8. Essays from "Deutsche Wochenschrift"

The Week of February 15-22, 1888

The deadlock which occurred a few months ago in the diplomatic negotiations between the Powers over the existing difficulties, and which gave the crisis such an alarming character, is now to be remedied by Russian proposals concerning Bulgaria. Russia wants to return to the origin of the entanglements and make the situation in Bulgaria the subject of a European intervention in order to remove one of the most important obstacles to understanding. Accordingly, Russian diplomacy reportedly proposed to the powers that a joint decision be taken to declare Ferdinand von Koburg's government in Bulgaria illegal and to force the current actual prince to leave the country in order to facilitate a reorganization of the situation. Nothing reliable is yet known about the details of the Russian proposals, the means they envisage to implement Europe's resolutions and, above all, the attitude of the authoritative empires towards the Russian openings. Even now, however, there is no hiding the fact that a Platonic resolution, even if it were passed by all the states of Europe, need not necessarily result in the removal of Ferdinand, since his popular support might prove too strong for that. And what if the prince does not leave voluntarily? Not to mention the question of what kind of successor he should be given and whether someone could be found to replace him who would also be acceptable to Russia, the signatory powers of Berlin and the Bulgarians. Russia's applications therefore do not offer any particular prospect of a smooth settlement of the matter. Nevertheless, it is regarded as extremely gratifying that at least the diplomats have something to do again and that it is not just a matter of military armaments. A faint hope, but a hope nonetheless.

Furthermore, there is a great silence in general European politics, and unfortunately the illness of Frederick William must again attract more public attention than all political events. Not as if the news from San Remo heralded a decisive turn for the worse. However, the progress of his recovery after the operation is so slow that people are once again giving in to fears which the doctors are unable to dispel.

After a lengthy debate, the German Reichstag has now finally approved the extension of the Socialist Law in its current form for two years. The tightening of the law proposed by the government was rejected on the whole, and unless unexpected events occur, it can be expected that after two years the Socialists will again be subject to the common bourgeois law. In the last sessions of the Austrian House of Representatives, it was the law on academic associations and assemblies presented by the Minister of Education that was the focus of interest. The first reading, which ended with the bill being referred to a committee for preliminary deliberation, was carried out with an unusual turnout from the public and, in particular, the student body, which filled the galleries to capacity. Dr. von Gautsch represented the point of view of the education administration, describing the aim of the law as a "step back towards order", as the academic youth were guilty of all too serious excesses. The speech by the deputy Pernerstorfer, who first drew a comparison between the morality of middle-class young people and that of the youth of the "very high" aristocratic circles and then sharply criticized the actions of the Minister of Education in his appointments etc., caused the greatest stir both in parliament and among the population. Pernerstorfer was interrupted several times by the President. Dr. Kopp also spoke against the law in a very effective manner and concluded by expressing the wish that it be buried in the school committee for good. Shortly before, the House of Lords had given its approval to the trade agreement with Germany, on which occasion A. von Schmerling warmly commemorated the alliance that unites Austria with Germany.

On February 18, a large assembly of citizens took place in Vienna, which took a decisive stand against Prince Liechtenstein's school proposal, and the next day a significant part of the Viennese working class followed the representatives of the bourgeoisie. Both times, strong resolutions against the clerical attack on the school were adopted unanimously.