The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-01-10
Want To VOTE.
Uerman Socialists Create a Sen
sati0n in Berlin.
Hold 35 Mass Meetings in the
Capital.
MARCH IN PROCESSION
Demonstration in Front of the
Parliament Building.
Large Body of Police Called Out
to Keep Peace.

Berlin, Jan. 10.-The most intense
eAcltement mas been aroused here by
an interpolation presented recently to
the Prussian antag by liberal mem
Der demanding the Introduction Of
MANHOOD suffrage in the elections of
members of the lower house of the
Prusslan lantag. Last night no fewer
than 35 socialist mass meetings ware
held in Berlin, as well as many others
In the country districts in favor of
the movement. Today before the
lantag convened socialists to the num-
Der of 1000 marched in procession
by the parliament building. This
demonstration assumed a. somewhat
threatening aspect and large body of
ponce was called to the scene. They
surrounded the entrances to the build
ing, out there was no actual disorder.
Under the present electoral system
IN Prussia there are three classes of
electors. Up to the present time the
laboring man has been completely de-
prived of representation in the Prus-
sian parliament owing to the fact that
ne was overwhelmed at the final cleo
tons by the other two classes.
The categories of electors are formed
arbitrarily by dividing the total amount
OF taxation received by the state into
tnree equal parts. A small number of
wealthy persons paying the first third
or total of taxation select a certain
number of men from their ranks TO act
as final voters A more extended num-
Der OF less wealthy persons who pay
the next third of the full amount of
taxation, choose an equal number of
final electors, while the third class of
ry0to
the population and including the work.
men, whose numbers reach to the mill
lions, are allowed to select a number
of final voters equal to that chosen by
each Of the other two classes. The
total number of final electors selected
by this process then proceed to cast
the final vote, at which the representa-
tiveS of the first named classes always
vote solidly together, thus shutting out
any possibility of the election of a rep
resentative of the working classes.
Prince Won Buelow, the imperial
chancellor. has made known his inten-
tion of speaking on this subject during
the debate which is to follow the
presentation of the Interpolation.
The crowd before the parliament
building increased rapidly and soon
numbered many thousands When the
doors were opened those nearest to
them attempted to force their way into
the building. The police resisted and
~
dozen men did force an entrance but
they were quickly hauled back by the
police.
The police were still trying to main
tain order when Prince Won Buelow
drove up. His presence was greeted
with loud and ironical cheers, accom-
panied by much hooting and shouts of
I'VE want manhood suffrage The
police in the meantime had been
strongly reinforced and fearing that the
Wis of hn xxyn1 70 viz
lent disturbances they decided to clear
the approaches to the building. They
drove the crowd before them into the
side streets. AS the people were being
hustled away they Kissed continually.
The police did not draw their weapons
and no arrests were made. The mani
festants remained in the vicinity of the
building.
When the debate on the suffrage
question opened Prince Won Buelow
declared that the conservative party
would not permit the solid founda-
tions of the Prussian elective system
to be shaken and this statement was
subscribed to by Herr Malkewitz.
spokesman of the party. Herr Porsch,
speaker for the center party, said he
was in favor of manhood suffrage.
Herr Kraus of the national liberals
was in favor of reform in the elector-
al system, but not manhood suffrage.
Herr F1schbeck, leader of the radi-
cal liberals, said he would not rest
until manhood suffrage had been
granted. The motion for manhood
suffrage was rejected without divi-
sion.
The Vorweartz, the leading socialist
organ. is distributing extras this af-
ternoon declaring that the hour has
struck for the masses to demand repre-
sentation in parliament After being
driven away from the neighborhood of
the Iandtag building, the crowd made
it's way in the direction of the imperial
palace. The police barred the streets
leading to the palace, but they could
not clear the square facing the imperial
residence, where the family Of the en-
peror are now living. In spite of the
cold weather, the crowd grew rapidly.
1t was composed principally of the un-
employed of which it is estimated that
there are at present no less than $4,000
in Berlin. In the square some of the
demonstrators became disorderly and
were at once arrested.
The entire police force of Berlin has
been called out for duty in the principal
parts Of the city. There have been COL
lisions and manifestations in several
Of the main thoroughfares and these
resulted in numerous arrests.
The most serious encounter was at
the Kurfuesrten bridge. Here the po-
lice had to charge with drawn sabres.
The motion for manhood suffrage was
discussed. in 1andtag amid great up
roar and finally rejected without d.
vision.