The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-02-10
Tho German Emperor and Socialism.


We are told that Kaiser WILLIAM H..
dining last Thursday with Chancellor Ca
PRIV. urged Herr Won BENN1osEN. the
leader Of the National Liberals. to support
the Education bill. on the ground that it
would purge the rising generation Of So
cialist ideas. On the same occasion he Is
reported to have said to another member Of
the Reichstag that. having become con-
WINGED that the Socialist party wished to
attack the existing order. he had determined
to take measures against them. Two days
later seven Socialists were arrested In Ber-
lin on the charge OF high treason. and as
these arrests are the first made since the re-
peal OF the anti-Socialist laws. 1t seems EVIL
dent that the Emperor's attitude toward
socialism hns been completely reversed.
It has not taken the young Kaiser long to
change his mind on this subject, which first.
1t will be remembered. gave rise to sharp
difference OF opinion between him and
BISMARCK. When WILLIAM II. came
TO the throne. the veteran Chancellor
was preparing to secure from the
Reichstag an extension OF the laws
against the Socialists. BISMARCK held that
no compromise was possible between the
monarchy and the Social Democratic party.
which had never disguised its conviction
that tina existing order ought to be over
thrown. and that dispute was only possible
as to the means which should bo taken to
that end. The young Emperor. on the
other hand. believed himself to BIO much
wiser than the aged adviser OF his grand
father. and took for granted that with a
few Vague promises and reassuring words
he could transform the Socialists into loyal
subjects. He therefore allowed the So
cullcd cartel parties. namely. the Conserva-
uves. Jmperinlists. and National Liberals.
to see that he personally desired the anti
Socialist laws to expire by Limitation. and
BISMARCK consequently found himself un-
able to get them renewed. Then the Kaiser
proceeded to convOke his International
labor conference. which. as the old Chan
ce!lor predicted. proved entirely abortive.
From that day to this he has done nothing
to attest the sincerity OF his wish to an
swer the demands OF German workingmen
Ho cannot even claim any part In the
WOrkmen's Insurance laws. which by no
means meet with unmixed approval from
ESTABLISHMENTS. for these We're devised
and passed by BISMARCK.
Although WILLIAM II. has done nothing
10 demonstrate the reality OF his 'proicssed
sympathy for workiugmen. he has disclosed
keen disappointment at the failure OF the
Socialists to vote for all candidates known
to enjoy his favor and at their refusal to
proclaim themselves entirely contented
with the present conditions. He has
such an cStravagant sense Of his impor-
t..uce. and OF the tilisl devotion Of the Ger
mau people. that he supposed the Social
Democrats would at the first good-natured
overture from him consent to the extinction
Of their political organization. He was
aatonished to discover at the last general
electiun for the Relchstag that the Social
lists. instead OF supporting the Government
nominees, csat vastly increased number
of ballots for their own candidates. and
thereby obtained much larger representa-
ton In Parliament. Surprise became exss-
peration when the Socialist Congress at
Erfurt un animously reafirlned its objec-
lions to the existing order. although split
took place between the majority. who advo-
cuted institutional agitation. and the anar-
chicai wing. which prefers more expeditions
and violent measures. In word. the young
Kaiser has found out how well founded was
BsNARox's warning that the doctrines Of