On Wednesday the German Constitutional crisis was debated in the
Reichstag. On behalf of the Federated Governments an important statement was made by Herr von Bethmann-Hollweg, the Imperial Minister of the Interior. The Federated Governments, he said, had no objection to the discussion of the subject by the Reichstag, and, indeed, its opinions would be carefully considered. He could not give any definite assurances till the votes had been taken. He explained that in the Constitution the responsibility of the Chancellor to the people was already recognised in principle, but the exact nature of that responsibility had never been defined, and the Reichstag itself had never expressed an opinion on the subject. Perhaps the time had come for a definite step to be taken, and if the Reichstag thought so, the Federated Governments would not stand in the way. The debate which followed was very instructive. The Socialists and Radical People's Party demanded full Ministerial responsibility,—nothing more nor less than what we have in Britain. But it is evident that the strong Centre Party and the National Liberals do not aim nearly so high. They dis- avowed any desire materially to alter the Constitution, though demanding more responsibility in the Chancellor. The debate was continued on Thursday, when it was decided to refer the whole matter to a Committee of twenty-eight Members. This was done in the face of much Conservative opposition. A fundamental change, however, is evidently some way off.
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