The morning journal-courier., 1908-11-23
Liberals Do Not Anticipate Accomplishing of Long Sought Government
 by People.
BUNDESRATH IN PATH
Legislative Body Appointed by Sov- CrclgnS Has No Desire for Representative Gov
 Crnmcnt,

Berlin, Nov 20 Tho debate in the Reichstag on the motions introduced by the socialists and radicals, de- manding changes in the constitution with the object nf making the chan cclor and ministers responsible to parliament and giving the sole power to the Reichstag to declare war, will probably begin on December . Tho debate Is expected to last one day, or two a' the most Tho advanced liberals whose aim is to convert the German political system into a govern mcnt responsible Co parliament do not anticipate much from tho present Roichstag because in the days when feeling ran the highest the party lead err would not agree to urge even the simplest resolutions uf crnsurc or in- quiry
 The radicals and socialists count upon making their first great cam paign in the elections of 1912. unless the house ie dissolved sooner The power Of associated mhnarchies form Ing tho German empire is enironched | III ' N' HiiIiIlNl WHA lll iflft 'llll- desrath which has equal legislative powers with the reichstag, and in the conservative and clerical parties. which, under the ancient system of the roichaag electoral districts. have the means for holding the majority in that body hy about one-third the votes east The bundesrath. which consists of nrty-cight members ap- pointed by tho sovereigns of the states of Germany, except one each from Hamburg Bremen and Luboc. stands directly across the path of B government responsible to the elected representatives of the people
 l The kings grand dukes. and princes who rule the federated states. also through ministers responsible to them alone. while willing to unite in limit Ing the freedom of initiative and speech on Inc part ot the king of Prussia ss emperor, are ono with him in their de- termination to resist representative government Fourteen votes in the Bundosratb against any amendment to the constitution win suffice for its re- 1oction The emperor. asking of Prus- sia, nominatcs seventeen of inc mem bers and, as consequence there Is no possible chance for the adoption of an amendment without his consent
 The radicals and socialists do not doubt that by cutting off the money could in inc end compel the united mouarchs to grant a full representa- | tive government, but they must first f command majority in the reichstag, and that. seemingly, is only possible through a prolonged and overwhelm-
 ing agitation for a encouragement of electoral districts so that the artisan class in tho industrial ceutors shall have equal ballot rights with the pro- tectcd rood-growIng interests which are opposed to 2 change.
 There has been mo change in the boundaries of the reiehstas constituen cies since the empire was formed. Dur | latons have increas from il00O,000 to 63OO0.0O The weight of the popula- ton has shifted from the country to the town districts, hence it Is possible for 3l per cent or the population to choose 56 per cent of the parliament The conservatives elect q member with an average of 1S,2&2 votes and the socialists with an average of 75,- 97t yotes SO that the political free thinker living In the trading and man ufacturing ccnters has ballot co ethcont one-fourth that of loyal peas ant muuarchists
 The socialists in 1907 boiled 3,259, 029 votes and have 4S members in the reichstaa The conservative par ties, win L5i97l votes have S5 mem,- bers and the clerical center with 2,145' 09S ballots, have l04 members Berlin with a population entItlIng fl 10 13 seats, is permitted to elect only six members while some Of the other
 large cities are represented in d sim liar ratio