New-York tribune., 1884-03-09
Mr.. S4RGEYTS POSITION.

Bismarck's action in returning the LaSkcr
resolution has naturally given great offence to
German Liberals. The organization of the
Rcichstag for the work of the session has been
followed by an acrimonious debate. The dis
cussion was irregular in form and was abruptly
closed by the presiding officer on point of
order which was raised properly by the Con-
scrvatives. 1t enabled, however, three of the
chief speakers on the Liberal side to express
their gratitude to the United States House of
REPRESENTATIVES and to denOuncc the Chancellor
in language so violent as to make an uproar in
the Reichstag. These orators were Herr
Rickert. of Dantzic, one of the ablcSt linancicrs
in Germany; Herr Richter, the fiery and I'M
DasSioned leader of the PrOgressistS and
Professor Hacncl, of the University of kiel, the
organizing spirit Of German Liberalism. The
debate although inconcusive will serve to
irritate the Chancellor aud to embttcr the
Government press, which is now tcrcely
assaulting the American Minister at Berlin.
This heated discussion eniOrces the morals
previously drawn in these columns. This Lasker
episode is far more discreditable to the Chan
celor and to the German Parliament than it is
to the House of Representatives nevertheless, it
should warn American Legislators against any
invasOns, however innocent in intent and
generous in spirit, OF the realm of foreign
politics The ReichstaG has taken notice Of the
action of the House and the most eloquent de
bateis nave warmly defended it. Congress will
not. therefore, need to discuss the resolution,
when it is formally returned through the State
Department. Legislative action would only give
greater prominence TO the atirOnt.
o1I
a policy Of silence and self -ciiacement respect
ing the insults which are now heaped upon its
representative at Berlin. Minister Sargent was
not in the remotcst degree responsible for the
Iasker resolution. lie Transmitted the me-
mortal without making any comments upon it,
performing a purely clerical function. The
Chancellor personally aiirOntcd him by sending
the resolution to the German Minister at Wash
ington. From that moment Mr.. Sargent has
been singled ont by the Government press for
the most abusive attacks 1t now becomes IA
serious question whether he can remain any
longer in Berlin without compromising the
dignity of the American people. The assaults
in the press are evidently inspired by the
Chancellor, who is bent upon insulting him and
directing public opinion against him. 1t is Il
whether it can afford to allow Mr.. Sargent, OF
any other representative to remain at a foreign
capital under such circumstances.
The State Department is under peculiar
obligations to vindicate Mr. Sargent, for the
simple reasOD that it is wholly responsible for
the ill-trcatment which he is receiving His
reception at Berlin is not at
tributabe to the Lasker incident 1t is due to
the foolish publication of his confidential letters
20 the State Department. On January !, 1888,
he wrote a report on the threatened cxcu-
sion Of American pork products, couchcd in the
most vigorous language and intended only for
the confidential information of the Secretary of
State. The report contained some cynical
upon the political system in Ger
many, referred to the proposed action of the
Chancellor as "a snap judgment and in the
Judgment of a prominent Liberal as a mean
trick" and Denounced the pretence of sanitary
reasons as an idle protext which was fast be-
coming "the thinnest veil and being torn |
INTO shieds." This report, although undiplo- |