New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-23
Does the New German Gov
eminent Sound Autoc-
racy's knell?

ing aims; only IL is so convinced that the
programme of the Hertllng Cabinet must
first he carried out before the Socialists
can begin to realize their hopes that they
are willing to postpone the realization Of
their own specific political plans. II fore
casts the remoter future thus: THE later
struggles, which may come some day, will
be fought out upon another arena-upon
the arena Of the parliamentary system, the
protection Of which will be an important
task Of the party"
Transferring attention 10 the opposite
pole of thought, it is in order to register
the views of the Conservatives. The COM
ments Of their newspapers are in tone
Of deep disappointment; they recognize
that n violent break has occurred in the
political structure of Germany. The
"Deutsche Tageszeitung," the organ Of
that queer product of Germany arlstoc-
racy, Count Won Reventow, complains bit
terly that Hertling is 'the first German
Chancellor to begin his official career by
tearing to pieces the prerogatives Of the
Kaiser and by pounding to fragments the
spirit Of the Bismarckian constitution.
The paper says that Hertling is not the
leader, but is led by the majority
which looks extremely like recognition
Of the fact that the parliamentary system
has actually been put in force.
The other Conservative papers Of Berlin
ors Ices extravagant i'm their grief, with
the execution of the "Neueste Mach
rjchten." which is usually described as
the "Krupp organ It is in state OF
great perturbation. After expressing Its
deep regret over the outcome Of the Caoi-
net crisis, it writes:
oI. would be only sticking ones head IN the
sand. ostrich-like, TO characterize as eXagger.
ated or premature the present Juoiatloh OF
the democratic press when II claims thaJ 'he
parliamentary system, although not yet eS-
tablished upon paragraph OF the cohs'l'u-
ton. has nevertheless actually oeen lh1ro.
duced in Germany It is not the calling OF
members Of the parlaments into the govern
mont that depresses us. What we
ba,,e ,rotested against. and shall continue TO
nrotest against. is the idea that forms the
basis Of the parliamentary system. namely
that the monarch is 20 be compelled by
Relchstag majority to appoint as ministers
certain persons selected by the majority
uarties from their own ranks. This process
which is the characteristic feature Of the
parliamentary system, applied success
fully by the Reichstag majority during this
Cabinet crisis. We must confess that the
majority parties OF the Reichstag-wlth
which the National Liberals now, 70 our deep
regret. are no longer loosely attached, but
arc firm sllics-have pursued their path ac-
cording TO plan and careless Of consequences
All such persons. however, as have hitherto
battled for the maintenance Of strong powers
in the hands Of the Kaiser must be painfully
affected by the fact that the Crown-under
the pressure brought TO bear upon it-has
been badly advised by the personalities sur
rounding it as 10 the power and extent of the
resistance that should have been interposed.'
The editor remarks further on In his
lengthy lamentation:
"The non-Socialst parties under the lead
ership of Erzberger, Dr.. Stresemann and Won
Payer wrested from the Crown settlement
Of the Cabinet crisis in accordance with the
forms Of the parliamentary regime. and in do
ing so they helped TO sweep away the night
est hindrance to the complete characterization
Of GERMANY