Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-02-18
GERMAN RADICALS
GAIN IN STRENGTH
government OF DIR. Michaelis Largely
Responsible for Recent Boom
or Organization.
OPPOSE ALL WAR CREDITS
OBJECTIONS From Moderate Wing
Mako Party Second Strongest on
Principal Reichstag Committees.
Bent Regulars at Leipzig.
Thy Associated Press.1

tDS associated Press.
I NEW YORK, February 17-The
radical Socialist move in Germany tho
growing strength OF which was shown
by the pcrsistency Of the political
strike In January and February, is
also gaining decided ground among
tho political leaders of German Social
Democracy.
This information was obtained by
the Associated Press finn German
newspapers received here. Tho little
group OF radical Socialists In tho
iteichslaS, under the leadership Of
iihasc. Ledcbour and Bernstein. who
spitt OF from the caucus organization
OF the regular. or Scheidemann. So
c'a'isis on the issue of voting funds
Tor the war and formed an independent
organization. has now grown by con-
':nnec OBJECTIONS from the moderate
"!nS Ia strength emitting IL 20 a
second member on the principal Reich
stag committees. Tho additional rcD-
rcscntation Is gained at the expense OF
ihe regular Socialist organization.
which II the beginning OF the war was
The largest party In the ReichstaE, but
which has now fallen to second rank
behind the Catholic Center. Four So
ciaiist members of tho Reichstag-
brandcs. DR.. Erdmann. Ieutmann and
Jacckel-went over to tho radicals a.,
tho beginning OF the year.
Recent elections at Leipzig brought
eighteen radical Socialists into the
city council. The regular Socialists SC
cured only six places. Tho radical So
cialists. who thus formed the third
strongest party In the council de-
manded the second vice-prcsidency as
their quota OF the presiding officers,
but tho non-Sociaiis. aldermen to
whom the radical Socialists are anath-
cma. united with the regular Socialists
20 give this ONCE to one of tho six
moderate Soc!a! Democrats, whereupon
the radical Socialists refused to par
t!c!patc IN the organization OF the
council
LEIPZIG IS one OF the s,rongholds o:
the radical Socialists. their principal
newspaper organ. the Leipzig Volks
Ze!iung. being published there.
The radicals have been badly OF 80
far as press Is concerned tho vor-
waerts and other important Socialis,ic
organs having been retained by tho
regular party organ. Editors OF the
radical school have been discharged
Wholesale from the party organs.
Tho government OF DR.. Michacl!s was
largely responsible for the boom of the
radical Socialist organization. Tho
charges against IIaase. Dittmann and
Nogtherr. OF the radical Socialist
group In tia Reichstag. Of inspiring
and abetting the alleged mutiny in the
navy last summer launched in the
Michaelis In an effort to save his ad-
ministration. did not complete tho dis.
credit Of the radical group as expected
They really helped tho radicals among
tho nom Socialist parties and the public
at largo. since II was known that tho
government had earlier informed the
party leaders in the Reichstag that
there were no grounds for g. prosecu-
ton.
Tho transparent attempt OF Michael!s
to rally support In tho ReichstaE on
lingo issue resulted in the downfall
OF Michaels and In securing for tho
radical Socialists the standing OF
serious political party. which their
methods had earlier shaken. They are
opposed to all votes OF credit for the
wa-. and for an immediate stoppage
OF lighting. and have. unlike the rcgu-
lar Socialists. persisted in the original
Socialist attitude Of opposition to the
monarchical system.