New-York tribune., 1918-04-18

generally recognized by German busi-
ness people. 1t is frequently said
among them that German merchants
will have to suffer for the sins of Ger
man diplomatists, and that it will
take them many years to overcome the
strong antiGerman current that is
now running in the world. 1t may be
added here that one of the first re-
forms that they will insist upon, if
they should ever reach position where
they can influence such matters at all,
will be to insist upon a radical over
hauling of the diplomatic service, with
the elimination of the Junker-corps
student element.
One of the first economic questions
that Germany will have to answer after
peace will be what to do with the
various semi socialistic organizations
that have been created during the
course of the war. Many persons who
take part in running those concerns.
as we'll as outsiders of socialistic pro-
clivities, have been demanding that the
organizations be retained permanently
as organs of the more socialistic gov
ernment expected after the war.
But by far the greater part of the
business men Of the country are strong
ly opposed to such a course, and the
government it is certain, agrees with
them. Several weeks ago Won Sydo, the
Prussian Minister of Commerce, said
in public speech: eve have had
enough of the compulsory economic
system under the state during the war;
as soon as the war is over we must re-
turn to the individualistic system"
Political Forecast
Is Very Difficult
And few days later Won Payer,
the Vice-Chancellor of the empire,
said, "The government has no thought
of perpetuating organizations which
were necessary indeed for the war,
but which were only created for it."
1t is not probable, however, that the
war will pass away without leaving
some permanent marks along the path
toward socialism. The government, as
was shown in a previous article, has
compelled various industries to organ
izc themselves into syndicates or trusts
under government auspices. Such COM
pulsory trade organizations are not in
cluded, apparently, among the war or
CARNATIONS which the ministers say
must be disbanded; for they are but
continuation of policy deliberately
adopted before the war and which will
certainly be continued.
| And socialist organizations of an
other kind are likely to be adopted.
| In order to raise revenue to meet the
enormous expense described in my last
article the government can hardly rely
upon taxation alone. 1t is highly prob
able that state monopolics in various
articles (possibly cigars and cigarettes,
alcohol and matches) will be estab-
Eshed. Count Poscadowsky, the former
Secretary Of the Interior; recently ad-
VOcated this course in speech in the
Reichstag.
The political development of Ger
many after the war is too large a sub
jcct to be treated here. Nevertheless,
cannot close this series of articles
without expressing few of my
thoughts upon the matter.
Universal Suffrage
Appears Certain
I can give attention, and but brief
ly, to only two questions-th Prussian
electoral reform and the movement
toward the parliamentary system of
government. The latest Developments
in Germany convince me that the re-
form of the Prussian suffrage system
will be adopted; there will be univer-
sal suffrage. Reports of some three
months ago as to the failure of the
measure were based upon the fact that
several National Liberals on the Suf-
frage Committee Joined with the Con-
servatives to adopt a substitute meas
ure, with plural votes for certain