Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-09-05
SOCIALISTS HAVE
FAITH IN KAISER
Believe He Will Unite With
Them to Break Rule of
Prussian Junkers.
SEEKING NEW CONSTITUTION
Demand Is Made That Domino
ton of Aristocratic Classes
Be Ended.
SEEKING NEW CONSTITUTION
ny FREDERICK WERNER.

Kaiser and the Socialists enter into
compact TO break down the rule Of the
Juhkers In Prussia and pave the way
Tor new Constitution which will make
the people of Prussia self governing?
The Socialists believe that this will
harpen. In the Frankfurter Zeitunc.
wcl-known Socialist. Wolfgang Heinie
explains why he has full confidence in
the Kaiser. who. in his recent mani
fest, stated that IL Germany were to
progress along the new lines destined
Tor her after the end of the war, all do
nestle d'scord must cease and old ad-
Hcrsaries must forget their enmities
and work in harmony to fulfill their
duties as true and loyal German citi-
Zcns
At present the Constitution Of Prus-
STA is among the most antiquated in
Europe. the aristocratic and wealthy
classes being in almost absolute con-
troll while the majority of voters ara
very inadequately represented in the
Diet
THOROUGH REFORM
ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY
To remedy this evil a thorough re-
torn or the Prussian election laws is
absolutely necessary, and for years
o.
pie By the government, but the con-
sentative and reactionary parties have
always found means to obstruct the
way.
Everybody knows how readily the
German Socialists sacrificed their own
demands in the hour when the Kaiser
called for harmony during Germanys
gigantic struggle for existence 1t was
generally thought that the only fitting
reward the government could bestow
upon them was the political equality
foi which they had fought for years
The call Of the Kaiser in his mani
rest on the anniversary OF the begin
nlnE or the war started a very lively
discussion as TO the proper time Of
carrying out the much-needcd election
reforms, and 1t very soon became evil
dent that the Junkers and their follow.
ers had no intention of giving UP the
almost autocratic powers they posses.
under the present election laws. L..
The principal foundation Of the
claim OF the wealthier classes for po-
litical privileges" Heine writes. has
always been that they contribute a
greater share Of the taxes, but what
does this mean now when It is impos-
sible to imagine that any one would
dare speak OF money in comparison
with the enormous sacrifices in lives
blood and health which the working
classes have made
The objection is made that surely
the working classes are not entitled to
demand any reward because they have
done their plain duty at time of ma
tional peril. This Is very true. and no
democratic leader would think of de-
m
working classes as reward OF their
having remained loyal to their country.
This would be absolutely degrading
even II under normal circumstances
such political barter is nothing I'M
usual. but 1t must be remembered that
we Socialists have time and again en-
phasized that neither fear nor the hope
OF future favors Influenced our resolu-
ton.
We do not attempt to conceal. on the
other hand, that II was not only duty
and honor, but also the thought Of the
interests of the working classes which
prompted us TO help In defending Ger
many's soil against the enemies.
We do demand, however. that what
has always Lccn an injustice be now
abolished and we expect that the state
as we'll as the other political parties
will realize how poorly their former
treatment OF the Socialists has served
Germany's best interests.
when we now demand political re-
forms and demand them quickly, be-
fore the opposition grows too strong
and before feeling Of bitterness is
aroused among the people because of
new disappointments, we are guided
solely by the wish to give the Father
land new strength. and to keep alive
unity and harmony among the German
people.
What the governments of the en-
pire and the various states and the rul-
ing classes are asked to Grant-politi-
cal equality and freedom--is as moth
ing compared with what the state must
ask from those who have hitherto been
suppressed and who have been de-
privcd of all their right that they for
get the injustice they have suffered in
tho past. that they love their country
and devote their entire energy toward
the maintenance OF the empire. We do
not need to inform one aother Of the
value of what each of us has done when
each Of us is inspired by the will con-
fdently to enter new paths and help
to create new. free and strong Ger
many. and when each Of us put aside
selfish interests to reach this goal"
There is no doubt that those words
arouse strong echo throughout the
German people, but 1t is equally GER
tain that they have fallen upon deaf
ears so far as the reactionary parties
are concerned.