# 23. Essays from "Deutsche Wochenschrift"

The Week of May 31-June 6, 1888

**The crisis in Prussia**

Emperor Frederick's reservations about signing the law on the extension of legislative terms in Prussia led to a Puttkamer crisis, which is likely to remain a crisis and not, as some claim, lead to a crisis of the entire ministry. The publication of the law depends on the position that Mr. v. Puttkamer takes with regard to the letter addressed to him by the Emperor, in which he is asked to comment on the election interference brought forward in the House of Representatives.

In this letter, the Emperor seems to want to counterbalance the law by taking a stand against electoral interference. This letter is to be published at the same time as the law on legislative periods. The outcome of the crisis cannot be foreseen at the moment, as the Chancellor's position on the issue can only be guessed at.

**The Boulanger hype**

The day before yesterday (June 4), Boulanger presented his long-announced request for constitutional revision in the French Chamber and asked for it to be made urgent. The words with which he supported his proposal did not rise above the most ordinary democratic phrases. The republic should not be the property of coteries, but the common property of all. Not the members of the Chamber, who only represent the interests of certain circles, but he was the true interpreter of the will of the people. He was in favor of abolishing the presidency. The ministers should only be responsible to the head of state. The Chamber should only make laws, but not govern. He would see the Senate, which meant nothing, disappear without regret. After a speech by Floquet, who rejected the haughty language of the General, who spoke like Bonaparte returning home from his victories, the urgency of the motion was rejected by 335 votes to 170.

Emperor Frederick left for Potsdam on ı. June to Potsdam. There is good news about his health this time too.

The debate on the Spirits Tax Act began in the Austrian House of Representatives on May 29. It was adopted on June 5 with a majority of 30 votes, thus creating a law that will be an oppressive burden for the lower classes of the population and at the same time will bring the country of Galicia (as compensation for those entitled to propaganda there) a gift of one million a year. Saturday, June 9, the delegations gather in Pest. The Chamber of Deputies concluded its sessions on the 5th.

The Tisza affair was brought to a provisional conclusion when Goblet informed the Chamber of Kalnoky's and Tisza's statements, both of which asserted that there could be no question of any violation of France. Goblet gave a well-received speech that explained the peaceful nature of French policy, but also spoke of the determination with which the French would defend their national dignity against anyone.

On the occasion of the name day of Prince Ferdinand of Bulgaria, a great revue took place and the population gave the Prince and Princess Clementine an ovation.

In these days the so-called Trans-Caspian Railway has been opened to traffic, which makes it possible to cover the distance from the Black Sea to Samarkand in four days. There is no doubt that this railroad opens up new routes for Russia's trade, but it is questionable whether any ulterior political motives were excluded during its construction.