THE GERMAN SOCIALISTS.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume XLV, Issue XLV, 2 November 1917, Page 1

THE GERMAN SOCIALISTS.

FINDING THE TRUTH AT LAST. A SCATHING SPEECH. After tho new German Chancellor (Dr Micha.elis) liud addressed the Reichstag at tiie end of August in explanation of his policy, as outlined in the cabled messages of that date, he was-replied to by Heir Haase, who exposed the liollowness of tho Chancellor's pretensions as a reformer. _ it will be recollected that for some time Herr Haase was president of tho entire German Socialist party in the Reichstag, but wheal they split on the continuance: of the war policy he refused any longer to vote for the war credits, and, became leader of the minority section, which is now stylod the Independent Socialists. As was to bo expected, his speech on this occasion was censored, but an authorised report had found its way to Switzerland, and has been reproduced in the Socialist organs of that country. After'-some bitter remarks about German diplomacy Herr Haase proceeded to deal with the question of electoral reform. He pointed out that franchise reform had been promised, since 1908, and declared that the progress of events must inevitably lead to the establishment of a. social republic, adding: •' It is said that an inner connection between the Parliament and the Government is to be brought about by appointing some tried parliamentarians to official posts. Does anybody really believe that anv essential improvement is made hereby iu the conditions of the German empire. It- will merely fultil the desires of this or that man; he will be able to sun hiftisell in. the glitter of an official post. But that the people will gain great advantages thereby—that, gentlemen, nobody can seriously believe. Democratisation will have to be fought for. It can only be obtained by a. struggle and not by cunning diplomacy, not by fawning on the power of Government. " The Conservatives have 'expressed clearly, through the mouth of Cpunt Wes tarp, what they want. But what they want leads, if they are not stopped, to the ruin of our nation. For one must put on blinkers in order not to see the abyss that is opening in front of us, and into which we shall be plunged if the policy which the Conservatives recommend is continued. " How long is the war going to be continued ? If it goes with your wishes, then the time is not far off when our nation will be bled white and destroyed through exhaustion. You preach that we must keep our nerves. The nation hat kept its nerves, but it has slowly awakened out of the delirium of war. For years it has been consoled by whisperings that it will only last a little longer and then this dreadful war will be over. Again and again it has been consoled thus. Finally, August 1 of this year was •to bring the solution. It has even been hinted from on high that peace would soon be dictated. U BOAT WARFARE CRITICISED. " Herr Von Heydebrand quoted the admiral who foresaw the complete success of the submarine within a few months, so that England would then be compelled to beg for peace. We have read it again and again in the Pan-German Press, an«. it wont from mouth to mouth. The news that England had again abandoned the meatless days which she had introduced made several people whom I know stare in amazement. -Then came the definite news from England of the conditions of life there, that rice was stored iu great quantities and cost 3d per lb, that a dozen eggs could be bought for Is. Is, then, the nation to be kept in the delusion that in spite of all this England will soon be forced to beg for peace because she is starving? " It has been calculated in public that England's cargo space will soon be so reduced that she will be unable to continue the war. But there, again, the public has long ago come to the conclusion thatthe statistics placed before, it are quite false, aud that it has been forgotten to take into account the fact that the ton.nage of the whole-world is at England's disposal, and that it is consequently silly to take the losses which the submarines cause simply in proportion to the ships which belong to England alone. The new Chancellor warned us to-day against all too previous prophets, and in the same breath uttered the prophecy which was just as hasty and which will very soon be 'belied by events : that England will not be able much longer—this was the expression he used —to withstand the need for peace. Do we want to deceive our people? The great masses want truth, and will no longer be put off with vain hopes. FREEDOM OF THE SEAS. "A great complaint has been begun by Schiedermann about the political effects of the intensified and ruthless submarine warfare. Now, we have from the very beginning declared" that we are the submarine warfare from reasons of international law and humanity. We have continually pointed out that America and the other States would join our enemies. But they have 110 right to complain of these results who carried on the sub- | marine war with Count- Westarp and the rest, and demanded a more intense application of this weapon. •' As to the freedom of the seas, this always exists in time of peace. The only way to guarantee it is universal disarming and abolition of the right of capture. As for the attempt to effect a separate peace with Russia, nobody can believe that the peace resolution,j without- a word about the self-determniation of nationalities, will have a good effect abroad. As a matter of fact, Russia lias the greatest distrust of the German Government and their supporters. Nor will the Majority Socialists' declaration in Sweden be more efficacious. It has been ' condemned by all enemy and neutral Socialists." Herr Haase was for some time presiv dent of the whole Socialist party in tin s Reichstag, but when the party " split 01 I the question of continued support of tlx . war he became the leader of the mino e rity, which now styles itself the inde t. pendent Socialist party.