The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1892-03-11
Opposing The Kaiser.
POLITICAL PARTIES TO COMBINE TO
PREVENT HIS ABsoLU1fsM.

BERLIN, March S.-The leaders Of
the National Liberal and Freisinnige
parties are exchanging condolences
with a view TO concerted action
against the Emperor's absolutsm.
The parties have too widely divergent
programs to permit Of fusion, but in
the face of danger from a common
enemy, who would destroy them both,
temporary coalition is recognized as
being inevitable. The question now
discussed in the lobbies of the Reict-
stag is what plan of campaign ought
to be adopted against the Govern
ment.
The leaders Of the Freisinnige party
want to challenge openly the preten-
sions Of the Emperor by raising de.
bate in regard to the pending press
prosecutions. The more cautious
National Liberal tacticians, hoa ever,
advocate the adoption of policy of
obstruction in the Reichstag in the
estimates, using whatever constitution.
al checks the deputies have on the
Government in granting or Withholding
money The Emperor has felt the
check during the week in the refusal
of the deputies to vote an appropria.
ton for the construction of cruisers
and corvettes.
The proposed coalition would not
be sufficient to overthrow the Emper-
or's pet legislative projects unless an
alliance was effected with the Free
Conservatives. If the advice of Prof.
Delbruck, one of the most prominent
Of the Free Conservatives, be followed,
this alliance will soon be accomplished
and tine Government, no longer able
to rely on compact Clerico- -Conser-
vative majority, ought to succumb,
and the Emperor forced to adopt new
line of policy. But nobody expects this
fortunate issue.
The Emperor might dissolve the
Relchstag and Landtag, trusting to
obtain majority through the labor
vote and union of the Clericals and
steadfast Conservatives, or might 90
further towards absolutism by COVER
ming on the strength of his preroga-
tives and despite the parliamentary
majorities. Everything known re.
garding Emperor Williams mood
points to his Majesty's readiness to
act as an irresponsible ruler If allow
ed to do so.
The press prosecutions are under
taken in accord with his express ins.
tructions. Those who seek to apollo
gize for and excuse his Majesty assert
that the prosecutions were initiated in
consequence Of the course adopted by
the public prosecutor, and that they
were not prompted by the Emperor
and were contrary to his wishes. 1t is
a well-known fact that the Emperor
has been greatly enraged by the press
comments on, and criticisms of, his
Brandenburg speech, and is determin-
ed to contest the generally recognized
rights which have hitherto protected
the press from prosecution.
The Brandenburg speech of his
Majesty continues to be the universal
topic of conversation here. The
phrase which excites the most COM
ment, and which is becoming familiar
as proverb, is he one in which he
advises the discontented "Norgles den
Deutschen Staub Won Ihren Pantoffeln
Schuttelten." 1t is asked at whom he
aimed as "slippered grumblers.' 1t
certainly could not have been the
Socialists; nor could it have been the
Professionals, as neither of these
parties is identified with the life of
slippered ease.
1t is surmised that the phrase had
reference to the National Liberals,
perhaps to Prince Bismarck. Anoth-
er surmise is that the Emperor sim
ply hit the phrase in a moment of
vinous exhilaration. His Majesty
drinks less than most wine drinkers,
but he can stand less. After taking
two glasses of champagne he becomes
talkative, and after the third becomes
indiscreet and pugnacious. His after
dinner speeches usually require toning
down, published without having been
edited. The prosecutions of the
press imply that the Emperor has de-
cided to abide by his recent declara-
tions, which are very offensive to edu-
Gated Germans.
To sum up tie position, Germany
is on the verge of period of inter
nal turmoil which may afford the mon
archy's external enemies long-hoped-
for chance Of attack.
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