THE GERMAN ELECTIONS.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 11649, 31 July 1903, Page 4

THE GERMAN ELECTIONS.

The results of the elections held in Germany last month show a remarkable increase in the strength of the Social Democratic party. Some of the figures are surprising, particularly those which relate to the polling in the industrial district* and the rrrent centres of population. At Berlin the Social Democratic vote has increased by 63 000 since tbe la.-rt election. At Duisburg, in Rhenish Westphalia, there was an increase of 17.000. while tbe three Westphalian constituencies of Duisburg, Essen, and Boehum showed an aggregate increase of 52.800 votes. In Saxony, where they previously held twelve r-eats, the Socialists captured outright or retained on the first ballot eighteen out of the twenty-three seate, their polling being 100.000 more than that of all the other parties combined. In the city of Berlin

five cut of the six divisions were captured. In the .remaining division the Social Democrat .candidate polled the highest at the first ballot, but a second ballot

was necessary. In this case the Conservatives admitted the urgency of defeating tbe Social Democrats, and accordingly gave their support to the Radical candidate. The Socialists captured the great towns of Kiel and Bremen from the Radicals; and Konigsberg," Madgeburg, andFrankfnrt-on-the-Maine were the only large centres where they had not made a triumphant advance. In the first ballot 213 ont of the 397 constituencies finally returned their members, and the results were as follows: Clericals 88, Social Democrats 54, Conservatives 31, Poles li, other parties 26. The number of Sbeialist candidates involved in the second ballots was almost equal to the aggregate of all the other parties, and twenty-two more seats were gained, giving the party 80 seats in the new Reichstag as against SS at the last election. Most of

the successes of the Socialist* were at the expense of the Radical party. Tne Clericals went back 99 strong, and the Socialist party come next with 80 seats. With the disposition of the other parties the Government coalition possibly has a majority of 100 votes over the 115 commanded by the Opposition. With regard to the immense impetus given to tbe cause of the party which has been so successful at the polls, it is generally accepted that something more than the mere force of the rising tide of Socialism contributed to the Socialist success. The policy of the present Government has not been viewed -with unanimous favour throughout the Empire, and as the present Ministers lack the prestige of Bismarck, the people are not so willing to condone their frequent blunders. The lesson of the election is significant. It means thu** the industrial Germany of today is honfiycombed with discontent. Tho Kaiser realised this months ago when he appealed to the workers of Essen to check the spirit of Socialism, which he foresaw would bring no good to the Fatherland. But the discontent was more deep-rooted rhan could be remedied by the speech ol an Emperor. The workers of Essen polled 22.000 Social Democratic votes, as against 4400 at tbe previous election. All over the country Socialists did the same in greater or less degree, and it is doubtless true that there are nearly 4,000,000 Socialists and Radicals in Germany who are determined that their daily bread shall not be taxed to maintain a landed class which is largely bankrupt, and which claims a prescriptive right to civil office and military rank. There is no doubt there are many legitimate grievances which ought to be remedied. The Social Democrats reaped an enormous harvest of votes simply because they were the most determined opponents of the dilettante methods of the Government. The people know that the administration of justice in the country is severely criticised, even at congresses of jurists. The equality of citizens in the eyes of the law is still a fiction, and the civil service is greatly recruited from the ranks of the smaller nobility. The Conservative and reactionary parties are supported at the elections by Government officials, and the Government defers to them when they oppose great- measures, such as the Canal Bill, which is intended for the welfare of the people. The sympathies of the people have also been alienated by attempts to carry such measures as the antiRevolution and Penal Servitude Bills, and by the prospect of an increase in the excise duties on beer and tobacco. It is evident, therefore, that many forces other than the spirit of Socialism have contributed to place tho Social Democratic party in the German Reichstag in the prominent position it now occupies.