The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle. — 1884-05-17 (Stourbridge, West Midlands, England)

PRINCE BISMARCK ON SOCIALISM.  In the German Reichstag on the 9th inst., the debate on the Socialist law was resumed by Herr Richter, who, with his usual skill, insisted on the failure of the existing legislation, as proved by the fact that the Socialists had constantly increased since it was passed. Herr von Puttkamer replied, the only point of interest in his speech being the announcement that the Government would not accept Herr Windthorst's amendments. He concluded by hinting at the dissolution which would follow on the rejection of the bill. Prince Bismarck, who had just entered the House, then rose and spoke at some length, and with even more than his usual bitten, ess. His social programme he declared to be as follows: "Give the workman bread—that is to say, work so long as he is in good health; give him , support when ill; provide for him in old age, and then we shall want no exceptional laws." He. announced that the Emperor had in 1881 taken the initiative in promoting international action against the Anarchists, immediately after the attempt on the Czar in the month of March in that year. He then sent an autograph letter to the Chancellor, urging cooperation against the manufacture, sale, or import of explosives. Russia accepted the proposal, and suggested a conference at Brussels. Germany and Austria consented; whilst France, following the lead of England, refused. "We continued the negotiations," said the Chancellor, "in order to effect an agreement at least between Austria, Russia, and Germany. We wanted to abolish the fiction that murder could be justified by political motives, and that the poisoning of Sovereigns was useful or oecumble if committed in order to bring about a change of system." The negotiations, however, had come to nothing. Prince Bismarck further declared that the passing of a Dynamite Law on the part of the German Government alone to be useless. The great Powers should come to an 1 agreement on the matter. He then proceeded to deny deny that Russian Nihilism was similar to German Socialism. Germany, eighteen years ago, when young Blind had attempted his (Bismarck's) life, was at the present standpoint of Nihilism. The Russian Nihilists were half-educated, corrupted students and officers. No Russian workman was a Nihilist, bat all faithful adherents of the Czar. Exactly the opposite was the case in Germany now, where the majority of the Socialists were workmen. Prince Bismarck then announced that if the bill were rejected the House would meet again on the '3rd of August, and be immediately dissolved and new elections announced. He would ten say-to the electors, "If you want to be free from- the..*Soc:ialist danger, you will not elect Progressists.". Herr von Treifsolike then spoke, after which Herr Richter endeavoured to reply to the powerful speech of the Chancellor. The latter then rose for the • second time, refusing to answer in detail all Her Richter's" petty insinuations," but passionately declaring that he considered it his highest duty to oppose " Progressist'Liberalism," .till his last breath. Prince Bismarck further attacked the Poor-law administration of Berlin, whereupon Herr Forckenbeck, first Burgomaster of Berlin, replied very bitterly, iteclaring the Chancellor's assertions to be calumnies disproved by official documents. Prince Bismarck then offered to withdraw the charges if Herr Forckenbeck would communicate to him the documents he had cited.