New-York tribune., 1920-06-06

There is just one element Of uncer-
talnty in the case: the Communists arc
nominating candidates this time, and
they have been cutting into the follow
ing Of the Independents in all the big
cities and industrial centers.
Big losses for the coalition are there
fore absolutely certain; but it is hardly
probable that it will lose control over
the Relchstag.
The election law to control the Sc
lection of members of the Reichstag
was passed last month, as the first step
IN preparation for the elections. Oddly
enough, that law necessitated an
amendment Of the constitution adopted
only last August. But constitutions
are easily amended in Germany; and
SO nobody got excited over the matter
lhe thing was done speedily-once the
National Assembly got around to it.
1t was like at the druggists: "Will
you wait, or would you prefer to call
tor it in half hour?"
Doctored the Constitution
The necessity for doctorng the con-
stltutlon so soon arose in this way:
That document provides that the mem
bers Of the Reichstag must 90 forth
from elections" Now there are dis
tricts where it is not possible at pres
ent to hold elections. That is in the
plebiscite regions. There the frontiers
of Germany are not yet determined;
and the occupation OF them by Entente
armies makes political agitation diff
cult. SO it was decided that the cleo
tlons to the Reichstag could not include
those regions for the present, that they
must wait till their frontiers are fixed.
But what was 70 be done in the mean
time? Let them go without representa-
ton! BY no means, was the answer;
let their present representatives. in the
National Assembly hold over and con-
tlnue representing their constituencies
TIL frontiers are fixed. But that re-
quircd an amendment of the constitu-
ton for the reason that these holdover
members would not "go forth from
elcctlonS.' But there was no opposi-
ton to this little amendment, and,
strange TO tell, IN country so racked
and rent by sharp political differences,
there was not negative vote on the
election law. That must surely be a
supere xcellent law that could COM
mand a unanimous vote.
Well, 1t has its strong points that
must be admitted. 1t aims, practically,
al DONG what no election law in any
other country ever has done, namely.
~ (, < lt'll lcplcSt!INdl 10 every
man or woman that wants it, even to
minority representation down to the
second or even fifth degree.
1t should be added that under this
system there are no extra elections.
When a member dies or resigns the
next candidate on his district list IN
herts the seat by right which offers
certain solace TO defeated candidates; {;
they can live in hope even though they
fall just outside the brcastworks.
Whether this measure Will prove the
permanent election law of Germany re-
mains to be seen. 1t is spoken Of IN
deed, as a provisional law. passed in
hurry and only to meet the require
mcnts for the forthcoming election on
June IS; but it has so many excellent
points that these viii most probably
be retained in any law adopted here
after. The fact that it could secure
unanimous vote in the National
Assembly, with its sharp differences of
political creed, is certainly strong pre-
sumptivc evidence in it's favor
Another thing that has been settled
is that the election Of the first prcsi-
dent under the new constitution will
not be held on June 6, along with the
Reichstag. 1t has been postponed
owing TO those unsettled frontier prob
lens; its date will be fixed later by
the new Rcichstag. and President
Ebert Will hold over till a new Prcsl-
don't shall be elected