Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-01-04
Outlines Foreign and Do.
mestic Program to Be Pre-
sented to Assembly
SEEKS CHURCH RIGHTS
Will Likely Hold Balance of
Power and Work With
Conservatives
By EDWIN L. JAMES
Special Cable to Erening Public Ledger

and which, mastering from onefourth
TO one.third Of the political power In
Germany. may hold the balance in
the national assembly between the
radical elements and the Moderate
Socialists, has come out with its pro.
gram for the assembly.
This program is important not only
because 1t represents the desire OF
those three important parts OF Ger.
many, but also because the Centrists,
being the best-disciplined political
party in the country and the probable
possessor OF the balance of power, are
likely to have their program reflected
in any plan drawn up by the gather.
ing. In the present crisis they can
be absolutely relied upon to side with
the conservative elements.
In its appeal the party organization
says: "Old Germany has been shat.
tered by the world war and the revolu.
ton. In the midst of the storm ana
stress a new one is being born. 1t
is to be a free social commonwealth,
in which all branches Of the German
race and all classes and ranks. every
citizen without distinction on the
ground Of faith or party affiliation,
will feel secure.
United Action Needed
The duty Of creating this new Ger.
many does not devolve upon any par
ticular party. but upon the entire peo.
pie. All parties want to take part
In the work, and participation by all
will be necessary. For this purpose.
the internal and external renovation
of the old parties is required"
Following are some Of the party's
plans of foreign policy:
First. The immediate negotiation
of a preliminary peace. as a speedy
conclusion of world peace, 1t is set
forth, would enable the respective
peoples to come to aH understanding
and be reconciled to the establishment
OF a system of international law based
on the principles OF Christianity.
Second. The complete independence
of the Holy See, guaranteed by inter.
national pledged
Third The creation OF a League of
Nations. securing equal rights to the
large and small peoples. together with
the introduction OF compulsory arbi.
tration of all disputes. Simultaneous
disarmament on a large scale by all
is demanded.
Fourth. Protection of the minor.
tiles in all States.
Fifth Complete reorganization OF
the German foreign service in it's per
sonnel and it's material aspects, with
the abolition Of secret treaties.
Sixth. Freedom and equality as re.
CARDS industrial expansion for all peo.
pies and freedom OF the seas.
Seventh. International regulation
of rights; protection and insurance OF
labor.
Eighth. Territories suitable to the
German need for colonial expansion to
be secured, the education and Chris.
tian conversion OF tho natives to be
fostered. and all forms OF slavery to
be abolished.
Party's Domestic Policy
The following are important parts in
the party's domestic policy:
First. The national assembly to be
called promptly to frame a new con-
stitution.
Second Preservation OF the nations
unity and the strengthening of the ma
tional conception: preservation of the
individuality of the different German
branches by means of a confederation
of States created on democratic prin-
ciples
Third. Equal and universal suffrage,
including woman suffrage.
Fourth. A popular administration. de-
pending upon the legislature. with strong
executive powers in the nations and the
States OF the confederation.
Fifth. Equal participation by all
classes In public business and public
offices, without preference for caste or
class
sixth Preservation OF an independent
and professional civil service, its MEM
bers to have their positions secured for
them for life.
seventh. Freedom OF speech and the
press.
Economic and Social Policies
The party goes into great detail as to
economic and social policies for the new
Germany. l give several points:
An orderly. economic expansion for
the common good. based upon productive
labor private industry based on private
property rights to be reserved: public
utilities, whether operated by private
companies or cooperative associations
to be controlled by the State and dis
trict: monopolies based on private
capital TO be abolished.
The national subsistence to be assured
by the promotion of agricultural produc-
tom policy as TO real estate TO be
adopted for the good of all sweeping
tenement and migration reforms: col
onization of the Interior agricultural
production to be increased by the
cultivation Of the property owned by
the State and large landed estates.
| TIE burden of taxation to be distrib.
uted according to capacity TO bear II
large incomes to be subjected to specia
high rates, likewise large fortunes and
unearned increments; war profits to bt
subjected to special taxation and the
emigration of capital TO foreign coun
tries to be prevented: large differencei
I'm the burden of local taxes In the diff
ferent districts to be abolished the sit
uation and size OF families to be taken
into account in the assessment Of taxes
Conscientious and adequate provisloi
to be made for war cripples and for III,
widows and orphans of fallen soldiers
| Improvement in the method of fixing tn,
| amount of revenue to he collected a sys
/ TEN OF homestead rights with specia
/ provisions in favor of those who tool
part in the war.
In its educational program the party
| of course, insists on maintaining schools
under church supervision where tha
system now exists. Here are some pointl
of the educational plan.
First. The growth OF a national edu
cational system based upon Christian
| principles to be encouraged.
Second Far-reaching legislation con
cerning the growth Of the population
young and growing children TO be pro
tected: the Christian family ideal to b,
preserved and strengthened.
| mi In ha kEl