Academic Victory

Before the War, Germany was a Confederation of States under the hereditary presidency of the King of Prussia as German Emperor. Since the enactment of the Constitution of Weimar in 1919, Germany is a Federated Republic, much the same as the United States. Prussia, however, retains her old supremacy and the proceedings of the Diet which rules that State, apart from affecting the greater portion of German territory, have an enormous influence in the 17 other States (Bavaria, Wurttemberg, Saxony, etc.).

Recently, the German People's Party (semi-Monarchists) withdrew its two members-Herr Richter, Minister of Finance, Herr Doktor Boelitz, Minister of Education from the Socialist Government of Prussia, headed by Herr Otto Braun. Premier Braun took over the vacant portfolios.

Such was the position during the past week. The Monarchists were not slow to take advantage of this situation and they, aided and abetted by their faithful henchmen, the members of the German People's Party, planned an attack.

The Communists, surprisingly enough, led the attack by presenting a motion that the Government lacked the Diet's confidence. A vote resulted in 221 ayes, 221 nos.

A motion was then introduced declaring that Premier Braun, as Minister of Education, lacked the Diet's confidence. Voting resulted 220 for the 217 against. Loud cheering from Monarchists, People's Party and Communists, who declared that the Government must resign. Herr Bartels, Socialist Speaker, was of a different opinion. He declared that a vote of no confidence required an absolute majority of the 450 Deputies that form the Diet (226) ; this number they had failed to obtain.

A vote on motion expressing no confidence in the Premier, as Minister of Finance, was taken, resulted 221 in favor, 218 against. The Speaker again voiced his objections to a Government resignation.

As a last effort, the Monarchists called for a vote on a motion to withdraw confidence from all Socialist members of the Cabinet. This vote resulted in 223 ballots against the Cabinet. The Speaker once more ruled that the Government was not obliged to resign, and such caterwaulings broke out that he was forced to suspend the session.

Soon after, the Cabinet, evidently convinced that the absentees would join the Opposition and defeat it on the first possible opportunity, resigned; and the Diet was adjourned until Feb. 3.