The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-03-11

Gus motives, for the single purpose of expressing
sympathy with ID corresponding branch of the govern
lnent of a friendly nation, in the loss OF one OF its
distinguished members, who died within the national
jurisdiction of Congress. If any other purpose has been
surmised. the indisposition Of this republic, as proye-t
by the history of a century, to obtrude upon Oth,r
nations the sound political principles upon which our
own prosperity is founded, should have counteracted
that surnIise. In the customary order of transmission
the resolution came into possession Of his Excellency,
who is pleased to explain the embarrassment under
which he couceives he would labor by forward
ing it to its destination. His position, and personal
eo9nyictions to which he %aludes. are matters affecting
his EXcelleucy alone, and upon them it is not becoming
That l make any remark further than to say that 1t
does not occur to me how transmission Of the iesolu-
ton would have involved an Endorsement of the poIiti-
cal views Of Mr.. Lasker. My duty OF courtesy to the
House of representatives ended with forwarding the
resolution through the proper channel, to
the hands of the officer charged with
the administration of the foreign affairs of Germany.
This government is not disposed to inquire into the
relations existing between the different branches Of
another. The sentiments of the resolution are now
generally known, their merits or dement's can be
judged, and its, non transmission officially, as it was
intended and claimed on its face to be of friendly in
tent, while a matter of regret, is not one of concern to
either branch OF the government OF the United States.
\ GU will either forward a copy of this instruction to
the Minister for Foreign Affairs, or read it to him,
and leave him a copy, as you ascertain he prefers.
FREDERICK T. -RE1INGHUYsTS."
At the conclusion of the reading, Mr.. Hiscock
Immediately offered the following preamble and
resolutions, which were referred to the committee
on foreign affairs:
Whereas, 1t has come to the knowledge of this
House that a communication from il to the Parliament
of the German empire, entirely friendly in its intent,
respectful in its character and sent through the regu-
lar channels of international communication, has been
arbitrarily Intercepted and returned by a person now
holding the position of Chancellor of the German En-
pire; therefore be it
Resolved, That this House cannot but express sur
prise and regret that it should be, even temporarily,
within the power of a single too powerful subject to
interfere with such Il simple, natural and spontaneous
expression of kindly feeling between two great nations,
and thus to detract from the position and prestige of
the crown on one hand, and from the rights OF the
people on the other.
Resolved, That this House. does hereby ~reiterate its
expression of sincere regret at the death of Edward
Lasker, and its sympathy with the Parliament of the
German empire, of which, for many years, he was a
distinguished member"
Mr.. Eisendecker, the German minister, said
to a reporter of the Associated Press, to day, in
reply to inquiries in regard to the return of the
Lasker resolution, that he had carried out his
instructions. His governments action in the
matter was, he said, two-fold: In the first place,
it was compelled, for important reasons relating
to the internal politics of Germany, not to send
the resolution to the Reichstag, and yet it could
not merely retain it, since that might have i'm
piled Indifference or discourtesy, and the course
pursued by the government was certainly the
most courteous that the situation permitted.
The Minister felt entirely satisfied, he said, that
there was no disrespect or discourtesy intended
on either side.