace in the eyes
Of Christendom AS one Of the conse-
ouences. then the price is too great 20
pay"
It does not follow that the next Reich
stag will reject the government colonial
budget as il has done this week. 1t would
do so if it correctly voiced German
opinion but the Re.chstag is one Of the
most unrepresentative national legisla-
lures in the world II is impossible 10 be
otherwise under forty years OF the old dis
trfbution system. which the government
refuses 10 change Berlin. with two hum
.lred thousand inhabitants. for example
has the same representation in the Reich
stag as a district cf twenty thousand IN
Saxouv. There would be a great Increase
I'm the Socialist membership and dimnu-
ton Of the Clericals If the voice OF the
people prevailed.
II is Impossible yet TO forecast the result
Of the impending campaign There viii De
much beating Of drums and appeals Tor
support Of the Kaiser in creating world
empire. and Il is not at all impossible that
the Emperor will carry his point 1t is
certain, however. that the imperial pro
gramme will Hve 10 be moderate The
burden is greater than the people are will
ing 10 bear. and they viii find means, one
OF another, 10 tighten II.
Church Fight In France.
No outsider is called upon to express an
opinion upon the merits Of the French re
Ueious controversy. One may, perhaps.
be permitted 10 say that looking at the
publication from alternate points OF view.
each side has made the best possible
moves under the present circumstances
The Pope has certainly consulted the best
! interests Of the church in forcing the
struggle. The reason may be found for
/ this i'm the fact that for fifteen years a
great and significant change has been the
steady drifting away of the pOpulace from
/ religious convictions. This. also. has been
most marked in the urban population
/ II is not that the French people are de
veIoping antagonism to religion. The
change is far more dangerous than that
/ France is becoming not irreligious. bul
upreIigious. The church's only hope IN
/ combating this tendency to disintegration
! Is to make its cause a fighting cause. The
/ Pope clearly recognizes this, and has act
ed accordingly The government, on the
other hand. had no option but to meet the
challenge with unyielding insistence thai
the law Of the land must be obeyed.
| II is true that the law Of 1881. requir-
| ing notification Of all public meetings, ha6
not in contemplation religious services II
! its apDlication 1t is reasonably true tha
! the government would not dream of pass
/ ing such law as a new piece OF leglsl4
/ ton. Conditions indicate that long anC
bitter struggle between the Roman
/ Church and the French government Is
] inevitable II will be a bloOdless war j