Morning journal and courier., 1884-02-23
Saturday, February 23, 1884.
THE LAsKER RESOLUTION.

THE LASAER RESOLUTION,
 The German newspapers are discussing the action of Prince Bismarck relative to the Laaker resolution with as much earnestness as is shown by the newspapers of this country. The newspapers which are in opposition to Bismarck have made as much ef the affair as they could. and they have said so much that it has been thought best for Bismareks own organ to answer their attacks, This answer is 8 very skilIful one, and indicates how the action of our Congress appears to the Prince. It points out that the opposition newspapers do not express the slightest indignation at the attempt of foreign body to interfere in the internal affairs of Germany. The request addressed to Prince Bismarck by Minister Sargent was of such remarkable character that it could only be explained by his ignor- ancs of diplomatic usage. It amounted to nothing less than asking the Emperer to in- dorse the vote of foreign body, and to hand it visesd to the Rsichstag, for Prince Bismarck's duty is simply to execute the commands of the Emperor. Prince Bismarck is not in the employ of the international Democracy, but of the German Emperor. In the same way that the American Congress had attempted to cause the glorifeatien of the late leader of the Secessionists by the Enperer, SO could any foreign ProgrssziGt body seek to give vote of confidence in Herr Richter, or Socialist body g similar vote in Herr Bebel.
 Thus the organ of Bismarck. And what 1t says indicates that the great man thinks that this country has attempted to interfere in what is none of it's business. Considering what Bismarck has had to put up with from the friends of progress 1t is not surprising that anything that looks like an attempt to help them disturbs his fiery temper. But it is not at all probable that he meant to insult us. Some of those who think that he did be- lieve that his object is to secure, if possible, severance of diplomatic relations upon some plausible ground which will give him an ex- cuse for further retaliatory acts by closing his ports to our trade and in prohibiting any more German emigration to this country. Every year there emigrate to this country from Germany from fifty thousand to one hundred thousand men who would make fine soldiers. It is said that Germany and Russia are upon the verge of war, and that Bis
 narck is therefore anxious to retain all the Germans at home. He does not fear any possible conflict with the United States. The severance of diplomatic relations would merely give him the opportunity of closing Germany to this country without any fear of retaliation upon our part of any kind that would seriously embarrsss him. The quos- ton of protecting aaturalized citizens is also involved in this discussion, as 1t is under stood that Bismarck Is ignoring treaty stipu- lations upon this subject and is innprisonina Germans who are naturalizsd citizens of this country, but have gone back to the fathsrland for visit.
 All this is plausible, if not probable. But whether there Is anything in 1t or not, it is certain that under the circumstances the per- formancs of Congress was neither very necessary or very wise. The affair will, however, teach good lesson. No moro res olutions (for some time, at least telling foreign governments what to do will be passed bv Congress-