The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-08-30
A GERMAE STATESMAN.
A Talk with Herr Lasker, the Great Antag-
onist of Bismarck.

"A 4aik WIFI herr AaSNtrs THE Nredb
onist of Bismarck.
Interview in Chicago Tribune.
"What is the feeling about the United
States in Germany"
1.-The reactionary element and men of the
stamp of the Bismarck of to-day never liked
the United States, because its liberal institu-
tions are standing menace to the contin-
uanoe OF their rule, while the industrial
classes dislike the American protective tariff
The skllful handling of the latter element
by the former has brought Germany into a
position almost hostile to the United States,
which is, however by no means approved
by the great mass of the people, the very best
men of the nation included. The large inn
migration you receive from Germany, and
will continue to receive, lis the best indica-
ton of the real state of feeling prevailing in
Germany in regard to the United States"
You seem to have high opinion your
self of the United States?'
81 always had, and my present visit rather
strengthens it. Of course there are many
rocks on which the prosperity of the United
States and even the Union itself may get
wrecked, but the national feeling seems to
be so strongly developed as to make all these
dangers appear small. 1t is possible there
will be a struggle between the Eastern and
the Western States at least l have observed
a strong feeling of jealousy OF Chicago S
rapid growth and the prospect of its becom-
lllS JuS nOSI lIu DOTltIlG HdTh6b place. VI Ju6
world among the Eastern business men
have conversed with. Of course l don't
know yet what sort of feeling prevails here
in the West as regards the East but l should
not be surprised to find a commercial jeal-
ousy between these two sections similar to
the one which threatens to estrange Ger
many and the United States. Then there is
the question of the railroad and other
monopolies. 1 have talked to many
thoughtful men, who advocated that
the government assume control of
the railroads, while others denounced
such ideas as impraoticable. But L believe
that you will have a government telegraph
very soon, and l am willing to predict that
the country will be highly pleased with the
change. There will be no private competi-
ton to the government as soon as the latter
goes into the telegraphing business, and
what is more, nobody will miss private COM
petition. We have found government tele-
graphing great blessing in Germany, and
Its complete union with the postal Sc rvice
has made it still more successful. 1 hardly
think, however, that the government will
buy many of the existing telegraph lines"
'What is your opinion of the threat ening
language against France in Bismarck's or
gan, the Nord Deutsche Allgemelne lei
tung?'
Il do not look upon that article as DOS
| sessng any significance to speak of. 1t
may be really an utterance of Bismarck, an
open letter to the French nation as it were
but, even then it would hardly mean war
Bismarck loves pea ce, and does not banker
after war, and the German people feel about
the same way, STILL he knows he could
thrash France again should war break out,
and he MAY have thought it wise to give
France to understand that she must be a
little more careful in her attitude towards
Germany unless she wants trouble No. |
don't think the article deserves the attention
it has attracted"