Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-07-09

ouently reached the boiling point. That
they have been of gravely Significant
Import Is indicated clearly by the sud
den decision to postpone the Saturday
marked the opening of the general de-
bate and the expected speech OF Chan-
cellor Won Bethmann Hollweg.
The absence of the chancellor from
the sessions Of the main and constitu-
tional committees in the last few days
has caused general comment In pariia-
mentary circles as exceptional in view
of the copndential character of the dis
cuSsionS
Call on Chancellor.
The Zeitung Am Mittas. says that
deputation Of six members from the
social democratic party in the reichs-
tag called on Chancellor Won Bethmann
Hollweg late Friday for the purpose OF
impressinG the gravity of the situation
on him. The delegates insisted that the
chancellor make an uneQufvocal decla-
ration that the government was pre-
pared at any time to enter into peace
negotiations on the basis OF the status
quo. The deputatin also demanded i'm
mediate Introduction of parliamentary
and electoral reforms, urging the ap-
pointment Of leading reichstag deputies
to secretarial and ministerial posts,
Representatives of the progressive
peoples party and Of the national lib
erals also were in conference with the
chancellor.
There arc rumors that Prof. Adolf Won
Harnack, one Of the most intimate ad-
visers Of the emperor, Is slated TO sue
coed Herr Won Trott Zu Zolz as Prus-
sian minister Of education. The present
minister is said to be opposed to
sweeping electoral reforms.
Freely Discuss Situation.
Exeantional freedom of expression
marks the bulk of the editorial COM
ment on the political situation.
Affairs in the empire are facing
decision" says the Vorvaerts. IT Is to
to a standstill awaiting a decision,
and that Is about the worst thing that
could happen. It Is time to resume
governing either this way or that. This
feeling is general
att is possible to conceive Of a gov
eminent which withdraws all previous
peace proposals. postpones until after
the war all internal reforms and sup
achieve such reform or secure peace
It Is equally possible to imagine gov
eminent which. supported by the mass
of the people, undertakes Immediately
the demonstration OF public institu.
tons and reaffirms the standpoint OF
August 4 that this is a war of defense.
which Is to be ended as early as pos
sible without annexations or indem-
mites
Neither One Thing or Another.
"A government, however. which Is
oonoeivabie Yet this unthinkable thing
Is reality. We have a government
which Is striving to satisfy all FAC
ii ons The same old trot will no longer
right There is danger in delay. Quo
yadis Germany
Tho vossische Zeitung administers
yelled rebuke to the imperial chancel-
lor for his failure to appear at the ses-
sions of the main committee of the
reichstag, whore confidential discus
sicns were going on. Its editorial then
proceeds to assert that ''the conviction
Is gaining ground in parliamentary
demands strong political leadership
and effective support of the deeds of our
brave boys at the front 1t Is time to
examine to what extent measures
adopted by our responsible statesmen
are calculated to serve this purpose.
Says System Must Go.
THE reichstag must above all things
make up its mind that the only posi-
BILE act politically IL to be found in
demanding a change In the political
system from that which has obtained
=
ones self that the sacrifice Of the In
dividual secretaries of state will mend
things. II tho system Is wrong 1t must
go"
The Deutsche Tages Zeitung names
Herr Erxherger. the centirst leader, as
the speaker in the executive session OF
the main committee who limited that
affairs had arrived at a point where the
incumbsncy Of DR.. Won Bethmann Holl-
veg In the imperial chancellorship was
at stake. The organ OF the annexa-
tionfSts concludes by saying that II
Erzberger In this instance. too. Is to be
looked upon as the chancellor: pace
maker. 1t II high time the retchstag
take a muster In order that the en-
psror may learn what the German ma
ton thinks and wants. Tho newspaper
adds: |
THE German people. however. desire |
to keep their nerves even at the cost
Of an exchange Of chancellors."
The Taseblatt notes that the centrist |
party has expressly declared in favor |
of equal suffrage in Prussia and that
the scheme Of parliamentary reform |
also is winning adherents from this fac !