THE DEMOCRATISING OF GERMANY

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3049, 10 April 1917, Page 5

THE DEMOCRATISING OF GERMANY

KAISER'S BID FOR PUBLIC FAVOUR

FRANCHISE REFORMS

' London, April 8. The Kaiser lias instructed <tbe Imperial Chancellor (Herr -von BethmannHollweg) to draft franchise reforms for Prussia, including a secret election *>f the Diet and a more democratic Cpper House. ' .

.According to the German -papers which publish the Kaiser's letter to the Chancellor, the former admits that the people's war sacrifices the' abolition of unequal suffrage. The Kaiser pays a tribute to the nation's unity in'-the war, and to its sacrifices at liome - and in the field, which have broken down social barriers and opened jv new era. Ho commands Heir von Betlimaun-Hollweg immediately to prepare'definite plans enabling die whole ipeoplo to co-operate in -political .life. The reform is .to* "bo adopted without delay on the soldiers' return, which he confidently hopes will not be far distant. The measures must Include direct secret electionof the deputies.

'The' Kaiser is convinced that the Prussian Upper House must be more representative' of :all classes, 'including the trading interests —Ans.-N". Z. Cable 'Assn. : ''

A-"SOP TO THE'SOCIALISTIC CERBERUS." . . (Rec. April 10, 0.30 a.m.) London, April , 9. Newspajjcr comment on the Kaiser's manifesto states-that, it is a-"sop to tiie 'Socialistic Cerberus," following on' the [Russian revolution, and the necessity for placating public opinion in view of the new loan. Tiie ''papers-de-clare-that the manfesto cannot be taker ! seriously. ; '

SERIOUS RIOTS. , TROOPS REFUSE TO FIRE ON THE , . . ■ CROWDS. Amsterdam, April 8. There was serious: rioting at Dusseldorf on Monday. The military was called out-, but many of , tlio' ; soldiers refused to fire on the people;" Those.isol-. diers who refused were shot by their officers. Two hundred soldiers and civil-, ians were killed.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.. ■ •