The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1908-11-19
CONSERVATIVES
ARE ENTRENCHED
Emperor Williams Surrender
Does Not Mean a Govern
ment by the Reichstag.
TOO MANY SMALL PARTIES
CONDITIONS WILL REMAIN AS
THEY ARE FOR SOME TIME.

Berlin. Nov. Is.-The German emper-
or has given his imperial pledge to hold
himself within close constitutional
bounds hereafter in matters concerning
affairs Of state. but, though the situa-
ton has cleared, serious questionings
have erisen in political circles as TO the
significance II the emperor's action with
respect to the future relations between
the reichstag and the executive branch
of the government.
While calm observers interpret the
emperor's surrender of what he had con-
sidered his prerogative as registering
remarkable victory for public opinion.
they fully recognize the fact that il
leaves Germany far removed from pop
ular government. The emperor, il Is
pointed out, yielded 10 the most impress
sive demonstration OF the peoples will
ever seen in Germany. but such an oc-
castor can hardly arise once in a gen.
Grafton. when the minds OF the whole
people are fixed with such unanimity
upon single demand. as in this case
yesterday, under these unusual cnndi-
lions, the reichstag. when the subject
OF the emperor's intervention in nation
al affairs came Up for debate was I'M
able To agree upon the simple course of
sending an address to the emperor set
ting forth the views of the members,
who were one in their opposition to his
niajesty's course.
Blocked by Conservatives.
No action could be taken, because the
conservatives, ON the pretext that the
reichstag did not possess the right to
address the crown. refused to cooper
ate. The radicals and socialists. how
ever. intend to attempt TO pass a reso-
luton demanding an amendment TO the
constitution making the ministers re-
sponsible to the reichstag, but il is al
ready certain this will be rejected
The conservatives win present united
front against all proposals Of this kind
They have everything to gain and moth
ing TO lose in maintaining the present
system. under which they supply The
ministers of the crown by traditional
rights and I'LL all the valuable diplomat
ie, military and civil positions in the
gift OF the government.
As conditions are now they are in a
position to create an atmosphere of DO
htical ideas which can cover the gov
ernmental policies. whereas a change TO
parliamentary government would sigui-
~ the surrender of immemorial privi-
leges ON their part
Too Many Parties.
The clerical party, while containing
democratic elements, is too accustomed
10 the traditions of authority acting
from above TO permit it to accept a To-
hucai transformation not in harmony
with that tradition
The liberal party is too permeated
with conservative ideas TO admit the
expectations that its representatives
would agree to support an amendment
shifting ministerial responsibility Who'll
iy 20 the reichstag. Nevertheless. the
liberals are likely to accept a cornpro-
mise measure giving the reichstag
greater influence i'm shaping the de-
cisions of the government.
This leaves only the radicals and So
ciaiists, with the possible assistance of |
the Poles. making together one-fourth
the membership of the house, to sun
port an out-and-out demand for parlia- !
mentary government
II is further pointed out that a lack NJ 1
large unified parties units Germany for |
parliamentary government. 1t would /
be impossible. with the present multi
piicity of parties in the reichstaC IN /
bring enough homogeneous elements To-
sether for the forming of a compa ct 1
capable of working together
tremendously for any length of time.
tor these reasons men best acquaint-
"a With the political characteristics of /
the German people say il will require |
long period of practical schooling in
politics before a parliamentary govern
nent can be introduced with beneficial
e f,v.f he