The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-01-29
THE "ZABERN ISSUE" WILL NOT
DOWN.

THE "ZABERN ISSUE" WILL NOT
DOWN.
| The Zabcrn issue. growing out OF tho
brutal hcctoring OF citizens OF tho lit
tie Alsace- Lorraine town of that name.
by tho military will not down. AS
our readers arc aware, It recrudescod
in most extraordinary and defiant pro-
ceodinEs in the German Reichstar last
Saturday. That body boldly. nay in
sultlnsly even, threw down the gaunt-
let in a challenge to a final trial of
conclusions. BY n large majority It
adopted Il resolution demanding that
| the government prevent tho use of
troops against citizens, except In re-
spouse to n call from the civil authori-
ties. Then. as If anticipating that tho
government would ignore tho rosolu-
| ton md In emphasis OF tho demand,
bill was introduced embracing tho
! forms of tho resolution. and further
more prohibiting tho employment OF
arms by tho military save In self-de-
fence TO overcome actual resistance or
to force the dsarming OF armed citi-
xens."
Following this. and after referring
the bill to special committee. the
Reichstag gavo additional evidence of
its challenging temper by adJourning
for several days as n protest against
the absence of tho imperial chancellor
and other ministers from tho chamber
during tho debate" Meanwhile, the
Reichstag's action has evoked wide
spread discussion in the German press.
and the ultimate outcome is awaited,
wo are told, with intense interest not
unmiNed with deep apprehension.
We can we'll understand why. For,
as stated, tho Reichstag incident repre-
sents tho most advanced step ever
taken by tho representatives OF the
people in championship of tho suprcm-
acy Of tho civil power in times Of
peace. But It Ia misleading to char
ectcrize tho "zabern ISSUE" either I'm
itself or In its developments, as one
between the Kaiser and tho people
Such Characterization, which has boon
applied both here and abroad, Is. more
over, an injustice TO the German EN-
peror In fairness TO him II should be
noted that when the Zabern trouble
occurred he almost Immediately trans
fcrrcd tho offending garrison. Also,
that when reviewing court martial
eXoneratod the officers involved in the
outrage, by virtue Of provision OF
tho military code OF 1S30 he took
prompt steps TO ascertain whether that
yiSin Sti
Tho issue is not between the Kaiser
and tho people, but between tho civil
and the military authorities; between
military arrogance and the liberties and
protection OF tho civilian under civil
law. And in n broader sense. and In
one which may have n significant bear
ing upon the integrity OF the German
empire. il Is an issue between Prus-
sia and the German masses, especially
those of tho South German States, who
are none too cnamored of Prussian cast
Iron militiarism and insolent assurnp-
ton OF German hegemony. Whatever
the "ultimato outcome" and tho
Frankfurter Zcituns risks little in
saying II may have a "far-rcaching
effect on the whole German political
life" the issue Is only remotely and
indirectly between the Kaiser and the
people 1t must he recognized, to the
credit OF his sense and foresight that
by his course in this matter the Kali
ser has Afforded another gratifying
proof that nc has learned much since
he wrote the Will OF the Emperor is
tho supreme law" IN the Golden Book
OF Munich" And In his having learned
so much. lies IL may be- the best hope
that the present crisis Will be over
passed without serious and disinte-
grating upheaval In tho fatherland
In his. new light may lilo the strong
est assurance for such concessions to
demand for civil supremacy, as Will
disarm the many forces that nre con-
spring to eviscerate German solidar-
ity.