GERMAN TROUBLES.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 856, 30 June 1910, Page 5

GERMAN TROUBLES.

CHANCELLOR LOOKING FOE A NEW TEAM. By Toleeraph—Presa Association—Cooyrlehl Berlin, June 28. Baron von Schoeu and Herr von Rheinbaben havo resigned their portfolios as Secretary for Foreign Affairs, and Minister for Finance respectively. The journal "Fraukfurle Zcitung" soys that the President of the Council of Ministers and German Chancellor (Herr von Bethmann-Hollwcg), after his past twelve months' experience, especially in tho Parliamentary field, desires more energetic colleagues.

A TOP-HEAVY CONSTITUTION. The German Constitution was constructed by Bismarck, to bo worked by Bismarck in the circumstances which existed when it was made. Thoso circumstances, says "Tho Times," havo undergone a transformation as complete as it is marvellous since then. From being a St'a.te mainly agricultural and largely feudal, Germany has developed into a great industrial and manufacturing nation. But even Bismarck could not contrive to wbrk tho old machinery with success in present conditions, and the present Chancellor, Herr von Bethmann-Holhveg, is certainly not a Bismarck. The country is uneasy because it feels that the existing institutions no longer fully satisfy its new political and social needs. But its uneasiness does not at present threaten any of tho terrible consequences which the reactionaries hint. Public opinion in Prussia, and particularly in tho older possessions of tho Prussian Crown, ,is still ultra-Consorvativo amongst the classes that really govern. The present Chancellor enjoys tho reputation of being a Prussian statesman of moderate and enlightened views. Yot tho remarkable speech which he delivered on the first reading of the Franchise Dill betrayed a curious want of sympathy and of understanding for some of the dominant ideals and aspirations of modern Liberalism.