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Show HANS DELBRUECK DOUBTS IF REFORM WILL BE ATTAINED RERUN, July 10, via London, July H. Professor Hans Pelbrueek. head of the department of history in the University of Berlin, and one of the most influential influen-tial publicists in Germ? ny, told the As-sociated As-sociated Press today that the new orientation orien-tation in Prussia was really no political novelty, as he government had solemnly solemn-ly proclaimed it as part of its programme far hack in 190S. The conservative forces in Prussia, he added, were so powerful, however, that they invariably succeeded in frustrating all attempts to accomplish the desired reforms. The well-known historian an c1hi Wisher Wish-er of Prussian year books s tan led po-litical po-litical and parliamentary circles less than a week ago by appearing with other leading lead-ing conservatives in favor of the immediate imme-diate enactment of Prussian electoral reforms. re-forms. In the course of his inter view-today view-today he said: Now that the promise of this reform re-form has been reiterated in the emperor's em-peror's Easter message, the suspicion forthwith springs up that the conservatives con-servatives will make fresh attempts to force its postponement. Enlightened Enlight-ened conservative circles therefore, joined hands with the middle parties in an urgent demand for Immediate legislation in this direction. 1 have freely been receiving affirmative support sup-port from many sides. Despite all this, however, it means a hard struggle, and I question very much whether we will win out. As England. Belgium and Italy have not yet possession of a general and direct 'suffrage, Prussia would be a step in advance of these countries respecting re-specting democratic development, always al-ways assuming, of course, that we are successful in forcing the issue. Perhaps It would then develop that Italy and England, where similar electoral reforms are being agitated, would undertake the same step si- mi;Haneou:ay. Gratifying as this would be, I regret to say that present pres-ent indications point to the probability proba-bility that at thin time, too, the efforts ef-forts of our opponent will prevail. It should be remembered that opposing op-posing u.s are not only the Influential l:viided interests, but nlao capital and big industry in general, the elements which in the progress of this war have aruas-e.i mill greater wealth, .and, in addition, have now also secured se-cured control of a large section of the press. They furthermore are be-' tng supported by the attitude of public pub-lic opinion in the t'nited States and E. gland, where it r being loudly proclaimed pro-claimed that peace with us can only be eonrlud'-d whtn we have finally become internally democratized. |