New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1908-11-19
GERMANY DUBIOUS YET
EMPEROR,S act NOT CLEAR
Radicals Want Ministry SubOrdi-
mated to Reichstdg.

Berlin, Nov 1s.-The German Emperor has
given his imperial pledge to hold himself within
close constitutional bounds hereafter in matters
concerning affairs OF state but, though the sit
uation has cleared serious questions have arisen
in political circles to the significance OF the
Emperor's action with respect to the future re-
lations between the Reichstag and the execu-
tive branch of the government
While calm observers interpret the Emperor's
surrender Of what he had considered his pre-
rogative as registering a remarkable victory for
public opinion they fully recognize the fact that
it leaves Germany far removed from popular
government. The Emperor, it is pointed out
Welded 10 the most impressive demonstration OF
the peoples will ever seen in Germany, but an
occasion can hardly arise once in a generation
when the minds of the whole people are fixed
with such unanimity upon single demand. as
in this case.
Vet even under these unusual circumstances,
the Reicbstag. when the subject of the Emperor's
intervention in national affairs came UP for
debate, was unable to agree upon the simple
course of sending address to the Emperor
setting forth the views of the members or the
Reichstag who were in their opposition to
his ma jesty's course. No action could be taken
because the Conservatives refused to cooperate
on the pretext that the Reichstag did not possess
the right to address the Crown The Radicals
and Socialists intend to attempt to pass reso
luton demanding amendment to the constitu-
ton making the ministers responsible to the
Refchstag but il is already certain that this
resolution will be rejected.
The Conservatives will present united front
against all proposals Of this kind. They have
everything to gain and nothing 70 lose in main
tanning the present system, under which they
supply the ministers os the Crown by traditional
right and I'LL all the valuable diplomatic, mill
tary and civil positions in the gift of the govern
ment AS conditions now, they are in
position to create atmosphere Of political
ideas which can cover the governmental poll
cies. whereas a change to parliamentary govern
rnent will signify the surrender OF inmemorial
privileges on their part. Their interest there
fore. nanifestly lies in keeping the Emperor and
the Cabinet free from parliamentary control,
since under normal circumstances the Conserva-
tfves are able to shape public policy.
The Clerical party and the Liberal party are
not likely to agree to support an amendment
shifting ministerial responsibility wholly to the
Peichstag thus leaving only the Radicals and
Socialists with the possible assistance of the
Poles making together barely one-fourth the
membership of the House, TO support an out
and-Out demand TOT government
1t is further pointed out that a lack of large
unified parties units Germany for parliamentary
government II would be impossible, with the
present multiplicity OF parties in the Reichstag
70 bring enough homogeneous clements to-
gether for the forming OF compact majority,
capabie Of working together harmonously for
any length OF time. Even Chancellor Won BIZ
lows present alliance of Conservative and Lib
ersI elements has shown on more than one occa-
sion signs of disintegration, yet these bloc"
par rites would contemplate with dlsmay a situa-
ton where the Clerieals. Socialists and other
opposition parties might get majority OF the
seats from the coalition and demand to take the
reins of government.
For these reasons men best acquainted with
the political characteristics of the German peo-
pie say that IT will Eequre long period of prac-
tical schooling in politics before parliamentary
government can be introduced with beneficial
results FOR the Fathsrland.