New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-02-07
BERLIN TOPICS.
BISMARCK AND THE EIClISTAG-AMERICAN
PETROLEUM.

BlSMARCk AND HE hEltllSl au-AMEhlIAN
PETROLEUM
trpoN AN occ lsIoyAL CORRESPONDENT THE TRIBUNE.
BERLIN, January 10.
The erroneous impression prevails in foreign
countries that Prince Bismarck can do whatever he
wishes with the German Empire, meeting with no
effective opposition the Reichstag. An
American asked me the other day whether Germany
had a Constitution, and seemed much surprised
when showed him a copy of the precious docu-
ment. An example of this restraining force with
which the Chancellor has to reckon will be eXhib-
tied before long in connection with the bill for n
monopoly of the spirits traffic, which the Chan
ccllor has already proposed to the Bundesrath the
Federal Council of the Empire), and which Will
soon be introduced in Parliament The opposition
to this scheme is enormous greater even than that
shown four years ago when Bismarck proposed TO
Parliament his bill for monopolizng the sale of
tobacco.
There is ono man in Germany on whose shoulders
lies the whole burden of conducting this opposition
Eugene Richter. the leader of the Liberal party
in the Rechstag well in the Prussian House OF
Commons. He is the Editor of the frdShnige
Zcitang a very clever paper and unique IN the iact
that it does not belong to any publisher but To the
editors and their political party. 1t is believed
that he will defeat Bismarck i'll the great battle
which is expected about the middle of February.
OF course all the Conservatives are won TO the
monopoly and the National Liberals as well The
opposition. led by Richter, is comrOsed of the
Liberals the Social Democrats, the Ultramontanes
and the Polish party.
The Chancellor has Just suffered clear defeat on
the question of the expulsion OF the Poles from the
eastern provinces of Prussia. There was a majority
against him OF 900 to 100; but unhappy this
majority is unable TO carry its resolution into
effect, because the explosions are within the Juris-
diction If Prussia and the Reichstag has no power
of elicacious interference in Prussian affairs.
Nevertheless the solemn declaration of two-thlrds
of the German Parliament against the measure has
made n profound impression on the Nation.
The reconciliation between Prussia and the
Roman Catholic Church is making progress every
day and ere long the famous Kulturkampl' oil
Prince Bismarck will be thing Of the past. The
Pore and the Chancellor are on the very best terms
and il is only the Centrum the Catholic party oil
the Reichstag which stands aside and VIII have
nothing to do with this reconciliation. bismarck
had hoped to win them to his spirits monopoly
by making friends with the Pope; but tn,
" Centrum" seems to he more Popish than the Pope
himself and continues its opposition
National Exhibition III 1888 IN Berlin IL no.
vet decided upon. 1t depends upon the decision OF
the Government whether Germany shall take par
IN tbo international Exhibition ut PARIS in 1850 OF
not and refusal ~ more probable than assent III
French want 10 make the Exhibition III 1871
centennial OF tnclr great hcNolullOHf nul hHS'i'
and Russia will politely decline the invitation, an'
there will probably be no International Exhibition
i'm Paris but only a National one. The Austrian
Government has already unOitiCiallv but ncvcrthe
less very plainly declared that Austria cannot take
part in the jubilee Of n Revolution which murdered
dan ghtcr of the House OF the labsburg, and Risa
will have nothing to do with contennias of revolu
tions. so there will most probably be grea
National Exhibition IN Berlin in lsss and another
one in Paris in 1852.
The Progrcssists in the Reichstag having mov.t
| that the extra duty on American petroleum casks
shall be withdrawn, the majority Of the Reichstal
| has declared it's introduction by the Government
unlawful. The Rrichstag. moreover, has appointed
a special commission to examine this question anf
! prepare n Law which shall clear away all doubts
about the matter. Even the National Liberals, OF
| all other questions the most obedcnt servants %
tho Chancellor. have in this instance Joined thu
majority and declared that they consider thai
measure directly hostile to the written and I'M
written tariff law.