Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-07-09
Germans Call Upon
HOLLWeg for Aims

Continued from Page One
and Socialists over the peace terms OF the
Central Powers
Increasing unrest among the people
over the failure OF the submarine warfare
10 end the conflict and over the entry Of
the United States.
From the central wing to the Socialists
all opposition IN the Reichstag is united
that a reformed electoral system must be
applied In Prussia. II Prussia fails to adopt
such a plan OF its own accord
The Governments promises OF vast
changes in electoral districts is considered
only n small installment in payment for the
large debt owing the people by the German
Government. There was a disposition indi-
Gated In all parties today TO demand Prus-
sian reform this fall.
TThe main objection now held by Ger
man reformists to the present electoral
system is the preponderance Of PrussIan
representation in the Government. In the
Reichstag the Kingdom of Prussia has
23G deputies, six or eight times as many
members as any other kingdom or prin-
Cipalty. In the Bundesrat, Prussia has
seventeen members, nearly three times as
many as any other section of Germanyl
HOLLwEG UNDER FIRE
The opinion was strongly expressed here
that the retirement Of Dr. Won Bethmann-
Holweg was imminent,
The seriousness Of the situation was
shown by the fact that Field Marshal Won
HndenburE, the German chief of staff and
his aid, General Won Ludendorff. FASTENED
to Berlin from the eastern front to con-
fer with the Kaiser and the Chancellor
one of the latest developments was the
speech Of Deputy Erzberger, member Of
the powerful Centrist party. in which he
pledged his party TO immediate reforms
not only affecting the ballot laws Of Prus-
sia. but the whole German Empire. At the
same time he declared in favor OF peace
without indemnities or annexations with
any country that would make peace with
Germany on those terms. II is said Err
berger denounced the failure Of the sub
marine war.
Doctor ErzberEer. It is said, demanded
that the Government consent to peace on
the basis Of the status quo. The Catholic
leader revealed the fact that the Pope had
informed him he would not attempt to ex-
pedite peace as long as the Germans con-
tnued the submarine war. Erzberger de-
Clared that in his opinion, the whole Ger
man Government should resign.
Should the German Chancellor be unable
to weather the storm which Is raging about
him, his successor probably would be Or.
Karl Hefferlch, the Vice Chancellor
PRESS COMMENT
Berlin newspapers TeCelNeu mere COInHltI'
vigorously on the situation. The Lokal
Anzeiger says:
The meeting today means a critical
period Of the first magnitude for Ger
many. 1t is not possible for the Chan
cellor to avoid frank and open state
ment in view of these increasing de-
mands
"Scheidemann referring to PhilI
Scheidemann, majority Socialist leader and
supporter of the Government and his
friends brought home from neutral coun'
tries the impression that affairs in Germany
must change as quickly as possible" de-
clared the Tagebatt The Government
must make clear that there is no policy oi
annexation. Our one sided peace
offer to Russia was a grave mistake, as II
bound that country closer to the Allies
The introduction Of parliamentary system
has become imperative"
The Socialist organ Vorwaerts comments
bitterly on promises for reform in franchs,
which have not yet materializeda