The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1890-07-28

they substantially defined an opinion which.
as private person, he had a right TO eK-
press. Certainly he would not have assent
cd 10 such a bargain. Not that no was dis
posed 10 underrate the strategic value OF
Heligoland, only he thought the island
might have been got cheaper. Ho added,
what is manifesty true. that Heligo-
| land will become source OF danger
instead OF advantage, unless prompt
measures are taken to make it an impregna-
bio fortress. In the war OF 1s7Othe island
was neutral territory, but now that 1t Is
German, the French will undoubtedly seize
1t II they can on the outbreak OF another
contest. AS othe rumor current In Paris,
that the Anglo-Germnn treaty includes
secret engagement on tho part OF England
which justfics the concessions made to that
power, this is secuted by BISMARCK, who
shows that no we'll understands the rigor-
Gus limits within which the authority OF an
English Prime Minister Is exercised. Evon
n. he says Lord SALISBURY had tried to
Impose upon his country obligations which
he dared not divulge, these obligations would
be rspudiated By Mr.. GLADSTONE on his re-
turn TO power.
Referring to the labor edicts OF the young
Emperor, the ex-Chancellor considered 1t
tactical blunder to have issued them on the
eve of general election. He also regarded
them as intrinsically injudiclous and illu-
sorry "In principle" he says. was OPP
posed to them, but as the Kaiser insisted on
their being issued, I carried my point at last
as TO their particular wording in order to
tone them down. 1t was l" he adds, "who
suggested tho International Labor Confer
enco in the hope that it would act as q
sieve or straincr ON the outgush Of
tho Emperor's humane and philanthropic
sentiments" As it happened, this Conference
did not even play the pant OF sieve Its out
come having amounted to Zero Speaking
Of tho Anti-Socinlist law, which will expire
by Limitation in September, BISMARCK does
not abate n jot OF his former conviction that
such reprcssvo legislation is absolutely
necessary. he even declares that, had he
remained in office, he would have insisted
on acccntuatng the Egor or the law. In
the face OF such an avownl 1t Is clear that
between BIsMARCK's attitude toward the
German Socialists and that OF his imperial
master there was an irrepressible and ire
mediabe conflict.
BISMARCK spoke with the greatest kind
ness OF the National Liberals, and espe-
cially Of DR.. MIGUEL, the new Minister OF
Finance, and OF Herr Won BEENIGsEN, whom
he regards as perhaps the greater statesman
OF the two. 1t may be that at heart tho eK-
Chancellor regrets his stubborn rejection Of
the prayer of the National Liberals that he
would give the German empire Ministry
accountable to the Reichstag. Questioned as
to his dcclination of seat in the Reichstag. |
he said that he refused 1t because the present |
did not seem an opportune time for RENTER
ing public life. He thought. too that he |
could better influence the opinion OF the ma !
tion II he obtained n seat for some nom
Prussian State in the Bundesrath or Federal |
Council, since this would enable him to get |
a hearing in both Houses Of tho German
Parliament He should remain however, in
he said. so long as his success
sors seemed disposed to carry on the general
policy of the empire on the lines which he
had laid down.