Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1914-08-20
SOCIALISTS TO AVENCE
%THEIRtEADER'S Death
Refugees From Germany De.
clare Country Is On Verge
Of Civil Strife.

London, Aug. IA dispatch received
by the Central News agency from
Rome y
"Fugitives arriving here from Berlin
declare that the socialists are rising in
revolt throughout Germany, following
the execution of their leader, DIR. Lieb-
knecht."
The Central News dispatch tends to
confirm reports that the Ill members
OF the reichstag who were social dem
ocrats have been executed by order or
Herald printed a dispatch to this effect
last week. although the iron censorship
established made 1t impossible at the
time to confirm it.
German has been rent by socialism
for many years. 1t is said that nearly
a Of the army are socialists and
would have refused to serve had they
not known that it would nave been
death for them not to do SO.
Strong in Parliament.
There are 1913 members in the reich
stag. OF this number Ill are socialists,
center (clericals) 80, Inclusive of nine
from Alsace Lorraine;) conservatives.
Sc Inclusive Of eight agrarian and
eight reform); national liberals, 45;
radicals, 43; Poles, IS, imperialists, IA;
miscellaneous, IL. OF the total number
the reichstag has time mi again a
counter to the wishes Of the kaiser VI
had no power to restrain him. Laws,
which they passed, nave been killed by
the federal council or bundesrath which
is the upper branch of the law-making
body and is composed of mobiles select
ed by the rulers Of the various coun-
tries which constitute the German m
p1re. The reichstag Is elected by the
people n for that reason they were
able to get the Ill socialist members in
that body. The strength of their move
ment can be best estimated when it is
considered that there are only IA i'm
perialists in the chamber of the people.
The excessive war taxes imposed up
on the German people for the upkeep
OF h army and navy has for years
caused great dissatisfaction and pro-
noted the growth of socialism in that
country. The members of the reichstag
openly denounced the taxes and the
policies Of the emperor, but the powers
of the upper house were 81 great that
the socialistic element in the lower
house had no chance to effect reforms.
The crime of lese majestic is so great
in Germany that the people We're afraid
to express themselves except through
h medium of the vote. Those who
did object were cast into prison.
The reported execution of DR.. Lieb-
knecht and the other socialist members
of the reichstag is thought to be the
spark winch tanned the reported revolt
into flames.
An opportune Time.
With the allies, England, France,
Russia n Servia fiercely engaging the
forces Of the German army n Japan
about to throw it's sword into the fray
against the kaiser the socialists could
not find a more opportune time for re-
volt.
If Germany loses the great struggle
it now ppear that the dismember-
ment Of the German empire would
surely follow and thae the %socialistic
element would endeavor to bring about
a republic. That event would go far
toward bringing about universal peace
in Europe and a new alignment OF
world forces.
German municipalities are now gov.
erned in the majority of instances along
the socialistic plan. business doc
tors are hired by the municipalities in
place of mayors. These business doc
tors are paid a high salary and sys-
tematiZe all Of the industries to the
highest points Of efficiency. Lists of
workingmen in all trades are kept and
a record is kept of their years in en-
ployment. When a w~orkingman is out
Of work these business doctors" find
work for him in his particular line OF
industry in his w or another city and
when he has fulfilled a certain number
Of years of service he is p~ensioned. This
system has caused a part of the Ger
man race to favor socialism.