Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-09-05

1 The conflict between the autocracy and
the democracy in Germany is assuming
the phase OF open warfare. The kaiser's
/ recent eruption and bold reassertion OF
| his divine right to rule without any re-
| sponsibility to the people will result In
| further gains by the socialists and open
| agitation against the continuance OF the
| monarchy. No one knows why the en-
peror chose to break his promise OF
silence IN such an inopportune manner.
Perhaps he had reached the conclusion
that he had made a mistake when he per-
mitted the parliament to gag the imperial
tongue. Perhaps he had decided that the
time had come to lay down the gage of
battle and bring the republicans and So
against the throne. Perhaps he con-
Guided that a promise of the emperor did
not bind the King OF Prussia. Perhaps
he merely boiled over. In any event, the
effect will be the same-that is. TO widen
the chasm between the kaiser and the
people.
IT, as some OF the most serious Ger
man newspapers appear to believe. the
kaiser's speech was the opening gun OF
deliberately planned political campaign
then II is probable that the German gov
eminent has decided upon still further
increasing the taxes to meet the demands
OF the larger navy. 1t never has been
secret that the emperor has been dis
pleased by the ''subservfency OF the
reichstag TO the popular clamor against
increased taxes. 1t was necessary for
Bismarck in 1862 to ignore the Prussian
parliament and to establish virtual dc
tatorship in order to make the necessary
preparations for the wars with Denmark
and Austria. 1t may be necessary again
70 set aside the constitution in order to
prepare Germany for another series OF
empire-expanding wars
The present situation in Germany is in
essentials not remarkably different from
that in
Difference Between = n q ho'
Germany and Britain. ,rv = dis.
turbed by unprecedented political unrest,
which manifests itself in a different form
from that in England, because of the
fundamental differences In the two sys-
TENS Of government. In Germany. as in
Great Britain. the cause of the political
disturbance is the increased burden of
taxation made necessary by the reckless
expenditure OF money In preparation for
war. m Germany, as in England. this
protest against taxation finds its express
sion In a demand for constitutional re-
TIL Oh the Oh government III
the direction of more democratic rule.
In Germany, as in England. all classes
of society are notably unanimous in sup
porting the governmental program for
strengthening the navy, but the differ
ence of opinion hinges upon who Is TO
pay the bills.
In Germany. as in England, the party
Of privilege and aristocracy is most in
sistent upon huge expenditures, and is
utterly unwilling to pay. In Germany, as
4 L. r0ln nd %h.. ;,,l
legged classes have an unequal proportion
Of political power. and are determined
to use their power TO shunt the h-rden
Of increased taxes from the shoulders of
the rich classes onto the backs of the
poor masses. In Germany the people de-
mand a political reform which was OBJ
tanned by the British nearly three hun
bred years ago-the responsibility Of the
ministers Of the government to the elected
representatives of the people. With this
they demand in their state governments
particularly that OF Prussia, popular suf-
frage reform similar in scope to those
which the British people won eighty
years ago. when the reform bill was
passed.
While this striking similarity in
domestic politics exists. the two coun-
tries are at loggerheads in the field of
international politics. England. having
flag. and its imperial appetite for con-
quests thoroughly satisfied. is intent
only upon maintaining its present es-
tate. Germany. on the other hand.
growing rapidly and feeling every day
more and more the need for expansion.
IL cribbed, cabined and confined by
system OF international alliances and
understandings built UP by British di-
plomacy and made effective by the SUI
premely powerful British navy. Germany
would break down these barriers and
make way for itself In campaign CT
imperial and colonial aSgrandtzemcnt
This Il cannot hope to 10 until Its navy
is strong enough, II not to overcome. at
least to give pause to the British sea
power.
Germany and Britain both are piunslns
recklessly toward the gulf OF BANKRUPTCY
as has been
Both Are Plunging remarked by
mu plying
I0Wafu bankruptcy. Dreadnouyhts