The state journal. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1883-1885, 1884-03-15
BIsMARCK's EXPLANATION.
The Chancellor DESTROYS of MaiDtainin
Friendly Relations With America.

appeared III the Oerlnan RetcnStag yeSter
day and made speech in justification Of
the course be had pursued in refusing tc
transmit the Lasker resolution to the
Retchstag He said that he had recog,
nized the good Intentions of the Ameri.
can Congress. but he was unable to har-
ness himself to the car Of the Opposition.
Prince Bismarck continued by saving:
II should have refrained from noticing
this matter except for the manner in
which the Reichstag has discussed it, and
Tor the charge of interference made by
Herr Richter. The relations of Germany
with American have always been good
The Government has constantly tried to
cultivate them. Ever since have been
minister the relations of the two countries
have been satisfactory. After the war
with Austria in 1865, and again after the
franco prussian war, America gave nu.
merous 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 | re-
gard the resolutions touching Herr Las
ker as an expression of the good feeling
OF the American Congress towards Ger,
many-the 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 a
general expression of sympathy, but it
expressed the conviction that Herr Las
ker's labors had been very useful to
Germany. This clause was directed
against the policy which, in the Emper.
or's name, | have been pursuing and
which Herr Lasker had opposed for
years. Now, the question arises whether
Herr Lasker belonged to an opposition
group, which made immense capital out
of Herr Lasker's merits"
The speaker was interrupted at this
point with loud cries of shame" by the
Left. He turned indignantly toward the
quarter from which TIE cries came. and,
advancing toward the Left, shouted:
The cry of shame is an insult to me,
and demands for me the protection of the
president | hope the anonymous libel
ers will give their names. They should
have cried shame on those who carried
on political intrigues at Herr Laskers
grave. As Chancellor can do nothing,
Of course, without the Emperor's APP
proval, and | could not be expected to
ask his permission to present such a rcsO-
luton to the Reichstag Herr Lasker in
troduced himself in America as the cham
pion of German freedom against gov
eminent of despotic tendencies, which he
impersOnated in It's Chancellor Am l to
make myself my enemy's postman?
even on the assumption that Ameri-
cans are not intimately acquainted with
our circumstances, the American Minister
at Berlin, or some other official who pos
sessed sufficient knowledge, might have
sent confidential warning against con
terring on me the part of pOstman. This
was not done. Therefore, l instructed
Herr Eisendecker. the German Minister
at Washington, that | could not possibly
forward the resolution. The resolution,
moreover, did not emanate from Con
gress, but only from the House of Repre-
sentatives. / never intended to annoy
America or to disturb our relations | am
simply unable to make the opinion of
Herr Lasker, adopted by the American
House Of Representatives, my own.
My desire is that the good relations
which have subsiSted between the two
countries for century may still continue.
My action was forced upon me by the
abuse to which | was subjected here at
home as consequence of the vote of the
House of Representatives. Prussia with
stood all temptations from other powers
to interfere in the affairs of America and
to recognize the Southern States. Indeed,
Prussia might claim the merit of having
prevented such recognition by the be-
nevolent attitude which she maintained. >"
When Prince Bismarck concluded, DIR.
Haenel, of the University of Kiel, WHO'S
leading spirit among the Progressists,
and who took prominent part in the in
cidental debate apropos of the Lasker If
fair some days ago, took the floor and
said in substance: ut is a matter of pro-
found regret that Prince Bismarck should
have uttered no single word in praise of
Herr Lasller. People 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 on the dead, but
those who had tried to glorify the de-
ceased had done so. He denied the al
legged friendliness of the Lasker party
toward him. Herr Lasker had consist
emily and persistently opposed him.
DR.. Haenel urged that the friendly
sentiments Of the resolution should have
been recognized without too carefully
weighing the words III which they were
expressed.
Prince Bismarck cOntended that the
exchange of sentiments between Parlia
ments was highly inappropriate, but he
added that Dr. Haenei, if he 80 pleased,
could introduce motion conveying the
thanks of the Rcichstag to the House of
Representatives for its expression of SYM
pathy.
The appearance of Prince Bismarck in
the Reichstag is generally attributed to
his desire to maintain friendship with
America
Views of Congressman on the Matter.
WASHINGTON, March II. - Several
members of Congress who were shown
the dispatch giving Prince Bismarck S
speech in the Reichstag yesterday ex-
pressed conservative views.
Governor Curtin, chairman of the For
eign Affairs Committee, and ex minister
to Russia, said: "a great big statesman
made great big mistake. When such a
man makes mistake it is apt to be big
one. The diplomacy of Secretary Ere :
linghuysen in this connection is very
commendablc, ana We shall probably say
SO in our report.
Congressman Hit thought the position
and dignity of the House have been prop