The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-07-11
Germany, Like England,
Has It's. DUN Special Trouble

Liberals. rallied to him. They expect
ed him to give his policy q Liberal
tinge. But that was not his view: he
went his own way. glad Of Liberal
support when he could get 1t. but not
disposed to modify his ideas for the
purpose. though ready from time 70
time for . bargain. Those Liberals
who were attached to what were
thought principles disliked this policy
After time they seeded" In order
to champion their doctrines, from the
National Liberal Party. which since
then has lost Its doctrinaire character
and become opportunist, by substitute
ing nationalism for liberalism.
The German Conservatives have
usually followed the Prussian Junker-
party In supporting the government
SO long as Its measures squared with
their interests; and the Centre or
Roman Party has done much the same.
The idea of the nation has never re-
ceived from the one or the other such
sacrifice either of interest or Of prin-
ciples. Prince Buelow, on the oc-
casion referred to. made an appeal to
the Liberals, who lately when out
voted walked out of the Finance Com
mittee, to resume their cooperation
with the government. The chancel-
lor feels that he could get on very well
Witk tnS l<tDSTdlb, Out IOE tHC.N l<hUcEdl
principles. He addressed himself much
in the same tone to the Centre Party
and to the Conservative and Agrarian
groups. Then followed a passage
which 10 of great interest. because 1t
CONVEYS In the rough. the German
theory of government. The Chancel-
lor said he would not allow himself to
be forced to depart from 1.-THE line Of
policy prescribed by reasons of state"
In other words, the Executive repre-
sents the nation. and Its policy must
consist in the pursuit of the nations
aims. from which no party interest or
doctrine must cause 1t to diverge.
The Governments Part.
The state Is the sum of the interests
OF the whole community, which in
cludes all the parties, and should there
fore be paramount. THE government
cannot" said the Chancellor, become
the business manager of the Conserva-
tives." That, again, Is. from the ma
tional point of view, a sound posi-
ton, To Germans 1t seems quite
natural that the nation should tower
above all parties and that the govern
ment should be the organ of the ma
ton. and not that OF any party. From
that point of view the Chancellor, who.
In the expression Of the theories OF
government just recited was beyond
doubt sincere, felt at liberty to lee
ture the parties one after another on
their duty to the state. The Liberals
ought not to desert the debates be-
cause they were outyoted. The Con-
servatives ought not to set themselves
against death duties nor to wish to
press hard upon trade. This part OF
the speech was well sumffed upfn a
sentence declaring that any party
whose actions proved detrimental to
the national work would sooner or
later be called to account by the coun-
try. That is principle which holds
good in all countries and in all ages.
Prince Buelow's reference to his own
position and his own future is capable
Of various interpretations. He will
remain at his post so long as the EN-
peror thinks him useful and SO long
as he himself feels that he can be of
service to his country. That is the
sound principle for a minister who
serves the state and not a party. The
Chancellor is of course, a permanent
official. not party leader. While he
has the confidence Of the Emperor
and while his faith in his own useful
ness is undated, he will remain where
he is.
Prince Buelow told the various par
ties very clearly that the days are
over when they can remain supreme,
and that they will be digging their
own graves" IL they do not withdraw
In time from positions which are in
defensible. He acknowledged that
they might be strong enough to wreck
the inheritance tax. but he protested
that. If they did wreck 1t. they would
be opening the door to the death
duties. which they dislike still more.
1t will be interesting to see what
weight the party managers, and the
party behind them, give to these ex-
hortations. Sensible and fair minded
politicians everywhere must recognize
that real property ought to bear it's
fair share of taxation. The question
is, what Is the amount of that fair
share, In view of all the circum-
stances of the country in which 1t is
to be levied? That. OF course. every
must decide for itself.