New-York tribune., 1917-07-11
Hollweg Regime
Tottering, View
Of Teuton Press
"New Yorker Volks-Zei-
tung" Declares Socialists
Will Force Reforms

Berlin, the "New Yorker Volkszeitung'
(Socalst) yesterday said:
"If what the world hears is correct,
the German government is in the midst
of a serious crisis. The Majority So
cialists, who have heretofore been the
chief support of Chancellor Won Beth
mann Hollweg, now appear 10 recognize
that they ought to return 10 their
natural position as an opposition party.
They have sent a committee of sixteen
men to the Chancellor TO call his atten-
ton 10 the critical character of the
situation, which Herr Ho!lweg himself
certainly senses without their aid.
"The committee demanded from the
Chancellor that the government an
nounce that it still stands by its deca-
rations Of August, 1914. and that it is
ready ct any time TO make peace on
the basis Of the status quo before the
war.
Demand Share in Government
"The committee also emphasized the
necessity Of a parliamentary form OF
government and demanded that all the
parties in the Reichstag be associated
with the government, even TO the ex-
tent that leaders Of all the parties shall
enter the ministry as secretaries and
under secretaries If such a demand
was actually made. il would mean that
the Majority Socialists desire the in
stalation of Socialist Cabinet officers,
who. in cooperation with the leaders
of the other parties, will so shape the
government as 70 realize the dreams of
Heine, David and Scheidemann.
at seems that the proposition Of
the committee Of the Majority Social
lists fell on fruitful ground. for it has
been limited in press dispatches that
the government itself had already
formed the idea of naming Cabinet
Secretaries from the membership of
the Reichstat. The domestic situa-
tion in Germany is doubtless such that
the government no longer wishes to
bear the sole responsibility for It. and
is willing, by summoning the leaders
Of the Reichstag parties 70 its assist
ance. 10 shift to them at least par
tial responsibility for future measures
and conditions.
Centrists Also Rebel
"A part Of the Centrum, the demo-
! cratic part, seems also TO have had
| enough OF the present system. A
leader of this section, Matthias Err
| berger. in secret session of Reichs-
| tag committee, has sharply criticised
| the past policy of the government and
I pictured the U-boat war and the Pam
: Germanists, with their excessive de-
mands for anneXations, as the chief
/ hindrances 10 a speedy peace. He de-
mands, in harmony with the Social
/ Democrats, the introduction Of a par
/ liamentary system and a peace with
| out annexatiOns or indemnities.
at remains to be seen how strong
! is the section Of the Centrum party
which Erzberger can carry with him
| in opposition 70 the government. In
/ cluding the Socialists and the other
/ opponents Of the government, among
/ whom may be found some OF the Con
servative enemies OF the Chancellor, a
! majority may be formed in the Reichs-
/ tag against the Chancellor, which will
I make it impossible for him to continue
/ longer IN Office"
! The "New-Yorker Stats s-Zeitung."
under the caption, "Gsrmany's Oppor-
( tunity." published the following:
at would have been surprising If a
world upheaval such as we are expert
! encing had left the political thought
of Germany untouched. That the les
sons TO be learned from the Russian
revolution would pass unnoticed by the
/ liberals Of Germany was not at all TO
! be expected. The only question that
remained 20 be answered was how far
/ they were warranted in going at this
/ time in altering the fundamental law
Of the empire. That certain changes
in it are absolutely necessary is widely
admitted.
"The accession Of Matthias Erzberger,
Centrist leader Of great influence, TO
| this group would seem TO be clear from
/ the happenings Of Saturday. when he
made a speech that committed ma
| iority Of his party absolutely 70 imme-
diate reform not only Of the Prussian
( ballot laws but OF reforms affecting
| the whole empire and 'fatly came
out for n peace by common consent Of
such nations as have not completely
| lost their senses The members Of
this group are opposed 10 a prosecu-
ton of the war a day longer than is
necessary TO secure TO Germany an
honorable peace. They hold that that
can be had to-day. They are not gun
ming for tributary provinces. What
/ they are bent upon obtaining is the
Immediate reform cf the German con
stitutlon along The liacs Of present.