The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1890-02-06
KAISER AND WORKINGMEN
The Emperor Issues a Rescript Signify
ing His Wishes in Regard to Labor.
His Plans for Ameliorating the Condition Of
German Workers-Details of the Cloud
Burst in China-Plots in Bulgaria.
THE KAIsER.s REsoR1pr.

An Order That Indicates that He IL Seeking
to Better the Condition of workingmen.
BERLIN. Feb. 5.-EmperOr William. in o
rescript to Prince Bismarck, refers to his
desire to aneliorate the position of the
working men. He desires that the embas-
sailors of France, England, Belgium and
switzerland shall be officially asked wheth-
er their governments are disposed to come
to an international agreement with Ger
many with q view to meeting the needs
and wishes of workmen, as revealed in the
recent strikes and labor disputes. When
the principle of the Emperor's proposal is
accepted. Prince Bismarck is empowered to
invite all the nations interested to attend q
labor conference.
In the rescript addressed to Baron Won
Berlepsch. the Emperor says that however
valuable or important are themeasureS now
In operation for improving the condition of
the working people. they are not to be COM
pared with what "A proper performance of the
duty, before the new Ministry will require.
He then specifically directs an extension in
the application of the system of working
mems insurance, and the opening of IN in
qulry into all trade avs affecting factory
labor. The Emperor affirms in the rescript
that 1t Is the duty of the state to SO regu-
late the duration and the nature of labor as
W ihouiC tnc ucdltu. tuc U1OTdlity anu tuc
supply of all the economic wants of the
workingmen and TO preserve their claims
to equality before the law. For
the promotion of peace between work
lngmen and their employers legal
the establishment of regulations empower
ing. worklngmen to appoint delegates en-
joying their confidence to represent them in
the settlement of affairs. The delegates
should safely guard the interests of the
work oman whom fhay ranraaan{ in all
negotiations with the employers or with
the government. Such a system would en-
able the workingmen to express their
wishes and grievances peaceably and free
~. and would give the authorities of the
State an opportunity to inform themselves
In q. very direct way of the condition of The
working people. thus keeping in touch with
all their activities. sentiments and i'm
pulses.
Referring to the state of things in the
mines, the Emperor says. owing to his
anxiety for the welfare of the men, he
wishes to see the mines developed into
model establishments, and desires that
measures shall be taken to that end. The
Council of State will meet to consider pre-
liminary questions involved in carrying
Out these ideas. Experts will be called TO
testify before it. and the Emperor himself
will preside. =
The rescript and order to Minister Won
Berlepsch have caused a great sensation in
parliamentary circles. They are compared
with Herr Won BGtticher's statement in
the Reichstag that further Legislation of
the kind conld have no better success han
the previous legislation bad had: but when
Won Bptticher made that declaration he
was talking TO the Reichstag only, the elec-
lions were not precisely on the carpet, and
nobody was in presence of an immediate
necessity to persuade the wOrkingman away
from the Socialist cause by pretending an
astonishing regard for his welfare. 1t is
observed that neither document is counter
signed by a responsible Minister.