The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-01-12

fairly the concrete views of all but the particularistc voters of the empire. These groups are the conservatives, center, na- tional liberals, radicals Cor progressives) and socialists
 The conservatives are, above all, government party and the representa- tives of the great landed proprietors of North Germany, especially Prussia. the eastern provinces of which form their stronghold. They are strongly mon arehistic, opposed to every step that may lead to more direct participa tion of the common people in govern mental affairs and opposed to the gem eral franchise, favoring instead "a fran chise based upon the organic groups of the people,
 The center or Catholic party is the strongest party numerically In the reichstag and has been the strongest almost without exception since 1874. From this 1t comes that the center has always held the decisive vote on all. questions and the government has al- ways had to reckon with 1t. It's nov ing principle is the protection of the interests of the Roman Catholic church and its equality before the law with the Evangelical or state church. It supports a high tariff and since 1898 has been a government party, allied with the conservatives on all impor- tant questions and building thus what is called the black blue block"
 Liberals Middle Party
 The national liberals, since the for nation of the blaclS-blue block, may be said to constitute a middle party, mid way between the extreme monarchists and the extreme democrats Once the all-powerful party of Germany, which, supporting Bismarck, played an impor-
 
 ern empire, the national liberals have fallen from high estate
 The radicals. who term themselves the progressive peoples party" are made up of three previously existing radical facitons-the radical peoples party, the radical league and the German people S party. all of which had delegates in the last reichstag. In March, 1910, these three principal parties of the left were united. The radicals are an outGrowth of the old progressive party, which was organized in 1sY by advocates of free trade. The present coalition advocates a systematic abolition of the protective tariff and equal rights for all citizens and all religions. with absolute religious freedom for the individual. The programme fatly de- mands responsible. collegial imperial ministry. Peaceful arbitration of all in ternational disputes is cardinal point In the party programme.
 The socialists programme is that of tho socialists 'the world over and is well known. Their ultimate political aim is a pure democracy, fin which all citizens. in- cluding the women, shall have equal rights They are unalteraby opposed to armaments and war. to tariffs and indi- rect taxes: favor communal ownership of property and Of all means of production. no interference in religious affairs, sepa- ration of church and state, direct legis- lation by voters through the initiative and referendum. universal direct fran chise abolition of night work for women and children and the fullest self govern- ment down to the smallest municipal di- visions of tho empire
 The socialists have no friends among the other parties and are hated by the Emperor. who has termed them ''the arch enemies of the empire" Their growth has been almost prenomenaI In 1871 they boiled 113,04S votes; in 1877. 4gs,- 25s; in lS99, 1,427,29s, and in 1907, 3, g0. This growth has come in the face of most determined opposition from the govern- ment, which suffers no socialist to hold any important government position or to receive any political honor, decoration or title.