The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1890-05-07
OPENING THE REICHSTAG.
EMPEROR WILLIAM MAKES a SPEECH
10 THE LAWMAKERS.


scene In the ReiehStnR Rns n Talk with
the Emperor After HIs Speech.
cspar1uhL 1850 ey TnE srN Printing and Pubtuhtno
AIIocidtton
BERLIN, May ct was expected that tho
language used by the Emperor at the opening
otthis ysar'e RechstRg would depart from
the commonplace rhraseoloRy with which
modern royalty wells it's thoughts We are not
disappointed. In firm we'll separated words
he read to an assembly OF statesmen, war
rlors. and diplomats such q speech as Ger
, mans, at least have not been brought up to
expect from such quarter. Prussian Kings
usually have been little moro than soldiers
One or two have been dreamy scholars or
amateurs In art. Never until to-day has q
Hohensollern publicly pledged himself to the
service Of everyday workers, tho plain people
OF the country, recognizing them the real
basis OF national happiness as opposed to the
pretensions OF any caste or class.
Not syllable of his words was indistnctly
uttered, nor was any effort made In the diree-
tion Of oratory Once only did his voice rise
with increased vehemence at these words:
In lust caro- for the workngman's needs
lies the most effective Increase to our strength.
and every attempt to violently disturb law and
order shall meet with our most determined
opposition"
eagerly bought in broadside form from news
boys as the audience came away from the
palace. may be roughly analysed. 1t makes
about eighteen inches OF type in a German
newspaper, ten OF which relate TO the working
man. two to foreign relations. two to the army,
one to the budget, and one only to colonial
enterprise in Africa. Automatically one might
conclude that all tho branches OF his Govern
ment together do not count for as much in his
estimation as the daily work of the nations
backbone.
There is no reason to doubt his sincerity In
this movement, for it is IN line with personal
effort on his part made more than three years
ago, when he little dreamed Of being an En-
peror. in this century at least In q letter writ
ten at that time to personal friend is an ex-
preston OF his great desire to help this move
ment In some way, although at that time his
work did not amount to much more than the
zeal OF private individual
When the opening exercises were over the
Emperor, In spite OF the great pressure OF bust
ness Just now upon him. found time for talk
with THE Sun CORRESPONDENT that lasted q full
half hour and was obviously Intended to mark
his appreciation OF American public opinion.
His sentences were short and clear. He rarely
uses a superauous word, sticks close TO his
point. talks more with o view to drawing
all the questions TO him were answered In full.
OF our Minister. Mr.. Phelps. he spoke as one
whose acquaintance he priced. Our tariff de-
bates. our new naval expenditures. our Presi-
dental hopes and fears-these he understood
better than nine out OF ten English members Of
Parliament.
He said most emphatically that nothing was
further from his intention than to raise false
hopes among working people. He had no idea
that paternal government could cure all social
Ills. nor was he sure they could remove even
the most conspicuous ones. Nothing. to his
mind. foreboded greater msch than to prop
agate the idea that any government could
supersede individual enterprise or forethought.
For his part he was prepared only TO attempt
solution by dealing with the workingman
from the standpoint Of justice, trying to intro
duce the element of fair play between wage
earners and wage givers. encouraging arbitra-
ton, and applying the law only in favor OF per-
sons conspicuously needing its protection. such
rs young children and women.
In other words. the Emperor's language
sounded as though his teacher in political
economy had been not Bismarck alone. but
Prof Sumner or David A. Wells. The
notion that William II. Is coquetting with
socialism is closely allied to the suspicion that
he is much influenced by his scholarly but
rather idealistic privy councillor, Hinzpeter,
whom he dearly loves. who was the Emperor's
former tutor. rs we'll rs one whose life Is de-
voted to philanthropic work. No one. how
ever, who has talked with the Emperor can
believe that such a suspicion Is well grounded.
In fact. he is under no mans influence.
The ceremonies at the palace differed little
from those of past years. except that Caprivi
and not Bismarck stood at the Emperors
elbow. a difference that would be scarcely
noticed at other times, SO like are the two men
to look at. The venerable Moltke as the old
est member OF Parliament, stood through the
whole performance. and proposed three cheers
for the Kaiser when the imperial party entered
the hall. While the crowd was gathering
holtke walked as II In q dream through the
groups on the broad floor. returning with
grave politeneBs the almost ave. struck hon.
age OF those who made way for him. For some
moments he stood alone In that crowd musing
at the window. his symmetrical head bowed
In thought, wondering possibly that he should
be left there so long TO take part In the pomp
OF court ceremony, whom all his friends have
long ago preceded him to Germania's Wal
halla. 1t was touching sight. fit to inspire a
great painter.
Ry The AHoctdtrd PreSE
BERLIN, May6.-The ReiclIstag was opened
to-day by the Emperor In person. In his
speech from the throne his Majesty said he
hoped 1t would be practicable at the present
session to solve the important and pressing
questions which would como up for consldera-
ton. He wanted above all things, to effect
further legislation for the protection of the
workingmen. The strike movements during
the past year had suggested an examination OF
the question whether the laws OF the existing
State organization adequately took into ac-
count those wishes OF tho workingmen which
were justiiiabe and capable OF realization.
The questions claiming the foremost atten-
ton were those OF Sunday rest and the restric-
ton OF women's and children's labor The
Federal Governments were convinced that the
proposals OF the last Keichstag might, in their
essential points become law and be carried
into practice without detriment 10 other In ter
estA The loyal provisions for the protection
OF workingmen against dangers threatening
their lives. health. and morals were suscepti-
Die OF amendment, as were also the laws rela-
live to the Issue VI labor regulations.
The rules concerning woTkingmen's books
also required 10 10 supplemented with tho Oh.