Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-02-10

public - certain to result In the defeat Of
imperialism. the news from Germany has
The Temps considers the principal fea-
ture Of the situation to be the defeat Of the
socialists after series Of uninterrupted
tor te ssr had sa
prof1ted by the division Of the liberals. 1t
regards their defeat ~ due mainly to the
dissension. among the socialists themselves.
q decline In the prestige Of parliamentary
socialism and the transfer Of the middle
class votes, previously cast for socialist can
didates. And this because Of the treatment
gress.
The Temps for fact Is somewhat Of an
incompetent witness, or authority. because
It seeks always to lend "face' to govern
ment. whatever the government be.
80
The opinion of M. Juarez in Humanite L.
more serious and direct. namely: THE
great success Of German
Strength Of socialists In 1908 was
Socialism. largely due to temporary
causes and did not give
a true idea Of the strength Of social
ism In the empire. That success fol-
lowed Immediately after the violent strug-
gle on the customs tariffs between the
agrarians and the manufacturers. when
part of the free trade middle classes
voted for the socialists. who also gained
an overwhelming success in Saxony
through the anti monarchal agitation con-
seQuent upon the fight OF the crown
princess. Perhaps" says M. Juarez, even
the masses who observe effects. without
always realizing their causes. have felt
some disappointment that eighty socialist
members Of the reichstag, representing
100000 electors, exercised no visible IN
fuence on German politics..
That M. Juarez has placed his finger upon
the weak spot Is manifest The kaiser, VINO
boldly defled the apparent fnvulnerable co.
1f<io oHc lrooy fr1lI
the disappointment Of the socialist voter In
the provinces over the illusory promises OF
their leaders. Just what Herr Bebel has to
say, II anything, would be highly interest
The kaiser and his chancellor, at any
rate, have shown that they know something
of the art of government
Prince Won Buelow delivered speech
at banquet Of the committee on colonial
action on the 10th Of January. 1t Is in
structive to recall. after the battle. some of
his expressions before the elections.
The chancellor began by quoting the words
of Goethe, What is your duty? 1t is that
exacted by the mo-
chancellor ment" 1.-The colonies"
Quotes Goethe. he said. "are not only
the tombstone of
the activity Of nation, they may also
serve as union between the dozen frac-
ions which occupy the political stage in
Germany. "
II consider 1t, in a manner in the history
OF our parties, turning point, that on the
18th OF December the liberal and conserva
i've parties Joined cause with government.
May God grant that this Understanding
may serve as an example for the examina,
tlon OF other great national questions.
Inc center has always been a party
whose alliance could not be counted upon.
1t represents aristocratic, democratic reac-
t1onary, liberal, ultramontaine and national
interests. German politics should not be
aeltated as a ball in the interests Of q
The socialist party, in fact, has done
nothlng. The despotism and revolutionary
ardor of its chiefs sought to destroy all de-
sire to cooperate in positive reforms How
long will last that sort of seryitude of the
thousands Of German workmen?"
AT Carlsruhe German women for the first
time manifested their intention to take part
IN future elections. They undertook as a
with immense yellow placards which de-
ciared that they would not support candi-
dates who would not sustain, in the actual
electoral campaign, those who favored fe-
because 1t Is one Of the democratic fort
resses of South Germany, which in the last
elections felt most the effect of female in
reference.
The feminine sufrragists brought Doctress
Schermacher from Paris to aid them in
their propaganda and socialists and demo-
Gratis came to invoke the women who pro-
posed to take hand in German politics in
the future. "
In Germany, properly speaking, the par
Iiamentary regime does not exist. The con-
saitution of the empire dates from April 16,
1871. By its terms all the states Of Ger
many form an eternal union for the pro-
lection of the realm and the care of the
welfare of the German people," The su-
preme direction of the military and political
affairs of the empire is vested in the King
of Prussia, who in this capacity bears the
title of "Deutscher Kaiser" According to
article II Of the constitution, the emperor
represents the empire internationally and
can declare war If defensive, and make
peace, as well as enter into treaties with
other nations and appoint and receive am
bassadors The bundesrath and reichstag>
are charged with the legislative functions
of the empire.
The former is composed Of the repre-
sentatives of the individual states of Ger
many. the latter Of repre-
The Congress sentatives of the German
of Germany. nation. The fifty-eight
members of the bundles
rath are appointed by the governments of
the individual states The 397 men,
bers of the reichstag about one for
every ayleOa Inhabitants, are elected by
years. The reichstag has certainly the
power to vote laws and the budget, but
this is q sort or negative power, from the
fact that If it should pass a law it cannot
become effective unless adopted by the
bundesrath, In which Prussia holds the
means Of enforcing her will. Now since
the imperial government is only another
name for the Prussian government, it's
power over the reichstag Is supreme. Be-
sides, the government. not being provided
with responsible ministry, in the common
acceptation of that expression, the reich
stag, excepting its votes of credits, may
only act in manner purely platonic
The government for fact is the chan
cellor, who Is president of the council of
Prussian ministers, delegate from Prussia
to the bundesrath and president Of that
assembly. Germany thus is a personal
monarchy, tempered by chamber. which
may embarrass the government but cannot
impose upon 1t its will. The constitution
was made by Bismarck that he might on
occasion dispose of the entire power. Par
ties, except the socialists are in great part
territorial. The conservative-aerarians are
almost exclusively recruited in the Prussian
provinces of the east, the Catholics in the
Rhine provinces, the Observation-Disclosures
in Bavaria, the national liberals in Silesia
and Saxony. To these should be added the
Poles, Alsatians and Lorraines. In word,
by the constitution the reichstag is little
more than a consultative chamber as de-
d rolr