Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1909-12-09
ORGANIZED GERMAN SOCIALISM.
(From the New York SUM


epoch Is opening in the history Of Ger
man socialism. These successes have not
been unexpected since the Junker ele-
ment made It's colossal blunder in tho
fight over imperial financial reform OF
insisting upon virtual exemption from
taxation for It's own class and heaping
all the new burdens of imperial expan-
sion upon the Industrial and commercial
sections Of tho popula ton; but q change
seems 10 have come over the complexion
of the socialist orsaniza ton itself.
1t has always been something Of a pux-
zle why so numerous and well drilled a
political sroup-it has at the present
time Ga, 90 enrolled members-should have
SO little actual influential effect upon
legislation. The party's national congress
which was held at Leipsic in the latter
part Of September seems to have found
out the reason. and In effect. II not in
words has applied remedy.
The cause Of tho party's failure in the
past, as the critics now explain, has
been its intransigence. A party which
was resolved to be always in opposition.
always to hamper the government even
In the most ordinary Of it's routine func-
lions. which opposed measures smacking
powers that he won an incidental advan-
tage. could hardly be regarded as pract'-
cal. ard there Is small room for wonder
II It's accomplishments have been virtual
~ nil. 1t was to combat this impractical
BILE attitude that the so-called rcforn,ist
movement was started within the orsa-
nization-a movement in the interest Of
practical politics. but down to tho pre-
ttx<t
The attitude Of tho congress Of Lcipsic
al last showed marked departure from
tradition. The discussion and votes in
the Reichstag on the financial reform
measure brought about the awakening.
At last |. penetrated the minds Of con-
siderable number Of socialist leaders
that voting against the death duties and
land taxes embodied In Chancellor Won
Rulows bill, for no reason save that
their enactment would perpetuate his
tenure Of office and give tho government
the financial resources It needed, was
poor sense and worse politics. Thus II
happened thai when a proposition was
made at Leipsic actually to cenaure
eeven deputies who had voted for these
taxes. not only was the motion mega
tived, but Herr Bebcl. the archpriest o.:
" his health had permitted him to follow
parliamentary proceedings A. the time
he would himself have voted for the i'm
post on testa,lentary SUGGESTIONS as pro-
pose by Prince Won Bulow.
In the long run. II IA true. the ire
constable faction succeeded in keeping
up a hold front. A motion proposed by
The Berlin contingent condemnnK tho
position OF socialist members In the
Peichstay who confessed themselves
ready to vote with the liberal groups
whenever a distinct advantage was in
sight was voted down. Then the -evolu-
tionary or extreme element had its in
ninRs. It secured the passage of a re-
solution confirming the action OF the con-
gress OF Dresden. which Rad condemned
reformsm In cxtenso and denounced ae-
cord with AIRY bourgeois party on any
pretext whatever. The resolution. how
ever was so qualified in the debate that
it's effect s discounted AS the matter
stands socialis, deputies are forbidden
to make even Temporary alliances with
other liberals, hut II they see fit to defy
the prohibition and vote with other par
ties Of the left on advantageous occa-
sions they are virtually assured Of i'm
munity from censure or discipline.
This change in the attitude Of the
party Is regarded as pregnant Of weighty
results. Not only will It's candidates 90
before tho people with stronger claim
for election. seeing that they can be re-
lied upon to take affirmative action. but
besides those who may he elected to the
Reichsta& OF other legislative body will
be infinitely more formidable because
their activities will not be confined to
defeating measures. good and bad alike.
but may become availa Bile also for coz
structive legislation.
1T has always seemed strange that a
party which showed so much power OF
orga nizat ton and so much shrcwdness in
the administration Of its internal affairs
should for 20 long handicap its policy
n the manner indicated. for the or
ganzation of the social Democratic party
is both wise and practical in an extra
ordinary degree. In its financial arrange
ments. for instance. II has shown the
keenest appreciation Of the Importance
of the sinews of war; ii not only has
money. but heaps OF money. From July
!. 1905, to June 50 1919. the central treas
ury received S276 SEA-. and SOS, rs was
set aside for the party reserve fund.
The reserve fund Is one Of the party
secrets; nobody knows how much there
Is in it--there must be several millions
now where it Is kept. If a German social
list Is asked where II IL he will simply
answer. Abroad" No doubt this Is the
truth. IN a country where tho govern
ment is apt TO be high handed in dealing
with Its radical opponents there might
be q good deal OF danger In keeping such
fund within reach Of the police. The
money. however. is unt1lceabie. It IL
confided to tho trusteeship Of leaders
whose names In socialist estimation are
synonyms for security. They do As they
please rega riding the fund. for although
the control OF 1t Is vested n0,ninally in
the annual national congress. no audit
has ever been demanded and no question
ever asked regarding Its disposition.
The central treasury OF the party is
| fattened from two sources. In tho hrst
place there are the contributions made
by the 6aS. a9 enrolled members. which to-
gethcr with the assessments Of the con-
feieratione Of the various German States
produced IN isos-oa b7i ,olo marks. The Sc
| cond source Of income Ia the enormous
newspaper. .,ook and pamphlet publish
ing business carried on by the party or
under its auspices. Altogether seventy
four daily papers are published by the
party. with a total subscription list last
year Of 1,04l. ass. and they bring in an
nualIy a gross sum OF about 100000
marks.
| Hsdee the newspaper the Socialist
party printing houses turn out vast