Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1908-01-11
RIOTING IN BERLIN
Debate in Landtas on Suffrage Pro-
vok.s Demonstration.
GOVERNMENT IS AGAINST CHANGE
Demand for Ballot for All Men is
Refused.
THOUSANDS Fe Won BUELow
ALI Police Rtserv ID Out, but No
Arrests de.
PRESENT ELECT> < SYSTEM
Property auaiiacRtIo z pde IL
Impossible for wori<ii - lie to
Have Effective Vt
Law Making.
Demand for Ballot for All Men is
Refused
SYSTEM

BERLIN. Jan. 1O-A demand made in tho
Prussian Landtag today for manhood suf-
frage in Prussia brought out the statement
from Prince Won Buelow. the imperial chan
cellor. that while the matter required re-
form. the government did not consider that
manhood suffrage would be good for the
state and that secret voting would not be
permitted
This statement was distinctly unpopular
with the people, who had gathered in large
numbers outside the building Rioting be
gan and the police were speedily rein
forced. The demonstrants spread through
out the city and 10 control them the police
had 70 charge with drawn swords A
number OF the rioters were injured and
several OF tl,e police sustained Wounds.
The Voerwarts, the leading socialist
organ, is distributing extras this after
noon declaring that the hour has struck
for the masses to demand representation in
Parliament
After being driven away from the neigh
borhood Of the Landtag building. the crowd
made its way in the direction of the im-
perial palace. The police barred the streets
leading to the palace but did not clear
the square facing tho imperial residence,
where the family of the emperor are now
living In spite of the cold weather, the
crowd grew rapidly, II was composed
principally OF the unemployed, of which
It is estimated that there are at present
no less than $1,000 in Berlin
In the square some OF the demonstrators
became disorderiy and were at once ar
rested.
The entire police force of Berlin has
been called out for duty in the principal
parts OF the city. There have been coll
lisions and manifestants in several OF the
rpain thoroughfares and these resulted in
numerous arrests.
speech OF Won BueIOw.
Prince Won Buelow began his remarks
by admitting that the system required re-
form. The government had been studying
the question for long time. but he did
not yet know exactly what direction the
reform would take, whether Improvement
in the present system, or a complete al
iteration on other lines Manhood sur
frage. as Il exists fqr the Reiehstag. how
ever, would not bes for the good of the
state and secret voting would not be
permitted. The reform would, have to
take into consideration the position of the
middle classes and the qualifications Of
age, property and education must have
apme weight. As soon the position of
the government was ready II would be
communicated TO the LSndfag. but the
chancellor did not expect II would be at
this session. Prince Won Buelow concluded
his remarks amid storm Of Kisses and
cheers.
Prince Won Buelow declared that the
conservative party would not permit the
solid foundations of the Prussian elective
system to be shaken. and this statement
was subscribed TO by Herr Malkewltz,
spokesman for the party.
On the other hand. Herr Porsch, speaker
for the center party, said he was in favor
of manhood suffrage
Herr Hraus of the national liberals was
I'm favor of reform in the electoral system
but not manhood suffrage.
Herr Fisohbeck, leader of the radical
liberals, said he would not rest until man.
hood suffrage had been granted
The motion for manhood suffrage was
rejected without division.
Present Electoral system.
Under the present electoral system in
Prussia there are three classes OF electors
Up to the present time the laboring man
has been completely deprived of reprdsen-
tation in the Prussian Parliament owing
To the TACT that he was overwhelmed at
the final elections by the other two classes
The cateSories OF electors are formed ar
bltrarily by dividing the total amount oi
taxation received by the state into three
equal parts A small number OF wealthy
Of taxation, select certain number OF
men from their ranks to act as final vot-
ers. a more extended number of less
wealthy persons, who pay the next third
OF the fun amount Of taxation choose an
equal number of final electors, while the
third class Of voters, composed of the re-
mainder Of the population, and including
The worlunen, whose numbers reacfA to thC
millions. are allowed TO select 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 th'
final vote. at which the representatives o
the two first named classes always vot,
soiidly together, thus shutting out any pos
sibility of the election OF representatlv,
Of the working classes
prince won Buelow, the imperial chan
eellor has made known his intention o
epeaking on this subject during the debat
which Is to follow the presentation OF tn
Interpolation
The crowd before the parliament baild
Inc Increased rapidly and soon numbere,
nsnv thousands. When the doors wer
onened those nearest TO them attempte,
10 force their way into the building Th
polioe resisted and managed 20 keep IN
neople back dozen men did force al
entrance, but they were quickly haue,
back by the police.
The police were sim trying to maintsh
order when Prince Won Bueiow drove NJ
His presence was greeted with long ant
ronical cheers. accompanied by much hoot
ing and shouts OF; I'VE want manhood sof
Frage" The police IN the meantime ha'
been strongly reinforced. ana fearing tina
ihe ffsibg excitement OF the crowd woui
cad to violent disturbances. they decide
20 clear tho approaches 70 the building
rhey drove the crowd before them int
he side streets. As the people were bein
hustled away they hissed continually. tn
Dolice ala not draw their weapons and n
arrests were made The manifestants re
NAMED In the vicinity OF the building.
bank ef Adair Robbed.