New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-08-12
Leader SPAIN Criticised for
Deciding Not to Return
to Reichstag
Policy Is Changed
New Minister Is Accused of
Abandoning Parliamentary
Reform Plans

BERLIN, Aug. 10 (Delayed.l-Is the
Catholic Centrist party receding from
its attitude taken in respect to parlis-
mentary reforms in the course Of the
recent Cabinet crisis? This query has
been suggested by the decision OF DR..
Peter SPAIN, leader Of the party in the
Reichstag, not 10 seek reelection to
the Reichstag, TO which he has been
forced since accepting the post Of
Prussian Minister Of Justice. With
that appointment his mandate in the
Reichstag automatically expired BY
constitutional provision, but he is
privileged to go before the voters and
seek reelection.
In a section Of the press and in his
own party il was taken for granted
he would continue as party leader in
the Reichstag, as his reelection was
positively assured. "Germania," organ
of the Centrist party, is now author
lied 10 announce that DR.. SPAIN Will
not be candidate. This has removed
one Of the parliamentarians from the
Prussian Ministry and Bundesrat, as
Dr. SPAIN, in the capacity of Minister
Of Justice, also qualified for member
ship in the Federal Council.
Change in Law Not Necessary
His action for the time being makes
il unnecessary to change the imperial
constitution. which does not permit a
simultaneous membership in the Bund-
esrat and Reichstag and also posses
sion of the Reichstag mandate while
holding a government position. DR..
Schiller, one Of the National Liberal
leaders, who has been appointed Under
Secretary Of the Imperial Finance Min
stry. also will not seek reelection to
the Reichstag. "Germania" says:
"To return TO the question of the
parliamentarization Of the government,
we all know to-day how far responsible
advisers Of the Crown have proceeded,
and NAV recognize in the present ac-
complishment the limits TO which they
propose to go. We need not reiterate
that these limits coincide with what
the Centrist party deemed desirable
and aimed 10 achieve"
The "Tageblatt" concludes from
"Germania's" comment that the Cen
trist party is wholly in accord in the
parliamentarization undertaken by
Chancellor Michaelis in the recon
struction Of the government. The So
cialist organ, "Vorwarts," observes
DR.. SPAIN and DR.. Schiller. whose
Reichstag mandates now have expired,
were representatives of the people, but
now have become officials, and says:
Greek mythology relates that occa-
sionally mortals were also received IN
Olympus. and as half gods permitted
TO eat ambrosia with immortals.
Bureaucrats Criticised
The gentlemen of our bureaucratic
Olympus seem 20 have this custom IN
mind. Occasionally they honor the
lesser race of parliamentsrians by ele-
waiting one Of its members 70 their
rank. but the chosen one then ceases
TO be a parliamentarian, as though he
suddenly became too exclusive for such
purpose:
positiOn as a whole has not been ele-
waited, but rather diminished, as a result
Of such procedure, cannot long toler-
ate this transitory stage. Parllamen-
tarization. as practised by the govern
ment, is a tragic misconcepuon when
must be cleared up as soon as possible.
The Reichstag must not be ladder
leading to high positions, but must be
an effective controlling device for the
government. The place for the peo-
Plies representatives must be above,
not below, bureaucracy"
The "Vossische Zeitung" says: I'm
view OF the fact that the members OF
the Reichstag, DR.. SPAIN and Dr. SchIf-
fer. will not accept new mandates small
progress will be made along the route
TO parliamentarization which has been
annulled. The favorable moment 70
solve the problem has been missed.
IL will now be the duty Of the Reich
stag. Immediately upon reconvening. to
accomplish revision of Paragraphs
and 81 of the imperial constitution as
decided in the session of the Consti-
tutional Committee"