National Republican., 1884-02-26
THE LASKER INCIDENT.
Interesting Talk by Mr.. Morris LaSker,
Brother Of the Deceased.
The Secret OF Prince Blsmsrck's Hos
tillty 20 Minister Sargent.

NEW YORK, Feb. 25.-Mr. Morris Laskor,
of Galveston, Texas, who accompanied the
remains of his brother, Herr Edouard Lasker,
to Berlin, has just returned and being quos-
toned regarding the "Lasker incident"
talked with some freedom Of Bismarck's
action.
Mr.. Lasker thinks, regarding the return of
the resolution to the house of representatives,
that Bismarck, having discovered his grave
mistake in excluding all official recognition
at the funeral services Of DIR. Lasker, seized
upon this resolution which, in contrast with
his action, had mot with o very warm senti-
ment on the part Of the German people to
give il tho Importance of q political docu-
ment, and by returning 1t to weaken the in
fluence Of the friendly sympathy which ox-
listed between the two peoples in behalf of tho
ideas which DIR. Lasker lived to advocate and
support.
The announcement that such resolution
had been passed had reached Germany
within twenty-four hours after its
passage, and, therefore, much in al.
vance of the arrival of the remains
| for the funeral service. No annoyance
even had beon expressed by the conservative
press, while the entire liberal press construed
| 1t as o manifestation of cordial sympathy
Of the American for the German people.
| This marked contrast between the feeling of
tho German masses, excited by this official
discourtesy on the one hand and the friendly
expressions of supposed unpreudiced people
on tho other, threatened to become too inn
| portant q factor in tho sentiment of the
masses against Bismarck personally. Skillful
diplomatic as he is, he thus seized upon this
very resolution to dispel the effect produced
by 1t by putting to ridicule its authors-the
representative body of the American people
and, while it would suit him, to antagonize
the two peoples. Yet, desiring at the same
time to preserve the friendly relations be-
tween the two governments, he offers the
lamo--I might say absurd-excuse for tho
indignity thus cast upon the American people
that the document was not presented in
proper diplomatic manner. This, If tho
Americans will accept it as a satisfactory ex-
PLANTATION, will enable him also TO vent an
old spite upon the present United statos
minister.
Now q word or two as to Mr.. Sargents
position, and that is the important consider
alton which induces me to make public any
views Of mine. 1t seems TO be the general
impression in America that Minister Sargent
is man held in no esteem in Germany, and
void of tact to uphold the dignity of his posi-
tion. No greater error of opinion was ever
entertained with regard to the representative
| of any people by his constituents than this
view as to Mr.. Sargents position in Germany.
| l have met people of all shades Of politics
there, and among them many who have come
| in personal contact with our minister. find
that while some close adherents Of Bismarck
display great deal of bitterness with regard
| to Mr.. Sargent, produced by the controversy
in connection with American pork impor-
tations yet all but the most servile official
press speak of him in terms of high respect,
and the masses are in full sympathy with his
| DnQitinn that uupRtiOn Sa far from IL
being true that Mr.. Sargent lacks tact and
| the determination, with all due courtesy, to
sustain his position as American minister, l
may say, from information derived from un-
doubted sources, that as the result of tho
controversy referred to-the inward nature
of which is best known to tho American
state department-the German officials arc
evidently instructed to approach with deli
cacy every question and transaction in which
they are engaged with Minister Sargent
have no means of judging personally as to
how proficient Mr.. Sargent may be in diplo.
matte usage but do know this, from my
observation OF the man, that he represents
that type Of the American intelligent gentle
man who does not lack ample tact and dis
cretion to uphold his proper dignity in any
position and with due respect to those with
whom he comes in contact. OF course l
would not prsume to suggest TO the house of
representatives the proper course TO be taken
to preserve its dignity. / do state however,
that without question there was no other
course proper for Mr.. Sargent than to present
the document in the manner in which he did.
Had he presumed to put himself in direct
communication with the reichstag he could
have properly been rejected with no other
than q personal slight upon himself, and the
presiding control of this body being in the
hands of those in sympathy with Bismarck
would naturally have left him to expect just
such treatment.
,i,;s Ln IooI 60
cognition from the constituted authorities in
Germany for any communication he might
desire TO make by submitting it through the
state department. and that course he took. l
dare predict that nothing would suit Bismarck
better than TO have Mr.. Sargent the scape-
goat in this matter, and with the old contro-
versy in mind thus impress any future min
lister accredited by the United States to the
German government that it will not do to
excite his animosity, as Bismarck's ingenuity
would effect like result for the minister in
every case. The attempt of Bismarck in such
manner to secure the recall Of representa-
tive accredited to his government is not
/, new,
If contrast Ia observed between tho official
relations which existed between the Ger
! man government and former ministers of the
United States, as compared with the relations
: to Mr.. Sargent it must not be forgotten that
, Bismarck has ged his entire tactics in the
|
, government in Germany. The danger of in
| justice being dono to Mr.. Sargent at this
. crisis eau thus be readily appreciated, and
. prompts mo- as an American citizen, to offer
. this word of warning to my countrymen fol
what they may deem it worth.
BERLIN, Feb. 25.--Tho DeutschG Idgebtatt
. refers to advice given by Secretary Freling
= huysen to tho house of representatives that
J henceforth matters like the Lasker resolu
: tion should DO referred to the committee on
: foreign affairs, and inconsequentially asks
} "Wili not tho secessionists and Minister Sar
} gent protest against such course"
The VOsSiche Gazette declares that it is un
able to reprint the comments Of the Ameri
can press on the Lasker incident for fear th
editor would be imprisoned.
/ Minister Sargent's digniaed course in ig
4 noring the attack of the German press i
i, much approved.
Correcting an Error.