The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-01-10
SAYS REAL FOE
OF GERMANY is
RUSSIAN GEAR
Eduard Bernstein, Socialist
Deputy, Urges Change
of Army Plans.
SUGGESTION BRINGS
CRY OF TRAITOR"
,pecta, Correspondence TO Tur sus.


BERLIN Cva London). Dec. 1s.--Dr.
Kari Liebknecht is not the only Socialist,
member OF tho Rechstag who has been
calied a traitor. 1t has come TO n point
where the slightest criticism OF the Gov
crnment is taken as sounding a rebel
.ious note" There Is bound TO come a
reaction against this overstrained. exag-
gcrated unity talk"
Eduard Bernstein. Socialist member In
the Reichstag publishes a long article In
the TdOobldu in which he raises the ques-
ion whether the conditions In which the
Socialists supported the Governments war
policy and voted the war credits still pre-
vail. lie suggests that the war. through
the undenlable progress made by Russia,
has taken on a different character and in
Inmates that II is upon the Car that all
The military forces that can be spared
should be concentrated.
Convinced that pan-Slavlsm is a greater
menace to Germany than British COM
petition. Herr Bernstein points to the
danger he sees In a lesscnlng Of military
aggression against Russia.
Immediately upon the publication OF his
article Herr Bernstein became the target
NJ severe criticism The press in general
again saw its chance to raise the ma
tional unity" cry. His chief critics we're
'wo OF his Socialist colleagues, Eduard
David and wolfgang Helne.
Bernstein asks II the political parties
are expected to swallow their principles
and convictions for the sake Of the much
boasted unity. lie urges. abov, all that
military warfare" (as distinct from po-
litical Or diplomatic warfare) should serve
craftsmanship and warns against states
manship. politics. diplomacy being made
subseryient to military warfare
The paramount question In my mind"
says Bernstein. rs this Whether during
this war the political parties have to sup
press their fundamental principles which
are related to the political questions fgur-
ing in the war. and II 50. how far the
parties are to go in this suppression.
AS for myself, 1 represent the view
that II would be most detrimental for our
country II Social Democracy were to swal-
low Its particular principles In this re-
spect as long as the war lasts. l recently
wrote:
1.-THE realization that we must be
ready to bring all sacrifices, in what We
have and what We are. that may be de-
manded for the safety and independence
of our country must not cause us TO put
IN the shadow. even temporarily. our
deep rooted faith In the solidarity of ma
lions our recognition of that which makes
nations great and our differentiation be-
tween treaties and might as a basis of
international relations
Il then asserted that the close relation
between politics and military warfare
should prompt Social Democracy to in
sist that military warfare be absolutely
subservient TO politics and that It should
he plnpgl n 20
politics
illustrated this point among other |
things, by means OF dealing with the /
much discussed question as 10 Whether the /.
war In the eastern theatre or the western
campaign Is to be the guiding motive Of
herman warfare
Il would like to add this II will be
q good while yet L. fore Hlndus and /
negroes can invade the Rhine region. In |
the meantime. however the Cossacks have !
made themselves at homy in the greater /
part OF Galicia: they stand before era !
cow are holding part OF the Ctrpathlan !
passes ana are threatening Czernowitz.
The friends of the German people and
of world peace should know that we Social I.
Democrats will always be found on the /
side of those who offer the hand for a !
peace that Is honest peace that will De !
detrimental to no nation. and that this
willingness on our part Is devoid of all [,
considerations Of economic conditions"
The TdOebidu comment on the above /
follows:
Like Bernstein We are convinced that
complete victory over the Russians must
be the ultimate aim Of this war. because
otherwise the Russian menace will rise
at our borders only more powerful and /
more threatening
'Wofgang Heine was quite correct !
when, In his article criticlslng Bernstein, !
no said that the crushing of the western
Powers IL equally necessary. Bern /
stems original question, whether the same
presumptions are still In force under which |
tho Social Democratic party In the :
Reichstag voted the war credits on August |
4, could not help but lead 10 the SUPPOSE
ton that Bernstein Is inclined to adopt |
a different attitude now than he did on |
August I.
"Any attempt, however. to impair the |
unity OF the German Reichstag before the .
war IL ended II to be deCsively CON
denned, and this was the spirit OF the .
criticism in the articles by David and
Helne II Eduard Bernstein does not in
tend a disruption of that necessary and
natural unity a continuation of this dis
OusSiOn NAV be abandoned