New-York tribune., 1884-02-17
BIsy4RcK'S DLSCOURrEoUS ACTION

Prince Bismarck Ia not statesman who has
ever squandCred his resources on dead men.
Pridins himself chiefly upon his practical quail
tiles as q man versed in the business of the
State. he has dealt with real issues and living
figures in diplomacy and domestic politics. His
warfare with Count Won Arnim was not carried
beyond his defeated rivals grave. His enmlty
and suspicion did not survive Gambettas end.
He has keen eye for what is useful and neces-
sary in diplomacy and public life, and in
stinctively avoids barren controversies. For
this reason the account gwen by The London
Times of his discourteOus treatment of the res
olution passed by Congress respecting DR.. Las
ker's death would seem improbable if the COM
ments of the Liberal press in Berlin did
not apparently confirm it. The resolution was
introduced in the House on January 9, few
davs after the sudden death of the German
leader in this city. 1t was offered by Mr.. Ochil-
tree, Of Texas, and was unanimously adopted
without debate reading as follows:
Resolcd That this House has heard with deep regret Of
the death of the eminent German statesman Edward Lds-
ker That his loss is not alone u bo mOurned by the
people native land where his hrm aud constant c1-
position Of and devotion 10 free ud liberal Ideas nave
materially dyanced tho social political ana
economic condition Of those people, but by TIC
lovers OF liberty throughout the world That copy
Of this resolution DC forwarded TO the family OF the
deceased as well as 10 the Minister Of tho Une' States
resident Al The csltal Of le German Lnphc TO be by
him communicated throug III, legitimate channel 20 the
presiding oncer Of the legislative body OF which he was a
member
This resolution was directed to be sent 70 the
family OF Dr. Lasker and to the presiding Of
Gccr of the Rechstag, Of which he had been
member The United Sta,es Minister at Berlin
was asinstructed to communicate it " through the
legitimate channcl,n which would be the For
eien Office Of the German Government. Prince
bismarck. according to the Berlin CORE
spondent of The Loadoa Times, has inter
cepted this resolution has been iuitated by
it, and instead of transmitting it 10 the Reich
stag, has sent it to the German Minister at
Washington to be returned to Congress. The
reason assigned for this extraordinary action Is
that DR.. Lashcrs position, in the judgment OF
the Chancellor, did not justify the opinion ex-
pressed in the resolution.
So fantastic performance is at variance with
Prince Bismarck's character, to say nothing OF
the requirements Of international courtesy.
That the Chancellor should be So malicious and
resentful as to reyilo the memory of an eminent
statesman, and Sc in-manncred as to Insult "A
grea; nation for a kind ard appIeciatiye word
spoken of a distinguished foreigner dying sud
denly within is borders, is hardly conceivable.
But the legislators at Washington have no oc-
casion to be excited. The action Of The Chan
cellor only dishonors himself and his Govern
ment. Byintcrceptng a resolution sent by one
National Legislature tc another, ne insults the
Roichstag quite as much as he discTedits Con-