The Irish standard., 1917-07-14
Center Party in Germany
Now Holds Balance
Of Power.
Catholic Organization Founded by
Windthorst Has Come to the
Front to Reform Prussian
Suffrage System.

olic Center Party now holds the bal
ance of power in Germany and that
without it no premier could be sue
cessful, is the statement of Ray Bev-
eridge, an American newspaper CORE
spondent, now in Germany. In dis
patch dated Berlin, June 18TH" he
points out that the Center Party is a
coAmoners' party, favoring the extern
sion of the right of suffrage, and that
without it's practical support Germany
would not today be so far advanced
in the matter of social legislation.
The following is Ray Beveridge's in
teresting account:
"The coming session of the Reichs-
tag will be the most important in the
history of modern Germany. It prom
Uses to result in the adoption of a
constitutional revision providing for
the establishment of a representative
parliamentary government.
Although Prussia is a military ma
ton, the wheels of the internal politi-
cal machinery are operated by engi-
neers who are seeking the upbuilding
Of the government on the basis of So
cial reforms which will make for ma
tional order and organization.
zone of the most remarkable men
in German public life is Matthias Err
berger. When 1 first met him he re-
minded me of James A. Patten. He
is like a genial, energetic American
business man. He does not corner
wheat, like Patten, however, but fixes
the prices of commodities instead.
"He is the leader of one of the
strongest parties in the Reichstag. It
was through his tireless energy that
the Center (Catholic) Party has de-
veloped so powerfully in recent years.
The growth of Catholicism in Prussia
is shown by the fact that, although
the Kaiser is Protestant, papal
nunciature is to be established in Ber-
lin after the war.
"The Catholic Center Party is now
the strongest group in the Reichstag.
It has ninety-one members out of a
total of 1917. It is a commoners party,
and it's strength has been undimin-
ished since the beginning of the en-
pire, varying from 80 to 106 members.
"The unchanging strength of this
party is due to the fact that Catholics
throughout the empire regard it as
their representative, although it is not
religious, it's membership being made
up of non-C Catholics as we'll as Cath
olics.
"The Center Party always reaches a
full agreement among it's members be-
fore presenting it's conclusions in the
Reichstag. Without the Center Party
no premier could continue successful.
Therefore there are periods in which
this party works in harmony with the
government in matters which are most
productive of benefits to the people.
Erzberger has been a member of
the governing body of the Catholic
Center Party for years.
Since 1870 the Catholic Centrists
have always favored the extension of
the right of suffrage. It endorsed the
stand outlined by the Kaiser in his
Easter message for adult suffrage and
the abolition of the plural vote. Elec-
ton reform has it's staunchest friends
in the Center Party. The Center
Party, however, believes that electoral
reforms should come after the war.
"The Center Party has supported
protective duties for the development
of German agriculture, and has been
a strong advocate of social laws.
Without its support Germany today
would not have its high standard for
workmen nor the sytem of insurance
and benevolent funds which are i'm.
portant features of it's social organi
cation.
"The Centrists have taken a firm
stand for the preservation Of the mid
die class, and intend to bring about
important reforms in favor of the