The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-11-01

DiNHiuIth hhu bht NOCldilstss
Tho Anti-Soclalist bin has become n law
and the means Of rigorous repression with
which IL arms the German Government have
already been applied. Ono Obvious aud i'm
mediate result Of the measure will be the
arrest OF the Socialist movement which has
acquired such remarkable momentum of
late years and which exhibited such striking
results at the last general election. While IL
il true that persecution has sometimes lent
vitality and forvOr Ia propagandism. this
X by no means invariably the case, as was
shown by the success Of stringent measures
In France in the revocation Of the cdict OF
Nantes. When Minister like BISMARCK IS
authorized 20 suspend such liberties as the
right of printing the right Of meeting, Of
Joining cooperative societies and even the
right of residence, We must expect to see
these formidable weapons welded withnota-
blc efficiency. II during the next three
years the party organized by LAssALLE and
now directed by KARL MARX docs not sub
ttantially disappear from German politics,
u will demonstrate a significant. not to say
dangerous. tcnacity. At all events. the con-
tcst between the Chancellor and the Social
ists Is hencefurth duel to the death.
One OF the most interesting things con-
nected with this bill is the manner Of it,
passage. II was carried by the National
Liberals, while on the other side the Ultra
montana members 81 the Rcchstag allied
themselves with the Socialists to oppose II.
Yet II is not many onthe since the Liberals
unanimously withstoo1 this Identical meas
ure upon its Introduction after HoDELs at
tempt toassassinatc the Kaiser. Soon after
ward MODELLING shot at and seriously
wounded the Emperor, whcreupon tho Gov
eminent dissolved the Parliament and APP
pealed to the people for ma ority which
would give IL the means Of sclf-prOtection.
This appeal was not successful. In spite Of
considerable losses in the northca stern
provinces, the Liberals retained seats
enough 10 control the Reichstag Why,
then, have they reversed their attitude and
sanctioned n bill which they formerly re-
jected without ceremony
II appeared soon after the rcassonihling
Df Parliament that the moderate Liberals
could not be- depended on 10 sustain their
leaders on this issue. The second attempt
against the life of an aged and most popu-
lar sovereign had powerfully excited the
public mind and there was no longer dis
D'SAlpll " stan l'JD llhIIDWlN lit ultHHllIfN
looking 10 repression. division In the
Liberal ranks ensued, q small minority UNI
der Herr LAsKER voting with the Progress
lists against the bill, while the majurity UNI
der Herr Won BENNIGsEN aud Herr BAM-
BERGER confined themselves to modifying
some Of the more elastic clauses. The most
important change effected was the restric-
ton Of the duration Of the law to the
30th 81 March. 1891, a date, II will DO
observed, anterior 10 the expiration Of
the Chancelor'5 powers. As finally passed
the measure seems 10 he sweeping enough.
II empowers the Executive 10 dissolve by
means O.. it, police Socialstic societies and
meetings, and to supervise aud ultimately
prohibit any other societies suspected Of
ronc"aling Socialist aims under IN appar-
emily Innocent exterior. IL Is against this
clause that SCHrLrIE-DELITsCW has pro-
Tested 10 certain, in the hands Of ignorant
81 lll-ntrntioncd agents, 10 affect injuIi-
"u-ly the loan and banking socictlc- which
j." has founded throughout Germany. The
iil likewise authorizes the Chancellor 10
prohibit Socialist prints, and close any
printing Offices, book shops, and even
ttyern- employed by Socialists for the dis
Is mad" possible 10 summarly cxpol Social
- agitotors from localities in which they
have been speaking against the law. I'm all
these cases the Government Is made the
IrBc a- 10 tho commission Of The offence.
although an appeal is provided for to
Special commis ion appointed by tho Fcd-
UHl Council
There 10 no doubt that the reluctance Of
the Liberal majority 10 ndhcrc to constitu-
tnnal scluple- und"r existing circumstances
"ns much Intensified by tho language en-
p'"yed 10y Socialist speakers during the de-
bato Thus Herr lIAisLLAIANS declared that
H.. upper and mdd,o ciasscs wero rioting
Ia sensual onjoyment while the working
population Wac stepped IN miserable poy-
"ty lie went N 20 cay that II tbs pacific
"n'"@'"rs II Socialism were rcpresse,l, tho
nay "'tld come when Socialists would tako