New-York tribune., 1908-11-23
| FIGHT FOR POW WER
THE GERMAN CAMPAIGN.
People Not Likely to Get Conces-
sions from Present Reichstdg.

Berlin Nov. 22-The debate in the Reichstag
on the motions introduced by the Socialists and
Radicals demanding changes in the constitu-
ton, with the object of making the Chancellor
and ministers responsible to parliament. and Civ
ing the sole power 70 the Reichstag to declare
war, will probably begin on December . The
debate is expected TO last one day or two at the
most
The advanced Liberals. whose aim is TO con
vert the German political system into gov
ernment responsible to parliament. do not ex-
pect much aid from the present Reichstag, be
cause in the davs when feeling ran highest the
party leaders would not agree to urge even the
simplest resolution Of censure or inquiry The
Radicals and Socialists count or making their
first great campaign in the elections of 1912,
unless the house is dissolved before that time
The power of the associated r1onarchies form
ing the German empire is tntrenched in two
principal vays-in the Bundesrath which has
equal legislative powers with the Reichstag. and
in the Conservative and Clerical parties. which
have, under the ancient system OF the Reichstag
electoral districts the means Of holding the ma
jority in that body by about one-third the votes
cast. The Bundesrath. which consists of fifty
eight members appointed by the sovereigns Of
the states OF Germany. except one each from
Hamburg. Bremen and Lubec, stands directly
across the path of a government responsible TO
the elected representatives Of the people.
The kings. grand dukes. dukes and princes
who rule the federated states, also through min
listers responsible TO them alone while willing to
unite in limiting the freedom of initiative and
speech the part Of the King of Prussia as
Emperor, support him in a determination to
sist representative government Fourteen votes
in the Bundesrath against any amendment to
the constitution suffice for its rejection The
teen Of the members. and there is therefore no
possible chance for the adoption of an amend
ment without his consent.
The Radicals and Socialists do not doubt that
by cutting off the money appropriations to the
Reichstag they could in the end compel the
united monarchs 10 grant full representative
government, but they must first command a
majority in The Reichstzg and that seemingly
is possible only through a prolonged and over
wfelming agitation for a rearrangement Of
electoral districts, that the artisan classes IN
the industrial centres shall have equal ballot
rights with the protected food growing interests,
which opposed 10 a change.
There has been 10 change in the boundaries
of the Reichstag constituencies since the empire
was formed In the last thirty-seven years their
population has increased from 41.O00.o0O to g.
600, 900. The weight Of the population has shift
ed from the country to the town districts. and
therefore Il Is possible for 81 per cent of the popu
lation 10 choose SIS per cent Of the Parliament
The Conservatives elect member with an aver
age Of 1922 votes and the Socialists with
average Of 1871 votes that the political free
thinkers living IN trading and manufacturing
centres have a ballot equal to one-fourth that
Of the loyal peasant mOnarchists.
The Socialists in 1907 polled 3,25sG29 votes
and have forty-three members IN the Rechstag.
The Conservative parties. with 1,549.741 votes. /
have eighty-f1ve members. and the Clerical Cen
ire. with 2145.098 ballots. has 104 members /
Berlin. with population emitting il TO thirteen
seats. Is permitted 10 elect only six members, /
Fhile some CT the other large cities are repre- {
5ented in a similar ratio.