San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1890-02-07
THE LAsoRER's EMPEROR.

| dppodI0u III uo" EOleI IudV vi uuNO'
cate and protector of the rights OF his
laboring subjects. Events have been
very quietly yet significantly shaping
themselves for some time in the direc-
ton of a more liberal internal policy
on the part of the PrusslaI govern
ment. Without any open disagree
ment between them it has been quite
evident that his imperial majesty did
not fully share the views of Prince
Bismarck IN his administration of the
domestic affairs of Prussia. There al
ways has been marked contrast be-
tween the splendid foreign admins
tratiOn of the chancellor and the
questionable success of his internal
policy. Since the accession of Will
liam to the throne the iron hand, of
the minister has not been laid so
severely upon the restless and discon-
tented laboring classes, and hints
have not been wanting of radical
change in policy. 1t has been freely
stated that the late defeat of the So
cialists bill in the reichtag was not
resented by the emperor, who did not
cordially approve OF some Of its pro-
visions, and that a new head Ofatfairs
domestic would be chosen, relieving
Bismarck of the cares of that depart
ment. The four and forty years diff
ference in the ages of the emperor
and his minister will account sOme-
what for the differences of views upon
the labor question, and to this may
be added the influence of the emper-
or'S mother. Victoria, princess royal
of England. Marked, however, as
has been the tendency which the en-
peror has shown to deal more liberal
ly with the working classes of his
realm, the world was not prepared
for the cablegram OF yesterday:
BERLIN, Feb. 5.-Emperor William
in a rescript to Prince Bismarck, re-
fers to his desire to ameliorate the po-
sition OF the wOrkingmen. He de-
sires that the ambassadors of France.
Belgium and Switzerland
shall be officially asked whether their
are disposed to come to
an international agreement with Ger
many with view to meeting the
needs and wishes of the wOrkingmen
as revealed In the recent strikes and
labor disputes. When the principle
of the emperOr's proposal is accepted
Prince Bismarck is empowered to in
vite all nations interested to attend
labor conference.
This communication to the govern
ments of En- gland, France, Belgium
and Switzerland marks an era III the
industrial and social history of Ger
many. 1t is at once confession and
q promise of improvement, ofreforma-
ton. 1t is a confession that the work
ingmen of his own ard these sister
countries have not had the best
chance that might be afforded them
in the struggle for existence; it is a
confession that some better thing |
should be provided for them, and
promise that such provision shall be
at least attempted. Coming as it |
ioes from the head of Imperial Ger
many and under the mailed hand of
he Iron Chancellor, whose remedy
or labor troubles has ever been most
drastic, its significance cannot well
De overrated 1t brings labor into
he court of empire and deals with it
- it never has been dealt with at inn
1erial hands. It acknowledges the
light of labor to demand the atten-
ions of cabinets, and courts, for its
,Wn ends and for its own improved
and not simply for the
Iuelling of the disturbances arising
rom its discomfort 1t is one of the
most significant movements of the
century and marks an immense pro-
gress from the days of the Fifteenth
Louis. 1t is worthy of note that the
countries invited to this COnferenC 9
ire all heavy manufacturers. Also,
hat France, Germany's late envious
and implacable foe, is included in
the number. Empire inviting re-
public to join her in improving the
labor conditions of both countries!
AS to the results that will follow
from this step, time alone cali reveal
these. This much we can see. If