The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1908-12-23
BY PHIL GILMORE SiMMS.

BY PHIL GILMORE SIMMS.
Special Correspondence to The Press
BERLIN, Dec. 14.-Civil war, or
at least the military occupation of
the empire by the kaiser's army, is
not at all an impossibility in Ger
many.
1t is a sensational statement,
but quite true. Furthermore, if he
were put to it, Emperor Wilhelm
II could, If he desired, retain every
atom of power he seems to enjoy
SO hugely.
Listen.
According to the census of 1905,
the empire had 60,000,000 popula-
ton. OF these people, the kingdom
of Prussia, Williams own heredi-
tary state, had 100000. AS the
figures now stand-the annual in
crease for the empire being nearly
1000, 000-out of 100000 people
Prussians would number about 49,
100000, for Prussia has grown
faster than other states in the en-
pire.
In the reichstag there are 397
deputies, or members. OF these 236
are Prussians. But suppose the
people we're so enraged that they
should, through their only instru-
ment, the reichstag, strike at the
kaiser. As king of Prussia-an
absolute ruler of his own kingdom
as the world knows-Wilhelm II
could throw his army into every
other state and city in the empire
and force it to come to his feet.
Strategically, geographically, by
virtue of its size, and in many
other respects, Prussia holds a
powerful hand. Of course, no one
expects or looks for such a thing
to happen, but there is nothing
but the necessity for it, and one
mans within to keep it from hap
pening.
OF all countries of the world,
Germany is military. This militar-
ism-expressed through the one
man at the head of both army and
navy, the kaiser-is what the di-
vided people must unite against
and put into a subordinate position
where it belongs.
The army, the diet deputies are
practically one in saying, should
be subservient to the people, not
their master Yet the words of the
kaiser still echo through the land:
Soldiers, I shall expect you, if
the time comes, to fire upon your
mothers!"
Hep-hep--hep, That's the way
things move in Germany, The sa-
lutte is the proper thing every
place. If a waiter in a hotel fetches
you dish of prunes, he salutes.
You are saluted dozen times be-
tween the street door and your
chamber Watchmen at every
railroad crossing stand at atten.
ton, whatever the time or weather,
as the train goes laundering by
and ] am not certain, but | believe
the street sweepers present arms
every time they see horse ap
preaching!
Suppose you were taken to the
club of your Berlin friend. Suppose
he excused himself to telephone
home to his wife, for instance. L
six men entered the room, 70,
would be expected to click your
heels together, bow stiffly from The
waist, repeating your name at eacl
bow. And there must be bow TO
each man. In their turn, the,
would click their heels togethe
md say Schmidt" "Shoder!" an,
SO on until you had the name o
each.
| only mention this to show I,
what lengths the military idea pre-
walls. The trees In the country ar
planted in battalions. regiments
single and double files, skirmis!
formation and so on, while UT
doubtedly the cabbages are almos
Invariably grown military blue.
William Harbutt Dawson. a
Englishnian,. author Of many work
on the German tangle, includin
sGarman Socialism and Ferdinan
LaHalle. Prince Bismarck an
State Socialism, THE EvoIutio
OF Modern .GcrEans.' and SO on
sass not. He believes less tina
oneil,i,ll would vote for ccnstlt,
tional and political freedom.
Dawson maintains that the f:eI
man public II not nswspape
reading public. that II cares not
iot, ~ yerY little Tor politics. tina