Grand Forks herald., 1917-03-19
PRIVILEGES OF
TEUTON JUNKERS
ARE ASSAILED
DR.. Wolff of Tageblatt Says
''the Times are Ripe for
Fearless Innovations"

Berlin, via London, March 1S.-In
his Monday review in the Tageblatt
DR.. Theodor Wolf draws compari-
son between Germany's junker class
of today and those French aristo-
Gratis who opposed Turgot, Louis
xV1.s famous minister, in all his ef-
forts for reform: Then he proceeds
to chastise classes who insist on priv
ileges, no matter how the other. class
es suffer by them. He says:
Herr Michaelis. state commission
er FOR food supply. admitted in his
manly, honest speech to the diet that
eggs. milk, butter. fruit, and vege-
tables still abounded in many rural
districts. It is necessary to gather
these pleasant things, not only to
f1atter the urban palate, but also for
psychological reasons. One would eat
the daily turnip with more appetite.
If convinced that it did not smell Of
other culinary pleasures in certain
places. But when we hear everybody
returning from the country and the
more favored little towns tell with
satiated smiles of the eggs they dis
covered in nests out there and the
butter that is shining on huge slices
Of bread, 1t is then that turnips fail
to inspire us with enthusiasm.
"since the government raised no
helping hand. individuals help them
selves and everybody is now busy
gathering by circuitous ways.
1T has become quite habit Of tho
urban dweller to scout for secreted
eatables. which are not to be had in
the ordinary manner. Anybody stroll
ing about Berlin's railway stations
In the evening will notice great num-
bers of passengers arriving from the
country loaded with sacks, satchels
ana all kinds OF queer packages. And
these great. numbers belong to all
classes. The police tried to interfere
with these people. but the Berlin
had its effect They now remain un-
molested. What we should like to
know. however, 10 what becomes Of
tho mail packages, containing food
supplies, from the country which
have the habit Of disappearing as IL
they contained secret propositions
for alliances to the President Of Mex-
leo.
"All these are little pictures Of con-
temporary history. which tho con-
scientious chronologist ought TO iind
desirable for the benefit Of 4 .well-
nurtured posterity. Uninteresting ana
grandchildren, they are bitterly seri-
GUS to us.
T "The ghastly calamity which the
commissioner for food supply said
must overtake the nation unless every
source is made use of sparingly is
not in sight, thank heaven, and let
us hope 1t will be spared this resolute
people. But even care presses heav-
lily.
"The political leaders Of what II
called the junker class. which con-
sists, however. not wholly Of junkers.
make an extraordinary mistake IL
they sham inability to understand the
seriousness Of the situation. This.
coupled with their open announce
ment Of purpose to fight down any
attempts to reduce their privileges IL
all the more provoking.
What shall we say to the speech
Wartenburg in the upper house Of the
Prussian diet7 Every step forward
fnghtens this apprehensive custodian
Of the past. It 10 always the same
song about Germany's geographical
positioY In being surrounded BY hos
tile nations making the retention Of
the present system imperative.
"our preceptors DO not fail TO point
our ancestors. and this shall not BE-
denied. But even Louis XVI. wrote
not entirely without grafidca4ion on
the margin of Tho draft for restitu- ~.
ton submitted 10 him by the rreat
Turgot these angry words. France
owes hsr position In Europe 70 the
old regime -
Count York regards the moro co..
operation by the reichstAg in intro.
ducing civil services NJ q revolution
|ary measure ST He refuses TO men-
Ebers Of the, lower Prllssian house
|thsar daily alloNaace and tree rail-