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hand it is not as conservative as still others would have prefered. In a word its tendency is progressive.

Exceedingly simple, concise and direct in its construction and concept it is a model document emanating from a long oppressed, severely tried, long patient and heroic people who “stand like castle walls, their vested rights asserting”. The wonder is that its provisions are so liberal.

The general elections in Czechoslovakia have placed the Czech Social Democratic party numerically at the head of all the other parties. In consequence the policy and views of this party will no doubt exercise a great influence upon the future development of the Czechoslovak Republic. Ever since the foundation of the Czech Social Democratic party its general policy was realistic and positive, rather than re- volutionary or romantic. The constant work of the Czech labor leaders in the trade unions and political organizations and their dealings with the immediate grievances of the working classes taught them to take a reasonable view of the possibilities of economic and social developments. Thus it was very natural that the Czech Social Democrats, after Czechoslovak Independence had been achieved in 1918, took part in the formation of the first Government and greatly contributed to the consolidation of the newly established State. It was owing to this collaboration that the first Czechoslovak National Assembly was able to achieve incisive social reforms such as the Agrarian Land Reform, the levy on capital, a legal eight hours’ working day, to elaborate the constitution etc. without any revolutionary upheavals whatever. And in this connection it should be remembered that during the year 1919 serious revolutionary disturbances took place in all the neighboring States.

As the war revolutionized the minds of the working classes in almost every country, it has undoubtedly also exercised some influence on the Czech workers, so that there is considerable discussion concerning the tactics of the party. But the extreme left was never able to exercise a sufficient influence to alter the moderate policy of the party which was pursued, not only in order to consolidate the newly established State, but also to prevent the possibilities of political and social reactions. The electoral manifest of the party stated clearly that it was not a party aiming at a catastrophe, but was endeavoring rather to adjust the revolutionary tendencies of the day with salutary effect to the course being pursued by modern human society.

After the task of the first National Assembly was accomplished and the results of the elections were known, the question of tactics arose once more. It was necessary to ascertain the attitude of the party concerning the future of the Government Coalition and consequently a special conference had to be convoked. This conference which took place on April 29th has decided byfour-fifths to participate in the Government, and it has therefore expressed its approval that the present Premier, M. Tusar, should accept the invitation of the President to reconstruct the Cabinet which, as is known, has resigned and therefore, in its present composition, cannot enter the newly elected National Assembly. Commenting upon this decision, the official organ of the party Právo Lidu said:—“The Conference has demonstrated that the division of the party into “right”, “centre” and “left” is a thing of the past. At present our party is divided between a large majority of those standing on the basis of our old Social Democratic programme, and a small minority favoring communist views. There can be no doubt that this minority, on several points, is abandoning our old tactics and programme. We cannot, however, indulge in experiments, and thus put at stake the fruits of our long work. It would be an error to deny a priori that we cannot bring socialism about by evolutionary methods.”

Thus for the time being, the Czechoslovak Social Democratic party will pursue a policy of co-operation with other parties, especially with the Agrarians, for otherwise it would be very difficult to form a stable and working majority in the new Parliament.