One hundred years ago
BY far the most important single inci- dent in the German elections is the amazing growth of the Socialist vote in Berlin . . . . Contrast Berlin with Lon- don. London, with its infinitely greater population, its millions living on wages only, its absolute freedom of social life, is distinctly Conservative in tone. No avowed Socialist could in London obtain a seat; the skilled workmen regard Socialist ideas as unpleasing dreams; and if we deduct foreigners, the party is numerically almost minute, wholly unable, at all events, to produce the trained and drilled army with which the Socialists, if left alone, could domin- ate Berlin. What is the reason of that difference? It is not race, for the population in both capitals belong in the main to the Teutonic family, the Poles of Berlin being probably exceeded in proportional number by the non- German foreigners in London. We have townsful of Swiss, Italians, and even Asiatics. It is not want of education, for Berlin is the better-educated place of the two. It is not religion in the usual sense, for Berlin officially holds the same religion as London, while the largest bodies which dissent from it are Roman Catholics, to whom Socialism should be abhorrent, and Jews, who are universally believed to be the most eager of money-makers. It can hardly be 'oppression' in any usual sense, for not to mention that the German Gov- ernment is rigid and self-willed rather than oppressive, a Berliner has no more to bear than any other German. The marvellous freedom of London is no doubt one cause of its equally marvel- lous orderliness; but then, London is hardly more free than Hamburg, and Hamburg has returned a Socialist.
The Spectator, 26 February 1887
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