Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-09-10
FEARS THE EXAMPLE
Germany Disturbed by the Re-
suit of English Strike.
OF FAR-REACHING EFFECT
American CakeWalk Condemned in
Berlin-TWo States in Con-
stitutional Contest.
Special CabIegram to The Star.

BERLIN. September 9-The recent
strikes in England and the splendid re-
suits that have come to the workers
have created very strong impression
in Germany and the authorities are fear
ing general labor UPRISING all over the
country, which would be very difficult to
deal with, first, because the workers here
are too sensible to resort to any kind of
violence. which would give the govern
ment chance to step in. and second, be-
cause every one knows that invincib le
though the German troops might be i'm
facing foreign foe, they are too much
affected by socialist doctrines to be re-
lied on if ordered to fire on their own
countrymen and brethren. Signs of unrest
are not lacking anywhere in the great
industrial centers. where wages have not
Kept step with the rapid advance in the
prices OF the necessities of life
In the metal trades throughout Prus-
STA, Saxony. Bavaria and Wurttemberg
many thousands of men are either on
strike or locked out and there is also
serious unrest among the employees OF
the Berlin street car system, which
threatens to eliminate in complete ces-
sation of work unless their demands are
satisfied.
Cakewalk offensive"
The Berlin dancing masters and ball
room proprfetors have had their artistic
feelings greatly shocked by the latest
developments of the dance here. The
principal causes of offense are: First, the
American takewalk and then it's success
sor, the Partisan Apache dance, which
has caught on to an alarming extent
In Germany. It's gyrations and dislocat-
ing movements, although possessing a
certain amount of rhythm. are described
in a resolution passed by the Society Of
Ballroom PrOprietOrs as "ungraceful and
indecorous,'' and as tending to the en-
noblement of the deeds of gangs of
good for-nothings.' Ieps are to be
taken to eXpel it from Berlin.
The suggestion was made that the aid
OF the chief commissioner of police should
be called in. and that he should be re-
quested to forbid such dances by decree,
also that policemen should be stationed
in the public bathrooms as censors 1t
was. however. finally decided to appeal
by placards posted around the public
bathrooms to the moral sense of the
public and thus to Danish these freak
dances without public Interference.
The physical efficiency of the state rail-
way employees in Germany is to be sub
jected to severe tests in the future as
the result of number of fatal accidents
which have given rise to grave doubts
as to whether the calamites m ght not
have been avoided If the employees had
forth. every member of the railroad staff
employed on the trains, in the signal
boxes and on the tracks is to undergo
through medical examination, with tests
of sight and hearing and of mental con-
dition, every five years up to the age of
forty-five. After that age, and up to
sixty. they are to be tested every three
years, and after sixty every two years.
In this way 1t is hoped to keep the staff
in a state of almost perfect efficiency and
70 rod, fhn yicIc off, ,xxyir 10
human weakness. to minimum.
Grand Duchies Lock Horns.
The two grand duchies of Mecklen-
burg Strelitz and Mecklenburg-S chwerin
are engaged in a great constitutional con-
test. These two little states. in common
with alb the states in the federation COM
posing the German empire, possess home
rule. Hitherto. however, their govern
ment has been entirely in the hands of
the nobility, who number almost 800 as
sisted by the mayors of the towns. VINO
form a diet or parliament which is sup
posed to discuess the public policy of
the two grand duchies In common, but
the revenue and expenditures have been
solely in the grand dukes hands.
In accordance with the principles of the
imperial constitution. each state was
promised. after the formation of the
empire. an electoral system, but those
TWO BTdnd nucIlleS nave, owing to the
opposition OF the nobility. not yet re-
ceived one. The two grand dukes have
on many occasions endeavored to bring
the mobiles to a reasonable conception of
their duty, to the public. but without
avail The latest proposals of the nobil-
ity decline to consider the introduction
of popularity elected diet and suggest
the formation of a parliament in which
they shall select two-thirdS of the mem
bers and thus retain all the power. The
Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-S trelitz. re-
fused firmly to accept the proposals and
declaring them to be not even basis
for a proper reform The grand duke
declared that if control of the public
policy and finances was to pass out of
the hands of the rulers they did not
intend to hand it over to the nobility
but desired the masses of the people to
have control.
There is. therefore. a deadlock, and I'M
less the nobility gives away the people of
the grand duchies will remain without
constitutional government indefinitely
although the federal council of the en-
pire may exercise its right to step in and
force the situation
The German crown prince has set an
example that might be followed with ad-
vantage by many other travellers In
stead of writing a book about his ex-
petitions in India, the crown princess
and he have made an interesting collec-
ton of photographs and have issued them
in a dainty album This princely souvenir
Of a recent journey is varied enough to
give one an idea of the attractions Of
India, especially to the sportsman, for
among the best of the pictures are those
that show the crown prince as hunter
The album is published 10y George Stile
of Berlin. by order of the crown prince
and the amount realized is to be devoted
to soldiers disabled in German Southwest
Africa and to the relatives OF soldiers