The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1884-03-14
THE LAsKRR RESOLUTION

Discussed by the Foreign Affairs Commit
-KsisaaRcsk Explains EEis Action in
she Reichstag.
WASHINGTON, March l3.-The Hodse COM
nittee on foreign affairs to-day considered the
action of Bismarck upon the Lasker resolu-
ton. Mr.. Phelps proposed that report should
be submitted to the House declaring in effect
that the wise course of the Secretary of State
relieved the House from the necessity of any
further action. Mr.. Rice said that as the in
suit had been directed to the House of Repre-
sentatiyes that body should express in dignified
terms its resentment. Further consideration
of the subject was referred to a subcommittee
consisting of Messrs. Curtin, Eaton, Phelps
and Rice.
BERLIN, March 12.-Bismarck appeared in
the keichstag to-day and made speech in
justification of the course he had pursued in
refusing to transmit the Lasker resolution to
the Reichstag. He said that he had recognized
the good intention of the American Congress,
bat he was unable to harness himself to the
car OF the opposition. He continued by say
Ing: Il should have refrained from mention
ing this matter except for the manner in
which the Reichstag has discussed it and for
the charge of interference made by Herr
Richter. The relations of Germany and
America have always been good, and the
government has constantly tried to cultivate
relations Of the two countries have been salts
factory. After the war with Austria in 1866
and again after the Franco-Prussian war
America gave numerous proofs of sympathy,
not only with the prosperity of the empire but
also with the person of the chancellor. From
the outset | regarded the resolutions touching
Herr Lasker as an expression OF the good feel
ing of the American Congress towards Ger
many good feeling which has been promoted
ana cultivated by myself, and would have
xFN1% ol.zFso
/ not been prevented by its form. It was not
confined to general expression of sympathy,
bQt IL expressed conviction that Herr
Laskers labors had been very useful to GER
many. This clause was directed against the
policy which, in the Emperor's name, have
been pursuing and which Herr Lasker had OPP
posed for years. Now the question arises
whether Herr Lasker was right If he was,
then the Emperor's policy-my policy-was
wrong. Herr Lasker belonged to the opposi-
tion group who made immense capital out of
Herr Laskers merits
The speaker was interrupted with loud cries
OF 'shame" by the Left. He turned indignant
ly and advancing toward the Left shouted,
THE cry of shame is an insult to me and de-
mands for me the protection of the President.
/ hope the anonymous libellers will give their
names. They should have cried shame on
those who carried on political intrigues at
Herr Lasker's grave. AS chancellor can do
nothing of course without the Emperor's ap-
proval and L could rot be expected to ask his
permission to present such a resolution to the
Reichstag Herr Lasker introduced himself
in America as the champion of German free
dom against government OF despotic tenden-
ces impersonated in the chancellor Am to
make myself my enemy's postman? Even an
assumption that the Americans are not In
timately acquainted with our circumstances
the American minister at Berlin or some other
official who possessed sufficient knowledge
might have sent confidential warning against
conferring on me the part OF postman. The
resolution moreover did not emanate from
Congress- but only from the House of Repre-
sentatiVes. 1 never intended to annoy Ameri-
ca or to disturb our relstions. My action was
forced upon NE by those to whom was sub
iected at home as the consequence of the vote
Of the House of Representatives. Prussia with
stood any temptations from other powers to in
terfere in the affairs of America and to re-
cogpize tle Southern States. Indeed Prussia
might claim the merit of having prevented
such recognition by the benevolent attitude
which she maintained"
DIR. Hacnel (ProgressisD said: "It is mat
ter of profound regret that Prince Bismarck
should have uttered no single word in praise
of Herr Lasker, People are accustomed to
reserve reproof for the living. Why has
Prince Bismarck not spared the dead"
The chancellor retorted that he had not set
in judgment on the dead but those who had
tried TO glorify the deceased had done SO. He
denied the alleged friendliness of the Laskeg
party toward him.
The appearance of Bismarck in the Reich
stag is generally attributed to desire to main
tain friendship with America.
BERLIN, March 13.-The newspapers accuse
Minister Sargent of intimacy with Herr Bum
sen, an enemy OF Prince Bismarck. Members
of the diplomatic corps are indignant at the
brutal attacks which the press has been maxi
ing upon Sargent.