The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-03-15
NO RELAXATION.
Passport Regulations Will bo Kept Up-A
Visiting DELEGATION.

AabSpOrJ 1keKuI8JlOmH VIII DO h0nt Un--A
Visiting Delegation.
Copyright 1891. New York Associated Press. !
BERLIN. March 14.-A deputation con-
sisting of members of the Alsace. Lorraine
parliament was given audience by Emperor
William to-day. His majesty received the
deputation in full state. The leader of tho
deputation read a petition and the docu-
ment was then placed at the foot Of the
throne. Addressing the deputation the
emperor said: 1T is a source of satisfaction
that the provincial committee has applied
directly to me on question of first import.
ance and interest to Alsace- Lorraine. l
perceive in this fact valuable evidence of
increasing appreciation Of the favor and
sympathy shown by me in the progress of
our country. am also willing to accept
your assurances that the people of Alsace-
Lorraine will continue to take their
stand on the ground of the legal
order of things, and that they will
reject any interference on the part of
foreign element and only look to the en-
pre- to protect their interests. In tender
ing you my thanks for this expression of
your loyalty, regret to be unable for the
present to comply with your wishes in re-
gard to the relation of the passport system
in Alsace-Lorraine. must contne
myself TO an expression of the
hope that the date is not
far distant when it will be permissible to
again grant facilities for intercourse on the
western frontier of your province. The
hope will be the earlier realized the more the
people of Alace- Lorraine became convinced
OF the indissolubility of the ties that united
them with Germany, and the more strongly
they prove by their deeds and their resolu-
ton to at all times stand faithfully and
unfiinchinaly by me and the empire"
The emperor afterwards gave private
audience to Herr Slumberger, president of
the deputation. He made keen inquiries as
to his views regarding the progress of the
attempt to Germanize the province.
IN an interview with representative of
the Associated press, DIR. Otto, secretary of
the deputation, said since 1888 Alsace and
Lorraine had been rapidly becoming more
friendly with Germany. The people believed
the province should cease to be treated as a
conquered country. Their expectations
had been partly realized but the renewal of
the stringent passport regulations had
fallen like a thunderbolt. Nevertheless
the emperor was extremely popular and had
won the complete confidence OF the people
of Alsace, who, being Germans, would soon
be reconciled with Germany. The people
of Lorraine still remained hostile. Ihey
were Celts, and were still in sympathy with
the French.
Renewal of friendly relations between the
emperor ana frlnce bismarck approaches
certainty. The emperor will visit Kiel at
the end of the month and proceed thence
to Altoona, where he will review the Ninth
army corps. Waldersee. on his recent
visit to Frlederichsrue, conveyed request
from the emperor to meet Bismarck at Al
tona. Blamarck has not yet given assent
to the resumption of direct communica--
tions with the emperor.
Bismarck. replying to the electors of
Geestemunde as to his candidacy for the
reichstaR, states that he will accept, but |
reserves the right to refuse if the majority |
returning him was not sufficient. The !
socialists will oppose him.
President Herr Leyetzow, of the reich
'tag, in announcing the death of DR.. Wind
horst, pronounced eulogy on the dead
'tatesman, extolling his acumen, unceasing
lctivity and personal influence on all sides
If the house. He declared that scarcely
my one would be so missed in the reichstap
- DIR. Windthorst.
There IS any amount of gossip regarding
he prospective reorganization of the min
stry, but nothing definite. The report that
liguel will succeed Caprivi as chancellor is
enerally discredited. Miguers nomina-
ion would imply the emperor's full adhe-
ioD to the labor reforms and liberal meas
res for the relief of the burdens of work
a9men.