New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-05-05

Socialism has been growing so rapid
~ in Germany during the war that if
a national election were held to-day
and all men permitted to vote the So
cialist party would dominate the
Reichstag. Officials and army leaders
realize this, and it is one of the rea-
sons there were no elections for Parlia-
mcnt last fall. as the German constitu-
ton provided. Socialism and democ-
racy 60 hand in hand IN Germany. just
before Ambassador James W. Gerard
left Berlin every one was talking about
the reform which would come after the
war. Desiring peace above everything
else. the Socialists and the people, who
want changes in their system Of gov
eminent, are supporting the military
leaders because they believe a united
Germany can get the best terms from
the Amcricanized Entente.
To keep up with the growth IN So
cialism the government has had TO
make large number of changes in
policies during the war. When food iirst
became very scarce the Socialists de-
manded that the government conhscate
all food supplies. so that the available
food might be equally distributed
Philipp Schcidemann, the dominant So
cialist figure in German politics, IS
credited with having originated the
bread card. When the government Food
DEPARTMENT was established and Presl-
dent Won BatocN was called from East
Prussia TO head it the Socialists de-
handed that they be recognized. And
for the first time in the history OF Ger
many the Kaiser appointed Socialist
DIR. Charles Mueller-as one OF the
members of the Food Board. Last iall'
when the Emperor came TO Beillh 70
discuss the food situation with repre-
sentatives from all parts oil Germany
he held a long conference VITA u
Mueller at the Chanccllors palace;
Aftorward the newspapers announced
his majesty had received TINS SoclalisC
end discussed earnestly with MN inc
food situation. 1t had good enec1
upon the Socialists and the people ~hGh
thew read that their Kaiser had really
consulted one of their NUMBER
Radicals Oppose Credits
When the war broke out the Socialist
members of the ReichstaG as a unit
voted with the other members for the
first war credits. But since then the
marty has split, and at present there is
= Social Democratic party, led by
Scbeidemann, and a Socialist Labor
marty. led by Wolfgang Heine and
Eduard Bernstein. Scheidemann's group
has been the strongest supporter OF
the Chancellor and the government IN
the Reichst&g, and because the Chan-
,eIlor has made so many concessions 10
mis- group Scheidemann has been con
sidered a semi-official spokesman OF the
government. The radical wing OF the
partv. however, is not only opposed 10
tbe principles Of the Social Democratic
0roup. but its members believe the So
cialIsts made e mistake in voting for
the first war credits. During the last
two sessions of the ReichstaS wheh
war credits were voted this minority
party voted against the proposed FUNDS
Tor the continuation of the war.
II IS difficult 10 tell IN war tunes
which one of these groups represents
Tho most people. In the few elections
which have been held to fill vacancies
in the Reichstag caused by the death
OF members the two groups nave 1areu
about equally. Scheidemann, because
Of his popularity among the people
and because he Is practically the ohIy
Socialist who is permitted by the gov
Z
considered the most influential Social
ist in Germany. Bernstein and ms iol-
lowers, who are secretly antl-Hoheh-
zollern and anti-army, are prevented
from holding public meetings, ana the
government has refused TO recognlZ re
their group as a special pollcai party
When the Chancellor calls the party
leaders to his palace Tor conference
he never invites the radlcallsts. But
from the standpoint OF democracy IN
Germany this small Socialist LABOR
group has the most advanced ldeas.
Bernstein was one of the first Germans
TO approve the ideas Of the American
League TO Enforce Peace, and he has
been an exponent of American ideas IN
Germany. He is an old man, and there
fore not as daring as Scheidemann or
Lebknecht. but having spent some
thing like fifteen years IN England ana
having son in London to-day, he IS
at heart thorough democrat ana
man who believes la republican Ger
many.
Scheidemann Forceful Leader
Personally Scheidemann impresses
one as being sincere and earnest lie
is as well educated as any public man
in Germany to-day. He IS one OF the
most forceful orators there, and I'M
presses every one he meets with ms
masterful executive ability. lie is prac-
tically the dictator Of the policies and
ideas of the "Vorwarts." Many OF the
leading editorials in this newspaper arc
written by him. He has his office on
the fourth floor OF factory building
together with other of his Socialist
colleagues. and because his advice ana
help are sought by so many people he
is one of the most difficult men in Ger
many to see.
The chief Socialist centres in Ger
many arc Berlin, Munich, Essen, Lelp-
sic and Stuttgart. The Berlin Social
lists are not as radical as those in Ba-
varia and in the Rhine industrial sec
ton. For instance, last fall when food
became so very scarce that many people
began to fear there would not be
enough for the country 20 hold out the
Munich Socialists wrote to the Cham
cellor suggesting that all food IN Ger
many, even that IN possession OF prl-
yate families. be conhscated. The poor
know that people with money have been
able to buy food in large quantities