The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1890-05-09
Tho New German Programme.

view. IT, however, the young sovereign i'm
AGNES that he has only to ask to be obeyed
he has yet to learn thu rudments OF parlla
mentary government. Divided as the Depu
ties are in half dozen parties or factions
the construction Of stable majority would
tax the dexterity OF BISMARCK himself; anc
Is likely to prove beyond the powers OF 6
tyro In parliamentary devices.
Admitting that both wings OF the Conser
vative party will go any lengths to satisfy
the Kaisers wishcs--which, however, Is moi
| quite certain-we can discern but two ways
OF gaining the 1879 votes needed to form q
majority Of the Reichstag. The Emperor'f
thick-and-thln supporters will have 10 unite
either with the Catholic party Of the Centre
or with the German-Lberal or so-called
Frelsinnige party. The former combination
would be selt-sufllcing; the latter would fall
| somewhat short OF preponderance and
would, therefore, need the help either OF the
| Socialists or OF the surviving rump OF the
| National Liberal party. 1t is already known,
| however, that tho cooperation OF the Ultra
montancs can only be procured by such con-
cessions, in regard both to the internal ad-
ministration Of Prussia and the attitude OF
the empire toward the Vatican question, as
representatives Of the Government have de-
cared themselves unable to make. On the
other hand, the Frei5innige party, which Is
mainly made up OF pronounced free traders.
has already indicated the Indispensable con-
ditionS Of its support, which are such re-
auctions OF the customs duties on food
staples as would amount to practical re-
versal OF BIsMARCKs fiscal policy. 1t Is pos
sible that the kaiser's present advisers
might be willing enough to cast discredit on
the economical views Of the veteran ex-
Chancellor but they could not do this with
out estranging the agricultural interest and
straining almost to the pointof rupture the
allegiance of the Conservatives. So that
when the young sovereign brings forward
his bill for further increase Of the peace
effective Of the army, to carry which must
after all be his principal aim, though he
touched but lightly on the subject in his
speech; he will probably appreciate better
than he now does BIsMARCKs dexterity In
weaving majorities out OF incongruous and
intractable materials.
We may on the other hand, take for
granted that the Kaiser's labor programme,
to which the larger part Of his speech was
devoted, will not be vigorously resisted in
any quarter. Both the Ultramontanes and
the members OF the Freisinnige party are
anxious to conciliate the Socialists, by the
help of whose votes they have managed to
carry good many seats at the second bal
lettings. Had, indeed. the Emperor proposed
to establish an eight-hour labor day for
adult males, or to fix a minimum OF wages
in all trades, the German Liberals, who ad-
har To ba bo,
deemed 1t a duty to oppose him, even at the
risk OF depriving their future candidates OF
any assistance from the labor vote. But
WILLIAM II. has evinced caution and mod
GRAFTON in his projected regulation OF the
relations OF capital and labor: indeed he has
shown himself so circumspect that he can
scarcely look for enthusiastic gratitude from
the Socialists. lie expressly says that in
pursuance ot the labor reforms contemplated
only such measures would be suggested as
could be carried out without endangering the
industry Of the fatherland which he recog-
nizes as only one link In tie economic chain OF
nations competing in the worlds markets.
This Is tantamOunt, OF course, to disavow-
al OF any intention OF proposing for Ger
many alone an eight-hour labor day and
minimum OF wages, measures which could
safely be enacted only by international con-
cert. The Kaiser confines himself to COM
mending to the immediate attention Of the
Reichstag provisions for Sunday rest and
such restrictions of women's and children's
work as are embodied In the British Factory
acts. At tho same time he intimates that
the Workmen's Insurance acts, devised and
carried by BISMARCK, may be susceptible OF
extension and amendment. OF the Anti
Socialist BILL which the eX-Chancellor valnly
tried to force upon the last Reichstag, the
Emperor said not a word. and the inference
Is that he means to discard the policy OF re-
presslve legislation, which would, in truth,
be scarcely reconcllable with his twice
repeated declaration that tho protection OF
workingmen is the paramount purpose OF
his Government.
1t Is certain that no European sovereign
has ever proclaimed himself with such OPEN
ness and emphasis the champion OF labor;
and the reception which his overtures will
meet with from German workingmen will
be watched with interest all over the world
Will tho Emperor's proposals be eagerly and
cordially accepted as proofs OF sympathy
which rarely emanates from thrones, and as
an earnest Of larger concessions in tho
future? Or will the sincerity of his friend
ship be impugned and the value OF his prof
fered reforms deprecated by the Socialist
speakers, who after the Bismarckian muz-
zle is removed, can let their tongues wag at
will2 The Kaiser will have an opportunity
OF testing the extent to which he has secured
the good will and confidence OF workingmen
when the bill increasing the army Is brought
forward Should the representatives of labor
In the Relchstag vote against measure
which he deems of vital import to the safety
Of the fatherland, WILLIAM ii. may be disen-
chanted with the role of father OF his people,
and arrive at the conclusion that BISMARCKs
knowledge OF human nature is broader and
deeper than his own. The ex-Chancellor, 1t
will be remembered, never hestated to
express the conviction that every new con-
cession to the Socialists was fresh step
upon quicksand whose bottom was un-
fathomable. Yet BISMARCK himself by his
Workmen's Insurance acts pushed the doc
trines OF State socialism further In leaisla-