The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-03-14
Reasons Why He Could not Present the Ex'
preston of Sympathy to the Reichstag
in His Capacity as Chancellor.
A Stormy Scene in the Chamber Dur
ing the Delivery Of the Speech.
Comment on the ChancellOr's Remarks by
Members of the Committee on Foreign
Affairs and Other Congressman.
BISMARCK EXPLAINS.
The German Chancellor Justifies His Course
in the LasIker Matter.

BISMARCK EXPLAINS.
The German Chancellor Justifies His Course
in the LasIler Matter.
BERLIN March l2.-Bismarck appeared before
the Reichstag to-day and made speech in jus
tifcation of his course in refusing to transmit
the Lasker resolutions to the Reichstag. He
said he had recognized the good intention of the
American Congress, but was unable to harness
himself to the car of opposition. Bismarck
concluded; 81 should have refrained from men
tioning 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 with America have
always been good. The government has con-
stantly tried to cultivate them. Ever since 1
have been Minister the relations of thetwo coun-
tries have been satisfactory After the war
with Austria, in 1866, and again after the Franco
Prussan war, America gave numerous proofs of
her sympathy, not only with the prosperity
of the empire, but also with
the person of the Chancellor.
Nothing has occurred to disturb these good re-
lations from the outset. 1 regarded the resolu-
tions touching Mr.. Lasker as an expression of
the good feeling of the American Congress TO-
ward Germany-a good feeling which has been
promoted and cultivated by myself, 1 would
have presented the resolution to the Reichstag
had not been prevented by its form. 1t was
not confined to a general expression of sympa-
thy, but it expressed conviction that Mr. Las
kers labors had been very useful to Germany.
This clause was directed against a policy which,
in the Emperor's name. have been pursuing,
and which Mr. Lasker had opposed for years.
Now the question arises whether Mr.. Lasker
was right. If he was then the Emperor's policy,
my policy, was wrong. Mr. Lasker belonged to
the opposition group, who made immense capital
out of Mr.. Laskers merits"
Bismarck was interrupted at this point with
loud cries of "shame" by the Left. He turned
Indignantly toward the quarter from where the
cries came, and, advancing toward the left, he
shouted, THE cry of shamen is an insult to me,
and demands for me the protection of the presi-
dent hope the anonymous libelers will give
their names. They should have cried 'shamep
on tlose who carried on the political intrgues at
Mr.. Laskers grave. AS Chancellor l can do
nothing of course without the Emperor's ap-
proval, and could not be expected to ask his
permission to present such a resolution to the
Reichstag. Mr.. Lasker introduced himself in
America as the champion of German free
dom against a government of despotic
tendencies, iinpersonated in its Chancellor.
Am l to make myself my enemy's
Americans are not intimately acquainted with
our circumstances, the American minister OF
some other official who possessed sufficient
knowledge, might have sent confidential warm
ing on comforting on me the part of postman.
This was not done Then instructed MIR Eisen-
decker the German minister at Washington,
that could not possibly forward the resolution
The resolution, moreover did not emanate from
Congress- but only from the House of Repre-
sentatives never intended to annoy America
or disturb our relations. | am simply unable to
make the opinion of Mr.. Lasker adopted by the
American House of Representatives my own.
My desire is that the good relations which have
subsisted between the two countries for century
may still continue, My action was forced
upon me by the abuse to which l was subjected
here at home as consequence of the vote of the
House of Representatives Prussia withstood
all the temptations from other powers to inter
fere with the affairs of America. and to recog-
nize the Southern States. Indeed, Prussia
might claim the merit of having prevented such
a recognition by the benevolent attitude which
she maintained
Bismarck then closed.
DR.. H9nel, of the University of Kel who is
the leading spirit among the Progressists. and
who took prominent part in the incidental de-
bate apropos of the Lasker affair some days
ago, took the floor and said st is a matter of
profound regret that Bismarck should have ut
tered no single word in praise of Mr. Lasker.
People are accustomed to reserve reproof for
the living; why has Bismarck not spared the
deadl"
The Chancellor retorted he had not sat in
Judgment on the dead but those who had tried
to glorify the deceased had done so. He denied
the alleged friendlness of the party toward him
Mr. Lasker had consistently and persistently op-
posed him.
DR.. H@nal urged that the friendly sentiments
of the resolution should have been recognized
without too carefully weighing the words in
which they were expressed.
Bismarck contented that the exchange of SEN
timents between the parliaments We're highly
inappropriate but he added: "Dr. Hanal, if
he SO pleased, could enact resolution returning
the thanks of the Reichstag to the House of
Representatives for its expression of sympathy"
The appearance of Bismarck in the Reichstag
is generally attributed to his desire to maintain
friendship with America.
A Berlin correspondent of the London Times
says: Il never saw Bismarck looking better
His strong voice, upright form, bright eye and
elastic gait indicate that he is likely to remain
at his post for a long time to come
He wore undress cuirasser uniform Prior
to the sitting he had a conference with the EN-
peror and arranged the subject of his speech
The Lasker discussion was dropped after the
Chancellor's speech"
The newspapers accuse Sargent of intimacy
with Herr Bunden, an enemy of Bismarck
Members of the diplomatic corps are indignant
at the brutal attacks which the press has been
making upon Sargent.