Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-05-10
GERMANY.
BISMARCK ON HIS ABSORPTION POLICY.

BISMARCK ON HIS ABSORPTION POLICY.
BERLIN, May S.-The Official Gazette pub
fishes dispatch from Bismarck to the Prus-
sian representatives of the federal states deal
ing with the Altona and st. Paups question. He
states the committee of the Bundesrath have
unanimously resolved to report to the council
only upon the technical side of the question,
and to keep altogether out of consideration the
constitutional aspect Of the case. He lays
stress on the necessity of avoiding as far as
possible, for the sake of concordancy, inter-
probation of the constitutional rights involved.
Bismarck points out it is the indisputable
right of Prussia to divide any portion of her
own territory from the Hamburg free port
district, and maintains the proposed severance
of st. Paul's has not been urged In the in
terests of Russia, as it Is advantageous to
Altoona that St. PauPs should remain out of
the Z9llverein, but that it was rather IN the
interest of Hamburg that the new customs
line was proposed. The bundesrath can decide
upon customs still without entering into an
examination of the constitutional bearing OF
the question, which would likely produce a
conflict of opinion. Those governments which
consider that by the severance of st. PauPs
from the Hamburg district, the constitution OF
the empire would be violated, can vote against
the proposal, but in that case Bismarck would
renounce his right TO uphold
the demand, which ia undoubtedly no infrsc-
tion of the constitution. Bismarck urges the
necessity of maintaining unimpaired concord
between the governments and expresses the
hope that the respective proposals OF Prussia
and Hamburg may be settled by arrangement
and without resorting to decision by maiori-
ties and minorities. Prussia will willingly
take into consideration any proposals which
would, in its effect, be in accordance with the
constitution, provided the federal government
made unanimous endeavOr to oppose with one
accord the attempts of certain members of the
reichstag to limit the authority of the bundles
rath.
DEBATE IN THE REICHsTAG.
The Reichstag to-day discussed the second
reading of the Elbe navigation act, involving
the severance of Altona and st. Paups from the
free port territory of Hamburg. The commit
tee moved that the house assent to the bill with
proviso that char ges of customs, frontier sta
tiOns, on the Elbe shall only be enacted by spe-
cial law.
Bismarck said this proviso was an attempt at
pressure, to which the government could not
submit. The mperial constitution was on the
side OF the government and overrode the pro-
viueial law which established the customs
frontier on tho Elbe. The free port
rights of Hamburg could not be withdrawn
WlCQOuO own COhoC1Us OUu IAO ASN-
eral council had right to fix the boundary of
the free port territory. Bismarck regretted to
say that particularism had reappeared with
renewed strength, Constitutional disputes
had been kindled for the first time in the fed
ersl council, He then referred to the opposi-
tion of the Catholic center; from them he had
expected support, hence the conclusions which
were about to be submitted to the
Prussian diet. Opposition parties should
beware of the consequences of their conduct.
It was dangerous to SOW discord between
the federal government. Only one thing, he
said, retains me in Office, namely, the will of
the emperor. When I see the obstacles have
to contend with. feel strong desire to rest
in retirement. If you consider the power of
the center unconquerable, should advise you,
on my retirement, to select ministry repre-
senting both the center and conservatives. I
am tired to death when I see my efforts con-
stantly thwarted by liberals who will not yield
On the smallest points, when the continued ex-
istence of the empire is at stake.
Herr Windhorst replied. He said the center
did not oppose the government from party mo-
tives. Bismarck alone can restore peace to the
church. If he does it he will obtain much
which at present is unatainable.
The house refused Herr Losker permission
to introduce q resolution declaring the attitude
of Prussia in the st. Paups affair unconstitu-
tional. 1t is stated that Baron Runhardt, the
Bavarian minister, whom Bismarck angrily re-
proved for opposing Prussia, will resign.