We doubt the conclusion of any bargain. As yet the
organs of the Centre are most hostile, and they are putting forward a new and powerful argument. They say that a conflict with the Imperial Government is not an unmixed loss, for if one is not waged soon, the authority of Parliament as a. leading factor in the State will have disappeared. The regular course now is for the Emperor to announce his opinion, for the Ministers to follow suit, and for the electors to be invited to regard all Members who oppose as "bad persons." This is Cmarism, not constitutional govern- ment even in its Continental sense, which allows to the Sovereign great executive prerogatives. It is probable that this argument will weigh heavily, if not with the German people at least with the Centre party, for although that party desires concessions, it is not willing to pay for them by sur- rendering its present position of arbiter between the parties. If the party resists the new naval proposal it will be thrown out, for not only does the Centre hold the balance of power, but the people at large are exceedingly sensitive as to further taxation. They are not sure that their commerce needs so much protection, and they are sure that rivalling Great Britain at sea will be very costly work.
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