22. Essays from "Deutsche Wochenschrift"

The Week of May 23-30, 1888

The health of Emperor Frederick continues to be very favorable. On the 24th, the marriage of Prince Heinrich to Princess Irene of Hesse, the granddaughter of Queen Victoria of England, took place in Charlottenburg. On the 27th, Prince Bismarck returned to Berlin from Varzin. On the 26th, the Prussian House of Representatives held its last session, in which the Volksschullastengesetz was adopted in accordance with the resolutions of the Herrenhaus. During the hearing on the election review, Richter made a sharp speech against the behavior of the conservative and national-liberal press in the Chancellor crisis and towards the Empress, so that the conservatives and national-liberals felt compelled to protest most vigorously against these accusations. In response to an article in the "Moskauer Zeitung", the "Norddeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung" and other publications close to Prince Bismarck published fierce articles against Russia's hostile behavior towards Germany in political and economic matters; at the same time, the necessity of countermeasures was emphasized. There was even talk of customs reprisals against the Tsarist Empire. For the time being, however, it was only to remain a threat.

The budget debate in the Austrian House of Representatives was closed on the 25th after Deputy Derschatta attacked the Minister of Justice in a fierce speech on account of the secret land register regulations for the Graz Higher Regional Court and Deputy Pernerstorfer pointed out the glaring abuses in Galician court practice. The bill concerning the subsidization of the Austro-Hungarian Lloyd was adopted. The Spirits Tax Act is currently the subject of negotiations. On May 26, Tisza replied to Helfy's interpellation concerning the participation of Hungarian industrialists in the Paris World Exhibition by stating that the state could not grant any support to the exhibitors and that he advised against any participation at all. Understandably, this speech caused a great stir in Paris and people were looking for Tisza's political motives.

In France, an assembly was convened by Clemenceau, Ranc and Joffrin, which decided to form a "Society of Human Rights". The republic was to be "protected against dictatorial desires". The number of voices against Boulanger also appeared to be increasing. The German imperial government decreed that all foreigners arriving in Alsace from France must be provided with a passport certified by the German embassy in Paris. This measure was justified by the activities of the French revanchist party. A number of other provisions sought to regulate the stay of French nationals in Alsace.

Prince Ferdinand of Bulgaria arrived in Sofia on the 27th; the reception was most splendid. Princess Clementine arrived on the 29th for the Prince's name day (which falls on the 30th). Great festivities are planned for this day.

In England, a British East African Society, which aims at the further exploration and civilization of Africa, was founded and granted the right by the government to levy customs duties and taxes and to organize an armed force.