GERMAN ELECTIONS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1346, 25 January 1912, Page 5

GERMAN ELECTIONS.

STRENGTH OF PARTIES, By Telcrr»i>)l- Press AssocUtlon-Coprrfrtl (Rec. January 25, 0.25 a.m.) Berlin, January 21. The Centre and Conservatives command 188 seats in tho new Reichstag, and tho Socialists, Radicals, and Liberals 17G. • Berlin, January 23. Thirty-four more second ballots will take place on Thursday. GERMAN SOCIALISTS' MANIFESTO. The appeal issued by the German Social Democratic party is a long document, containing a very detailed criticism of the last Reichstag, and setting forth a complete programme of the party's demands. "At the Reichstag elections of 1907," it says, "the electors were deceived by the Government and tho so-called 'National parties, and many millions of electors let themselves be led astray- The Reichstag of the 'National' bloc .'has effected reactionary changes in the right of combination and public meeting, curtailed the use of non-German languages at meetings, robbed young persons of the greater part of their right of meeting, and sanctioned every demand for tho army, navy, and the colonies. The result has been an enormous addition to the burden? of the people. In spite of the taxation, amounting to over .£10,000,000, which had been granted in 1906; in spite of the. solemn aseuranoe of the Government through its semi-official organ, given immediately beforo the elections of 1307, that no new taxation, was contemplated, a new 'financial reform' to the tune of .£25,000,000 was introduced and carried through." The manifesto goes on to criticise the policy of the various parties in respect of the financial demands of the Government, and to describe how the indignation of the people found vent in tho striking victories of the .Social Democrats at the various elections a,nd by-elections to the Reichstag and the Diets of the various States of the Empire. In these circumstances, with nn eye to the impending general elections, the mischief-makers throw themselves wjth avidity on the Morocco business. I'From all sides," the manifesto declares, "the interested capitalist parties and the Nationalist shouters began the work of inflaming popular passions, and carried it to such lengths that even the Imperial Chancellor found 'himself compelled to throw into the face of his Junker allies the reproach that they wore abusing patriotism for party and electoral purposes. . . . New taxation, increased cost of living, curtailment of the people's rights," nml an ever-ineicasinj danger of war— this is what the Reichstai, elected in 1907 with such o 'National' din, has brought to the people." Thf manifesto then turns to the constructive part of the programme, and after setting out the Socialist ideal as that: of conquest of political power by the working class and the abolition of all classes, it puts forward n comprehensive series of demands for "palliating tho existing evils" and "enabling the working class to rise to a higher level of existence." These demands include democratisation of the State, introduction of adult suffrage and proportional representation, responsible government and Parliunientary control over foreign affairs, abolition of judicial system and the abolition of the standing army and the establishment of a citizen militia, reorganisation of tho administrative discretion, complete right of combination and of public meeting, labour legislation, disestablishment of the Church and free and secular education, abolition of all indirect taxation and graduated income, property, and inheritance tax, homo colonisation, n.ud so forth. In conclusion the manifesto points to the danger of naw Navy nnd Army Bills in the forthcoming Reichstag, which will still more increase the burden of the people; appeals to women to take their share in the campaign, and calls upon tho electors to assist in the laying of the foundation of a nev; and better political and social order which shall have for its watchword—"Death to want nnd Idleness! Work, broad, and justice for all!"