Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-10-21
Reichstdg Element De-
handing Democratization
OF Government War
Shakes .Autocracy
BY PAUL, LOUIS.

! PARIS, October l.-CBy MaiI-For
many months Germany has been un-
dergoing profound political crisis
which has steadily grown in amplitude
and intensity. Some people affect to
attach only slight Importance to this
state OF things, declaring their belief
that Germany's internal difficulties are
fiction invented b. the Kaiser and
his advisers in order 10 deceive the
entente allies. But this is pushing
scepticism and suspicion too far
For myself. admit that at the risk
of being though, to he very simple
minded attribute great value TO these
| internal STRINGS in Germany, and l
believe they will have an influence
upon the course OF the war and upon
the future status OF Europe.
No one will have forgotten the i'm
portant debates OF 1905. in which the
antagonists were the adherents of the
old absolutist and feudal regime and
the proponents OF reform in the Reich
stag. For many years the elected I'M
perial Chamber and a great par, OF
public opinion have demanded the es-
| Enlistment OF democratic electoral
system in Prussia and other States Of
the Empire. and also parliamentary
government within the confederation.
ANTAGONIST TO OLIGARCHY
RISING DURING GENERATION
Last July's happenings in Berlin. both
before and after the fall of Bethmann-
Hollweg. are only part OF long string
OF INF no riS ~
OF the nation against masked abso-
lutism and against the oligarchy has
been growing with every generation.
Had not the war broken out, perhaps
ii would have attained such a force
able. but the war has had the result
Of shaking established Nominations
weakening personal power and render
ing the masses conscious of their In
aiicnahlc rights
Germany can no more escape her des-
tiny in this respect that any other ma
ton. And that is why l do not agree
with those who say with superb as
surance: There will be no revolution
in Berlin" am the less tempted to
take that view because there are va
rous forms of revolution. not all OF a
bloody order.
AS to the imperial affairs, the de-
mands OF tho democratic clements i'm
the Rcichstag are as follows: Cd The
Chancellor and Secretaries Of State to
be chosen from among the members Of
the Reichstag: CD the Reichstag to
haze the power to advise and guide the
Emperor in the choice and dismissal Of
ministers.
The particular states OF the confed-
Grafton have less Of the semblance OF
democratic institutions than tho en-
rirn In Prussia the Junkcrs arc all
and the millions OF pcople nothing.
There arc 10 Social Democrats in tho
Hcichsias. most OF them elected by tho
I'russian manufacturing districts. hut
there arc only ton Social Democrats in
Tho Pruss!an Gandtag, although this
assembly has more members than the
RcichstaG.
ARGUMENTS FOR REFORM
CACSED BY SACRIFICES
Naturally the war has supplied new
arguments to those who demand re-
forms The people, who have sur
fcred unprecedented sacrifices and arc
the victims Of mistakes and faults OF
personal power and noble, middle class,
military and financial oloEarchics, are
determined to conquer undivided con-
troll Of taeir own affairs. The decep-
lions and defeats OF Gerrnany's lead
ers have weakened their prestige and