The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1884-03-14
BISMARCK EXPLAINS.
lie speaks to the Reichstsg in Justification
of his Action.
IBy cable to the Dispatch.

Of his Action.
TIIy cable to the Dispatch.l
BERLIY, March 13.-Prince Bismarck
appeared In the keichstag to-day, and made
a 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 inten-
lions OF the American Congress, but he
was unable TO harness himself 10 the car of
the opposition.
Prince Bismarck continued, saying: 81
should have refrained from mentioning
this matter except for the manner in which
the Reichstag has discussed, and for the
charge OF interference made by Herr Rich
ter. The relations OF Germany with Ame-
RIGA have always been good. The Govern
ment has constantly tried 10 cultivate them.
Ever since / have been Minister the re-
lations OF the two countries have
been satisfactory. After the war with
Austria in 1906. 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
Nothing has occurred to disturb these good
relations. From the outset | regarded the
iDuilluE IIdchIl tlS lil CAIDiNN-
sion OF good feeling OF the American Con-
gress towards Germany, 4 good feeling
which has been promoted and cultivated
by myself. | would have presented the
resolution to the Reichstag had | not been
prevented by its form. 1t was not confined
TO general expression Of sympathy, but
! 1t expressed the conviction that Lasker's
/ labors had been very useful to Germany.
This clause was directed against the policy
which. in the Emperors name, have been
pursuing. and which Lasker had opposed
for years. Now the question arises whe-
ther Lasker was right. II he was, then
the Emperor's policy-my pOlicy-was
wrong. Herr Lasker belonged to an OPP
position group who made immense capital
ont Of Lasker's merits"
The speaker was interrupted at this
! point with loud cries Of Shame" by the
Left. lie turned Indignantly toward the
quarter from which the cries came, and,
advancing toward the Left. shouted: 1.-THE
cry OF Shame is IN insult to me, and de-
mands for me the protection OF the Presi-
dent. | hope the.anOnymOus libellers will
give their names. They should have cried
shame on those who carried on political
! intrigues at Lasker's grave. As Chancellor
! ] can do nothing, of course, without the En-
peror's approval, and | could not be eX-
pected to ask his permission to present
such resolution to the Reichstag. Las.
! kcr introduced himself in America as the
champion OF German freedom against a
| Government OF deSpOtic tendencies, which
| he impersOnates in It's Chancellor. Am
to make myself my enemy's pOstman, even
| on the assumption that Americans are not
| intimately acquainted with our crcum-
stances. The American Minister at Ber-
/ lin or some other official who possessed
sufficient knowledge might have sent a
confidential warning against comforting
| on me the part Of pOstman. This was not
done. Therefore ! instructed Herr Essen
decker, the German Minister at Washing.
ton, that could not possibly forward the
resolution. The resolution, moreover, did
not emanate from Congress, but only
from the House OF Representatives
never intended to annoy America, or to
disturb our relations. am simply unable
to make the opinion OF Lasker adopted by
the American House OF Representatives
my own. Ny desire is that the good rela-
ton which have existed between the two
countries for century may still continue,
Ny action was forced upon me by the abuse
to which was subjected here at home as q
consequence OF the vote OF the House OF
Representatives. Prussia withstOod al
temptations from other Powers to interfere
in the affairs OF America and TO recognize
the southern States. Indeed, Prussii
might claim the merit OF having prevented
such recognition by the benevolent attitude
which she maintained"
onnnInHn1 nr TInanaI
OF the University OF Kiel, who is leading
spirit among the PrOgressists, and who
took a prominent part in the incidental
debate. dprOpOS Of the Lasker affair some
DAYS ago. took the floor, and SAID in sub
stance: II il matter OF profound regret
that Prince Bismarck should have uttered
no single word in praise OF Lasker. The
peonIe are accustomed to reserve reproof
for the living. Why has Prince Bismarck
not spared the dead!
The Chancellor retOrted that he had not
sat in judgment Oh the dead, but those
who had tried to g!orlfy the deceased had
done so. He denied the alleged friendli-
ness Of the Lasker party toward him.
Lasker had consistently and persistently
opposed him.
DR. Haenel urged that the friendly senti-
mcnts Of the resolution should have been
recognized without too carefully weighing
the words in which they were expressed.
Bismarck contended that the exchange
Of sentiments between ParliamentS was
highly Inappropriate, but he added that
DR.. Haenel, il he so pleased, could intro
duce motion conveying the thanks OF the
Rechstag to the House Of Representatives
for its expression OF sympathy.
The appearance Of Bismarck in the
Rechstag Is generally attributed to his de.