The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1884-03-21
BIsMARCK's EXPLANATION.
HIS SPEECH IN THE REICHsrAG ON
THE LASKER RESOLUTION.
"Put Yourself In His Place"

Bismarck appeared in the Reichstsg to-day
and made . speech in justification Of his
course In refusing to transmit the Lasker
resolution to the Reichstag. He said he had
recognized the good intentions of the Amer
lean Congress, but was unable to harness
himself to the car of the Progressists. Bis
marck continued: 81 should have refrained
from mentioning this matter, except for the
manner In which the Reichstag has discussed
it and for the charge of interference, made by
Herr Reichter. The relations of Germany
with America have always been good, and
the Government has constantly tried to cul-
tivate them. Ever since there has been
Minister the relations between the two coun-
tries have been satisfactory. After the war
with Austria in 1866, and again after the
Franco -Prussan war, America gave numer
Gus proofs of sympathy, not only with the
prosperity of the Empire, but with the per-
son of the Chancellor. Nothing has occur.
red to disturb these good relations. From
the outset regarded the resolution touching
Lask as an expression of the good feeling
of the American Congress towards Germany
good feeling which had been promoted and
cultivated by myself. | would have present
ed the resolution to the Reichstag had l not
been prevented by its form. 1t was not con
fined to a general expression Of sympathy,
but 1t expressed sympathy that Lasker's
labors had been very useful to Germany.
This clause was directed against the policy
which, In the Emperor's name, Rave been
pursuing, and which Lasker had opposed for
years. Now, the question arises whether
Lasker was right. If he was, then the EN-
peror's policy, and my policy, was wrong.
Lasker belonged to the opposition group,
who made immense capital out of Lasker's
IL t..t.. ed at q In
point by loud cries of SHANE" by the left.
| He turned Indignantly toward the quarter
| from which the cries came and advancing
toward the left he shouted; "The cry OF
shame is an insult to me and demands for
me the protection of the president. hope
| the anonymous lbelers 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 Emperor's approval, and
| could not be expected to ask his permis-
sion TO present such a resolution to the
Reichstag. Lasker introduced himself into
America as the champion of German free
dom against despotic government, imper.
sonated in its Chancellor. Am | to make
myself my enemies postman? Even on the
assumption that the Americans are not in
timately acquainted with our circumstances
| the American Minister al Berlin, or some
other official who possessed sufficient knowl-
edge, might have sent warning against con-
fsrrlng on me the part of postman. This
was not done. Therefore | instructed Eisen
decker. the German Minister at Washington
l 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 disturb our relations. l en-
simply unable to make the opinion of Lask
er, adopted by the American House of Rep.
resentatives, my own. My desire is that the
good relations which have subsisted be.
tween the two countries for century may
still continue. My action was forced on me
by the abuse to which was subjected here
at home, as a consequence of the vote Of the
House of Representatives. Prussia with
stood all the temptations of other powers &c
interfere with the affairs of America and t.
recognize the Southern States. Indeed
Prussia might claim the merit of having pre-
vented such recognition by the benevolent
attitude which she maintained" Bismarck
thus closed.