The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-06-08

Constitutions which make elections
possible IL II be necessary to dissolve
the Legislature before the end OF the
term to appeal to the voters There is
only one state in the world that has
Constitution which makes IL impos-
sible for the voters to exert any inhu-
ence upon the government through
new elections. ard that state is Prus-
STA. Nobody has SO far been able to
give satisfactory explanation why
elections are ever held here.
In Russia. In Turkey, In China. there
is some sense In having elections inn
perfect though the Constitutions oi
these States are. In Prussia there Is
no sense at all In having elections,
fact OF which the voters are wen
aware. and they stay at home on cleo
ton day.
Great Changes Take Place.
The elections to the Reichstag show
as plainly as possible what changes
the wishes OF the people have under
zone during the last hve or ten years
which have completely changxi the
political complexion OF the Relchstag.
rhe conservative party has been al
most wip.d out, and would have been
wiped out completely but for the un-
Just arrangement OF tho election dis
tricts.
In the Prussian Diet. tho situation
the paper says. and adds. Tn tho
Kingdom OF Frederick .he Great and
old King Wilhelm, now as always,
neither the people nor tn. Hohenzoi-
Terms rule. it's real rulers are the
great estate owners In the most thin
~ populated parts of tho country.
which pay the smallest share of the
taxes"
The Tagablatt ends its accuse"
with reproach to the Kaiser. who, in
1905. King OF Prussia. promised an
election reform but who has done
nothing since to keep his promise. and
says: But when some time the day
OF retribntion dawnH, when an abused
people discovers that II was permitted
Ensiishmen and Russians. Americans
and Japanese TO get ahead of them in
worlds politics. merely to keep In
power by artificial means the costs OF
the saints and the knights, then woe
unto the sons or grandsons who Will
have TO suffer for the sins Of their an
cestors."
Even among the German statesmen
who at first thought the enormous in
crease of Germany's army and navy
planned by the government would par
alyze Europe, and especially France.
many now openly admit that the plan
is proving costly and gigantic fall
ure, in view OF the events that have
since taken place in France, where
the Cabiret OF Barthou easily conquered
the weak opposition and the passage
OF the bill providing for three years
military service is practically GER
tain as is, on the other side. the pas
sage OF herman army bills by the
! Reichstas.
! In the years which are to come now.
| France and Germany will be facing
| each other armed to the teeth but
| Just because the armaments have
reached their presen. amazing proper
tons. IT is hoped. in both countries
that the voice OF reason and common
sense will at least prevail
The conference in Berne between
representatives. of the legislatures OF
France and Germany was certainly a
failure but IT has, nevertheless, made
II evident that both nations desire
peace. and it may. In spite of all, once
come to be looked upon as tho hrst
step towards a better understanding
between the two countries. The seed
now sown has fallen among thorns
and on the road where 1t may be
trampled down by the nationalists OF
both sides. hut some of It very sman
part though II be, has fallen in fer.
tile soil and will bear fruit.