31 JANUARY 1903, Page 17

On the resumption of the debate in the German Reichstag

on Friday week the Vice-President announced the resignation of Count Ballestrem. In a written communication to the Rouse the President stated that his rulings had been sharply criticised by. the Kreuz Zeitung, .the leading Conservative organ, and that he could only interpret such criticism as im- plying that he had forfeited the confidence of that party, which he considered essential to his successful conduct of public business. The President's explanation was evidently regarded as unconvincing, as the representative organs of other equally influential parties had criticised him with greater severity ; and he was re-elected on Thursday by a malority of 195 to 86, and consented, to resume office.. In- .

any case, his temporary retirement proved an unexpected triumph for the Socialists. .