New-York tribune., 1907-01-27
THE GERMAN ELECTIONS.

Emperor William is probably pretty well sat
ished. II is true that he apparently missed
his aim. He struck at the Centre and he hit
the Left. But that diversion Of impact scarcely
matters. Centre and Left were alike Ohnox-
ious to him. and he is probably as we'll pleased
TO have smitten one the other. IL was
largely because of their temporary alliance
with the Social Democrats that he became ex-
acerbated against the Clericals. He may not
have weakened the Centre much. If indeed at
all, in itself But he seems so TO have weak
ened the Left as 10 make any future alliances
between the two Intellectual for embarrassing
his government That is achievement enough
for one election. 1t gives 10 his cOngratulatory
message To his Chancellor the ring OF hearty
sincerity.
How sOrely stricken the Social Democrats are
may be judged from the returns. In 200 dis
tricts they gained one seat and lost 20, net
loss OF 10. If the same ratio should be main
tained in the other districts. their total loss
they had 81 members, and in its predecessor they
had -. There is. then. Il prospect that this
election has put them back 10 lower figures
than they had before the election OF 1903
loss of 30 would leave them only - seats.
Moreover. il is likely that the ratio of losses
will be maintained. if not actually increased. in
the second elections which must be held in
al least 1872 districts for in those contests the
other parties are pretty sure to unite against
that which they regard as the common foe of
all Whether there has been falling off Of
the Social Democratic vote commensurate with
the number Of seats lost by the party. or whether
the result reported has been attained by get
ting out million more Of those who have
hitherto neglected TO vote-a neglect for which
the German electorate is nOtOrious-we can
not vet determine. IL now seems probable that
the latter will prove 10 be the case and if so
it VIII be cause for sincere cOngratuation 10
the empire. There is reason 10 believe that
only because Of the abstention OF millions of
voters from the polls have the Social Demo
Gratis been able TO cast larger popular vote
than any other party
II IS possible also. that there has been some
dlsintegratOn Of the Social Democrat party
There should he. for that party" has really
been for some years n cOngeries Of incongru-
ous factions. It's name suggests It's conglom
crate character. A part of it. under Herr
Bebel. is purely socisIistic and we'll deserves
the name Of Socialist which some Incorrectly
give TO the whole. Another and probably larger
part Is not socialistic at all. but is almost
purely democratic The two factions have gen
orally worked together pretty smoothly. but il
would not be surprising II find that many OF
the Democrats have gone over to the Radicals
with whom they logically belong or even 70
the Liberals. Thus we note that in one Berlin
district the Social Democrats lost 2T5 votes and
the Radicals gained 1.s00 the Radicals car
ried Bremen and other places formerly held
BY the Social Democrats and the National Lib
erals won Magdeburg and other places in which
the Social Democrats were formerly all power
ful Fuller returns. tho holding of the second
elections and analysis Of the popular vote
must be awaited before the passing of final
judgment. but there certainly seems reason to
:hink that the growth Of he Social Democratic
party. which has been one Of the most note
NorthT features of German politics, has re-
cei-ed a serious If not decisive check.
If the ClCricals just about hold their own
as now seems probable, they will have cause
for satisfaction in the maintenance Of thair
party integrity hut none for exuItntion over
The government. Indeed with all their seats
.lled IN the last Reichstag their rosttion
will be much less influential than before. for
the reason fhat they Will not have so available
an ally 70 make MP an anti-ministcrial major
ity occasion. With 100 Centrists and So or
more Social Democrats in the Chamber of 3a7
the governments position would have been as
before, uncomfortable and uncertain. With 1Ol
Centrists and not more than 20 Social Demo
"rais-that IS all the party organ of the latter
now hopes to Secure-an effective and dolni
nant government "bloc' may be maintained
The government will doubtless use its victory
with wise moderation. as 10 make possible
the formation of such bloc and 10 nro
mote the further disintegration Of The hostile
factions ON the whole this forty-cghth ami
versary of the Emperor's birth may well he
celebrated with hearty reIOcings mt the i'm
perial palace.