Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-01-26
RE|CHSTAG IN DOUBT
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Composition p, of New German
:. Parliament Uncertain:
CHANGE IN CONTROL SURE
Alliance of Conservatives and the
Clerical Center Party Has
Been Overthrown.

BERLIN, January 26.-No two accounts
Of the composition of the new reichstag
agree exactly, owing to one or two doubt
full results and the difficulty of classify
ing definitely a few members of nonde-
script petty groups. The only certainty
is that the alliance of the conservatives
with the clerical center party. which con-
trolled 2O8 Of the 397 mandates in the last
reichstag, has been overthrown. That
coalition is now able to muster, il it en-
rolls every possible man from among the
Poles. Alsatians, Guelphs and others
with conservative and clerical tendencies.
only 1913 or 1874 votes. against the 203 or
2O4 which can be counted by the national.
liberal. radical and socialist groups.
The uncertain and unreliable construc-
ton OF the new parliament has naturally
resulted in a crop of predictions that its
life will be short and that speedy dis
solution may be- looked for The ma
jorities in any case depend on heterogene-
Gus groups, and are easily changeable by
the detection. death or retirement of three
or four members.
Socialists a Menace.
The most Threatening menace to the life
Of the new reichstag' is the solid block of
11O socialists. who are out-and-out enc
mics Of the government.
Experienced politicians like the radical
leader, DIR. Herman Pachnicke, and the
prominent conservative. DR.. Otto Arendt;
point out, however, that threatened par
liaments, like threatened men, live long.
Each Of these leaders foresees the forma-
ton Of an adequate working majority.
This seems also certain when subjects
are dealt with which the government,
through it's statement made in the semi
official Norddeusche Allgemeine Zeitung,
has indicated as imperative tasks for the
new reichstag.
Imperative Tasks.
These tasks include the strengthening OF
the army and navy and the financial pro-
vision for this increase of strength. They
comprise also new social legislation and
the continuance of the present tarin pol
icy through the ratification OF series OF
new commercial trieaties
All the parties exoer. the socialists will
be found behina the new army and navy
bills when they are brought UP Tor dis
cnssdon. The critical question will be
that Of the new taxes. but this undoubt-
edly will be solved, even II the govern
ment mas to impose the inheritance tax. the
Introduction Of whic hoccasioned Prince
Won Bueiow's fall. and this will have to
be- done against the opposition of the
badly riddled conservative ranks.
Serious Rioting at Schwetz.
The only serious disorder during the
elections is reported from Schwetz. where
a fight occurred last night between the
Poles and the Germans. This resulted
in a general riot. and eventually the mill
tarv were called out. Two students were
seriously injured during the fight and
many people were hurt.
Prince Won BuelOw as prophet has
been justified When he retired from the
chancellorship In July, 1903. he predicted
that the conservatives would suffer retri-
button, and instead of the 100 members
| thew mustered In the last reichstag they
will have but sixty-nine In the new. So
cialisnn has shown augmented strength;
the Guelph enemies OF RUSSIA whom ne
1rox,o rx,,t ,f tho reichStQg have returned