Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-01-02
GERMANY And THE GERMAN STATES

project relative to extension of the sys-
tenn Of workmen's insurance and in par
ticular to provide for the maintenance of
widows and orphans. 1t is not. the first
time. but it dates from the new tariff
in 1906. When Prince Won Buelow pro- |
posed to increase the corn tax the Catho-
lie center only gave Its assent on the |
underSta nding that the proceeds should |
be set aside to form the nucleus of a !
widows and orphans fund. 1t was then
enacted that 1910 should be the date
when the fund should first be distributed. |
The revenue from the tax was so small
it was thought it would be postponed. but
it appears that the tax is to be retained.
Critics of the emperor's financial plans
do not conceal their surprise. but ask
where the money to execute these plans
is to come from.
There is ground, indeed. for the in
quiry. The estimates recently presented
show an anticipated deficit Of $50 100000
to be covered by a loan. Technically
there can be no deficit on the imperial
budget. All outstanding amounts must
be covered within three years by the So
called 'matricular contributions of the
federated states. =. But there is evidence
that the states have recently refused tot
pay the enormous sums demanded of
them, and the financial reforms of last
year fixed their Contribution at 40 pfen-
nigs a head till 1914. Nothing more can
be obtained from this source.
There is a heavy deficit destined to be-
come still heavier. Such is the situation
confronting the new chancellor. but he
has not yet given an idea of what he PRO-
poses to do. and it is quite probable that
he will leave the matter to the initiative
and genius of the emperor.
Prince Won Buelow had plan which
was popular, but 1t failed to meet the
appreciation OF the reactionary majority
of the reichstag. and Prince BuelOw ac-
copied the defeat and failed in June to
dissolve the chamber. 1t Is true II was
necessary to obtain the assent of the
federal council and 1t is reported on good
authority that its assent was refused.
The council. composed OF delegates from
the governments of the various states.
was hostile because the tax was approved
by the socialists. Bavaria is the citadel
OF the center party: Saxony has abolished
universal suffrage. and the majority o.
conservatives and clericals in the Prus-
sian diet Is Overwhelming. 1t was this
opposition which drove Prince Won Bue-
low to resign and it was this opposition
his successor would have to conctliate
when he assumed office.
The situation which confronts Herr
Won Bethmann-H ollweg is financial and
political, and is most
Situation grave. The rivalry be-
tween the central govern
UraVe. ment and the federated
states has existed since the es-
tablishment of the empire. The rivalry
has turned to positive hostility. and at
this moment constitutes the main issue
in German politics.
The Saturday Review refers to the situ-
alton as "a problem Of extreme complex
ity, which requires the highest statesman
ship to solve.' Herr Won Bethmann- oil
veg, it says, is bureaucrat, familiar
with papers and routine. but ignorant of
men. Such a man, it declares. would ap-
with the issue. 1T is not an accident
that the highest ministerial posts in the
German states are filled by men appoint
ed from the bureaucracy, and not from
the English system. which throws a
striking light on the differences of tenn
permanent between the two nations"
But to return to the emperors speech
strayed by reason OF certain questions
at issue. The emperor touches upon the
progress made in the German colonies.
The discourse ended as follows:
In order to insure to the German peO-
pie a tranquil and efHcacious develop
ment of her institutions Germany con-
tinues to consolidate her pacific and ami
cable relations with other powers
The emperor expressed satisfaction that
the convention concluded with France
about Morocco was executed in spirit
destined to conciliate the interests of the
two parties. He mentioned with senti-
ments of gratitude the period of the crea-
ton of the triple alliance and his con-
victions that the union Of the three coun-
tries would rebound to the maintenance
of peace.
The reference to France was made the
subject of much favorable comment in
Berlin and elsewhere. because OF the
manifest intention of the emperor to en-
phasize the good relations of France and
Germany. This fact and the non-mention
Of any other foreign power created SO
much comment that an official note was
issued, In which it was said that IL Eng
land and Russia and other countries were
not referred to 1t was because there had
been no new incidents In their relations
reference to the Franco-German accord
of February last, and aoded that that ac-
cord and its application was manifesto
ton Of a general tendency toward
friendly relations and that 1t might be
termed cordial detente or unbending.
Il X
The National Zeitung finds that the ref
erence to France and Italy is not acct
dental. but intentional.
nouhtfu1 The compliment to France
will make good impress
Emcacy. sion beyond the Vosges.
but the Zeitung thinks 1t doubtful that it
will attain its object. The emperor spoke
with insistence of the maintenance of the
triplice. The Zeitung does not know
whether Italy had been consulted in adj
vance. In any event, it is not without
reason that it was recalled that the
triplice was a force acting for the preser-
walton of peace.
The Deutsche TagerZeitung declares
that the tone of the discourse concerning
foreign relations Is calm and manifests
the consciousness of force. All eXagger-
alton is avoided. The German people de-
sired the maintenance of the triplice as
much as the emperor. but 1t is convinced
that in the future, in the past, Ger
many must rely upon her force.
The Berliner LOkal AnZeiger says the
emperor spoke with the brevity and pre-
cson of a soldier. The accord of Febru-
airy was beneficial to both France and
Germany.
The Gazette du Rhin ct de Westphalia
affirms that the chancellor Of the empire
has no accusation to make against pam
Germanists. The Gazette de PAlemagne
du Nord confirms that appreciation, but
the chancellor may respect the patriotic
sentiments of pan-Germanist politicians
without Identifying himself with them.
The Count de Bernstorff, the German am
bassador at Washington, had spoken
against the hurtful mixing up of pan-Ger-
manic ideas with the official policy of
GERMANY This Discourse had NOT fur