The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-07-12
The German Agitation.

Throughout the German empire the
people are agitated and anxious because
of the disappointing prolongation of the
war, the consequent hardships they have
to endure, and the growing uncertainty
of a victory as their reward. OF that
there can be no doubt. And it may be
that their anger seeks a seapegoat. But
in the Reichstag proceedings it is not
easy to mark the line of division be-
tween popular discOntentment and party
play for political advantage. Not yet
is there any clear sign of the approach
of such a revolution, broad based upon
the peoples will" as that which has
expelled autocracy from Russia and
founded self-governing nation. Silence
regarding the emperor may be ascribed
eism OF him a crime. The only thing
heard against his dynasty is the whis'
pered opinion that his successor should
rather be the Drown prince of Bavaria
than the crown prince OF Prussia. But
unless the Prussians say this it will not
come to pass. For Prussia has about
six times the population of Bavaria; in
the Bundesrat, or federal council, IL of
: the 81 delegates are Prussian, and only
six Bavarian, and in the Reichstag only
IS of the 397 members represent Baya
ria, while Prussia has 236. Prussias is
the power, and nothing short of necessi-
ty would unite her parties and people
in agreeing to let the German empire
pass from the direct control of the Prus-
sian monarchy.
But it is quite possible for the Prus-
slams in the Reichstag, under the pres
sure of popular dissatisfaction, to units
in forcing from power any of the emper-
or's ministers-ssy Zimmerman or Helf
ferich-ss a protest against the policy
of the emperor himself. Is such a pro-
test the purpose OF the movement to
cause the withdrawal of Chancellor Won |
Bethmann Hollweg from Office, and, if so,
against what policy is it directedl Herr
Ezrberger, who has somewhat suddenly |
risen to leadership of the Center party, |
is opposed to the indiscriminate destruc-
tion of merchant ships by submarines,
and to a scheme of annexation as con-
dition of peace. He would have peace
without annexation or indemnity. And
there is something else he desires-the
introduction of a parliamentary system
of government. Such system is great
ly needed in Prussia, where franchise re-
strictions fetter the people. And it is
needed for the empire, in which univer-
sal suffrage is Knocked by the powerless-
ness of the Reichstsg to impose its will
on the Buntiesrat or the government ex-
cept by the extreme act of a refusal of
supplies. It is a question whether the
present public agitation has given ma
jority of the members the courage req
uisite for so strong a step.
As both the emperor and his ehsncel-
Tor have spoken soft words in regard to
Prussian franchise reform, and have not,
20 far as we know, said anything definite
against an improved parliamentary sys-
tenn for the empire, it must be presumed
hat the revolt of the Center party is
connected with the war, and due 10 the
of annexation and indemni-
les as conditions of people IL is for /.
peace that the weary, hungry people
~, and they see the annexation and in /.
iemnity demands a. obstacles. That this
view should be taken by the Center /.
,arty is surprising. On the Center the
government has been wont 20 lean. The
,arty is strong, its membership in the
being 90, OF only 20 short
Il that Of the Social Democrats, who
IRE weakened by division on this war
question. What the outcome Of the re- {
.olt in the Reichstag will be We do not
.enture to predict. As long as William
: war lord it may be entirely Intellectual. !
{ viii certainly d. nothing to diminish
he energy Of the American government :
n it's work of putting the forces Of
reeaom into the field to win a just and |,
sstinz peace. As against the kaiser the {
nsurvent parliamentsrisns are right :
Germany will gain neither land nor mon
y By her var on eiviliEation.-BOston !
Isrsld.