New-York tribune., 1917-07-12
pr,ssian Reforms
Will Fail, German
publicist Predicts
u,.,ltbv Conservatives Are
Ready to Block Liberals
Saws Prof. Delbrueck
Programme Not New
Government, He Declares, Has
g.en Trying Since 1908
to Remedy System

..r, July 10. via London, July
p.o,sssor Hans Delbrueck, head
-. 6epartmeut OF history in the
-.-.-.itv Of Berlin and one Of the
;,suential publicists in Germany,
~ The Associated Press to-day that
,.v oriertation in Prussia was
Ne no political novelty. as the gov
-. ..-.st had solemnly proclaimed it as
-. Of its programme far back in
..w The Conservative forces in
p,,.ia. he added, were so powerful
Ever tha, they invariably sue
..s.5 in frustrating all attempts to
...-,li,h the desired reform.
"a, well known historian and pub
,.,, Of Prussian year books startled
..r,i,al and parliamentary circles less
III. week ago by appearing with
- leading Conservatives IN favor of
y. ;nmediate enactment OF Prussian
,sc.oral reforms.
Fear Postponement
Z, the course Of his interview to-day
E, said: . r 49,.
,..r, has been reiterated IN the En-
...o,'s Faster message, the suspicion
...-.,Jswith - springs up that the Conser-
lives will make fresh attempts TO
-. ;ts postponcment. or cripple the
-,ssure. in case its enforcement was
lJsvsd until after the close of the
az Enlightened Conservative circles
Ssr.fore Joined hands with the Mid
n, rsrties in an urgent demand for
.--sSiate legislation in this direction.
~. declaration Of my friends, which
'-..,.,e5 ~ i'm tho 'Preussische Jahr-
srgbsr' a few days ago. has given pub
r. svn-ession 10 this movement. Since
ts~ I have freely been receiving al
f-~a,;ve support from many sides.
Hard Struggle Ahead
.Dsspite al this. however, it means
b.rd struggle. and | question very
-.,.b whether we will win out. As
rrrlan6 Belgium and Italy have not
-. rossession of a general and direct
mirage. Prussia would be step IN
,lvsnee Of these countries respecting
democratic developments, always as
,.minr. Of course, that we are sue
,sssiui in forcing the issue. Perhaps
+. would then develop that Prussia and
England. where similar electoral re-
forms are being agitated, would under
ale the same step simultaneously.
Gratifying as this would be, regret
20 say that present indications point
20 the probability that at this time, too,
,se efforts Of our opponents will pre-
vail
I'll should be remembered that op-
posing US are not only the Influential
lsr5s1 interests, but also capital and
Va irs.stry-in general, the elements
vsthnt the progress of this war have
used still greater wealth, and, in
ssF.,s. have now also secured con-
.-al o. a large section Of the press.
T,sy. furthermore, are being supported
,y he attitude Of public opinion in the
United States and England, where II IS
ts'ng loudly proclaimed that peace
u.th Us can only be concluded when we
.sys finally become internally demo-
Isiized.
Such irritating interference in our
Domestic affairs. OF course, goads a self
conscious people into contradiction,
ard bat sti,l more fortities the reac-
lonary forces. Perhaps this is exact
y what President Wilson and Mr..
Lloyd George are striving for. They
Undoubtedly desire the existing con-
.Izs,s 70 be still more intensified for
re purpose Of having the war drag on
% the familiar knockout y
Wealthy Class Favored
For the benefit Of Americans, Pro-
lessor Delbrueck explained that in
Prussia suffrage is general, but through
division Or the voters into three
classes the wealthy class is favored.
By ms means certain pressure IS eX-
'f,sd on the lower classes, 50 that the
mulege OF voting in a way was a
ioss between feudalism and democ-
'aty. IN sbolshing this system Of vot-
" and substituting equal and secret
mirage, he said, this much discussed
isE orlentation' is achieved.
The surest and quickest way" he
AIDED, "of arriving a. the realization
o this reform-tnat Is. Of abolishing
ne last vestige of fcudal social con-
'iaet and substituting for it modern
-saoeratic thought and Institutions
. 70 divorce the issue unequivocally
ION any connection whatsoever with
or foreign policy This political re
.'ia should be dictated primarily and
Hsy By conditions growing out Of our
.emsi needs"
ffoiessor Deibrueck believes that the
',iuon Of Germany has been simpli-
20 oy the Russian revolution.
Views on Russia
Until Of late" the historian assert
~ Germany felt herself seriously
-.heced oy the Russian army, which is