Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-03-25
CONGRATULATIONS
Refused Bismarck by 0ppo-
nents in the Reichstag.
All Germany Excited by This Insult
10 the Old Chancellor.
Emperor William Much Disturbed Comments
OF German Press.

Berlin, March a4-The lower house Of
the Landtag, by large majority decided.
today, to congratulate Prince Bismarck
on the occasion of his S0th birthday. Tho
Contrast. Nolksparteil. Freisnnige and
Polish members opposed the resolution.
! The Reichstag, this afternoon, by n
vote of l64 to li6 rejected the proposal
of Herr Won Levetzow. President Of that
body, that tho Reichstag charge him with
the duty of Offering the congratulations
of the Chamber to Prince Bismarck upon
the occasion of the ex-chanccllor's S0th
birthday. When the result of tho vote
was announced. President Won Levetzow
and Vice President Baron Won Buel- Beren-
burg immediately resigned.
The loss of the army bill could not have
excited Germany more than the Reich
stays refusal to congratulate Bismarck.
| Tho moment the result of the vote was
known, DIR. Won Boetticher hurried to thc
telephone and told the Emperor, who was
waiting the news in the old castle. Herr
Won Lucanus, chief of his majcsty's civil
cabinet, went directly from the Imperial
box to the castle and described to tho
Emperor the scenes of tumult in tho
Roichstag.
When the Emperor drove out Inter Den
Linden, between 3 and O'Clock, he looked
unusually sullcn. All the officials likely
TO know the Empcror's feelings agree that
he is intensely disturbed by the Reich
stays exhibition of itself. He is under
stood to have exclaimed ut the end of
Lucnus' narrative: 1t is scandalous.
Tho vote is n reflection on me, the govern
ment and all the authorities and societies,
who will unite in honoring Bismarck. "
| The peculiar feature of the whole affair
| is the apparent Indifference or ignorance
With which the Emperor and ministers,
despite all tho unmistakablc warnings,
again stcered straight into defeat. The
| Emperor could hardly have been ignorant
of what everybody else knew. He must
have been informed that, Thursday, the
Socialists, Catholics, Richter Radicals
and Poles formed q coalition to reject tho
Lcvetzow motion. The same day repre-
sentatives of all the parliamentary parties
met and after the stormcst Of debates,
separated with .nUtual declarations Of de-
ilanee and repreach ~ .,..-.s,
Herr Won Leyctzow's final efforts to
save his motion were made, Friday. He
tried to induce Dr. Lieber, the Clerical
leader, to keep his party from voting, but
failed to get any pledge, although Liebcr
rest of the Catholics
The relations OF the parties were moro
embittercd by yesterdays vote than by
any purely political differences since tho
close of Kulturkampf Several deputies,
who favored the motion, regard the Reich
stays decision as u personal affair and
have approached the ministers privately
to urge a temporary suspension of the
session, looking to a dissolution in tho
near future. Already the Bismarckians
have been joined by other deputies, who
apparently regret their course in yestcr-
days proceedings and are anxious to
efface the stigma by taking part in the
demonstration at Friedrichsruhe.
The governments attitude toward the
demands for a dissolution is distinctively
passive. A general election with Bis
marck" for the rallying cry would COM
nit the government body and soul to the
agrarian programme and several other
point of Bismarckian policy. for which
the Emperor and ministers have little
liking.
Among the passionate appeals and do
nunciations with which the newspapers
have been loaded since yesterday noon,
there is one calm and carefully reasoned
article, which warns the admirers OF tho
old chancellor not to go too far in their
indignation. 1t Is in tho Tagcblatt,
which, although once bitterly hostile to
the prince has been fair with him and
his friends in the last few years.
at is timely to remind German politi-
clans, " says the writer, that the storm
now let loose may bring to the front again
Prince Bismarck's powerful personality,
working to the ends which most of the
parties cannot approve. We believe as
matters stand, that the prince may now
be more of disturbing than regulating
influence in active politics.
The article quoted appeared last even
ing. This morning the Tageblatt returns
to the subject thus: ave admit that the
confusion can be ended only by the dis
solution Of the Reichstag II the govern
ment has decided to appeal to the country,
1t will have a strong basis on which TO
make a campaign and win success"
The Feudal kreuzzitung says, today:
If harmony existed within the govern
ment, the ministers would answer this
affroEt with decree OF dissolution. We are
sure that the nation would give fitting
response.
The yossische Zctung. Liberal, says:
" No party ever can revert with pleasure
to Saturdays proceedings. The event
probably will lead to revolution Of the
parties. Since the Emperor has spoken
with such deep indignation OF the Reich
stays action, we should not be surprised
to learn that the Federal council had been
asked to agree to a dissolution.
The Vorwaerts, Social Democratic, says,
TCoDtinuad IN rra0e .