The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-07-09
HIGH TENSION
Is REPORTED
! IN REICHSTAG
Berlin is Passing Through
Crisis on Question of
Internal Reform
SOCIAL DEMOCRATS
OPPOSE ANNEXATION
Empire is Believed to be on
Eve of Historical
Upheaval
(Rv Associated Press.l

10y AbSOGidbGu IEbHg
Berlin, July 7, via London, July s.
and alarms" Following the mass OF
plain spoken editorial comment based
on the hair trigger tension in the re-
lations between the reichstag and the
government. Field Marshal Won
Heidelberg and Gen. Won Ludendorff
have arrived in Berlin for a confer
ence with the emperor.
The identity OF the member OF the
reichstag who launched forth in a
candid exposition Of the situation at
home and abroad now has been es-
tablished definitely. The Tageblatt
names Matthias Erzberger. a leader of
the clerical center. as the man who
paved the way for the discussion
which resulted in a common meeting
ground for all but the pan-German
faction in Fridays session Of the
main committee.
Herr Erzberger's discussion of the
internal situation is said to have been
remarkable for its lucidity and can
dor. II was augmented effectively
by the utterances Of social democrats
who related the impressions they had
gathered at the recent Stockholm
conference and in neutral countries.
Their deduction was that affairs in
Germany must be subjected forth
with to a thorough overhauling. The
majority faction Of the social demo-
Gratis also is convinced that the gov
eminent must make a positive dec
laration that 1t is opposed to all
policies of annexation either in the
east or west.
The Tageblatt observes that "the
progress of developments Is irresis-
tfble because right, reason and ne
nessity demand these things and the
strong man whom the conservatives
are calling for would have little luck
himself and would bring less to the
empire"
Copenhagen, July S.-Berlin is I'M
doubtedly passing through q crisis
on the question Of internal reform,
the conduct of the submarine war
and peace terms. A study and COM
parison of the various reports from
Berlin and the more or less myster-
ious references to the confidential
debate in the reichstag committee,
however, give the impression that
the gravity Of the situation is over
played by certain radical papers.
The outstanding facts ascertainable
are these:
Matthias Erzberger. a prominent
representative of the clerical center.
made a sensational speech in the Sc
cret session of the committee, at
lacking the admiralty and pan
Germans as the great obstacles to
peace and advocating peace without
annexations or indemnities and the
Introduction of parliamentarism. Herr
Erzberger, however, did not speak
Id behalf of his party, which would
have meant that the imperial chan
ceilor, DIR. Won Bethmann- Hollweg,
faced a hostile majority in the par
lament, DR.. Peter SPAIN, president
OF the clerical party, declared the
party had taken no decision on the
subjects raised in Herr Erzberger's
speech.
Chancellor Won Betl4mann- Hollweg
the following day could therefore
venture flat refusal to commit him
self to the program of peace without
annexations or indemnities, and to
ambiguous declarations on the inter
nal reform policy. The air was still
full Of electricity when the COM
mittee adjourned but the ten
sion was far lower than at the
opening of the session, and The
Clerical Germania, the organ of the
moderate middle section of the
Catholic party, was able to say that
the edge had been taken from the
crisis.
Today alone will show whether the
radical and socialist forces, assisted
by Herr Erzberger, are able to re-
inforce their attacks sufficiently to
score any material success, or
whether the crisis. will lose its
momentum and die out without re-
suits.
The Tageblatt and papers of that
stamp which have maRnified the
crisis into virtually a revolution seem
10 have assumed that Herr Erzberger
would carry his entire party, the
largest in the reichstag, with him.
Berlin, July S.-Cvia London, July
9)-Unless all present indications
fail in the course of the next few
days, the German empire Is on the
eve Of a momentous If not historical
parliamentary upheaval. Develop
nlents in the last forty-eight hours
point squarely to a significant
reangnment Of various factions of
the reichstag in favor of sweeping
electoral and parliamentary reforms,
in spite Of the present stubborn resis-
lance of the reactionary old guard.
sAlthough the sessions Of the main
committee and the constitutional
committee have been strictly of an
executive nature, this mornings
press comment permits the inference
that the discussions of vital sub
Jects Of governmental policy fire.
qtiently reached the boiling point. That
they have been of gravely significant
import is indicated clearly by the
sudden decision to postpone the Sat-
urday plenary session which was to
have marked the opening of the gen.
eral debate and the expected speech
OF the chancellor.