The Congress of the German Socialists has been marked this
year by violent altercations between the Theorists, of whom Herr Bebel is now the head and spokesman, and who wish to maintain the purity of Socialist doctrine whatever the consequences, and the Opportunists, who think that certain concessions may be made for the sake of power. The Socialist Members of the Reichstag are now so numerous that they can claim to nominate one of the Vice-Presidents, and the Oppor- tunists wish to do so ; but Herr Bebel objects because the Vice- President would have to pay his respects to the Emperor. Much the same quarrel, it will be remembered, arose in France over the appointment of M. Millerand to a seat in the Cabinet. The German Socialists have not as yet decided on the question; but Germans are very practical, and it seems certain that the Opportunists will ultimately win. If they do not, the Socialists not only refuse any chance of power, but they will, it is believed, alienate important sections of their following. At least one half of those who vote for Socialist candidates do so, not because they believe in Socialism as a system which may supersede the present one, but because they desire more equality, reforms in taxation and in the Army, and better wages. They do not upon these points trust the so-called Liberals, and therefore vote for Socialists, who they are sure have similar desires to their own.
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