# 26. Essays from "Deutsche Wochenschrift"

The Week of June 21-27, 1888

On Monday Wilhelm II spoke to the German people in the Reichstag and on Wednesday in the Prussian House of Representatives. They were words that are capable of creating clarity in every direction. The new ruler proclaimed that he was determined "as Emperor and King to follow the same paths on which his blessed grandfather had found the trust of his allies, the love of the German people and the benevolent recognition of foreign countries". For us Germans in Austria, the Emperor's words about the German-Austrian alliance are of particular importance: "Our alliance with Austria-Hungary is generally known. I adhere to it with German loyalty, not merely because it has been concluded, but because I see in this defensive alliance a basis of European equilibrium, as well as a legacy of German history, the content of which is supported today by the public opinion of the entire German people and corresponds to the traditional European law of nations, as it was undisputedly valid until 1866." These words emanate from a profound understanding of the circumstances, so in keeping with the spirit of Germanness and its historical development, that they must make a strong impression on every German and evoke deep satisfaction. The Emperor's declarations on foreign policy are thoroughly reassuring. Everywhere in Europe the words of the new ruler of the Germans were greeted in the most sympathetic manner.

The Austro-Hungarian delegations have almost finished their work. The Austrian delegation has already completed all the bills in the second reading, and the 47 million credit requested for extraordinary army expenses has been adopted unanimously. It will therefore probably be possible to conclude the session on Thursday. Against the 47 million credit, the delegates argued that in future those expenses which are to be regarded as permanent should be included in the ordinary army requirement, and that the lump-sum credits, which are beyond the control of the parliament, should not become too high. Apponyi's words in the Hungarian delegation concerning the transformation of Austria's passive policy on the Balkan question into an active one are noteworthy. Austria-Hungary should not sit back and watch Russia's policy on the Balkan peninsula, but should use all its influence to bring about legal recognition of the actual existing conditions. Kalnoky's speech in the delegations' budget debate, which firmly denied that Austria was thinking of any conquests on the Balkan peninsula, caused a change of attitude against Austria in Greece, where it had not been understood until then that Russia and not Austria was the enemy of the free development of the Balkan peoples.

Prince Ferdinand of Bulgaria is still facing the condemnation of Popov as an unresolved issue. The latest news seems to indicate that the matter will be resolved without a ministerial crisis.

The Boulangists are divided among themselves, Michelin and his comrades will henceforth only follow the General if he accepts the radical program they have drawn up. The French Council of Ministers rejected the Institut de France's request to lift the Duc d'Aumale's banishment.

In Spain, the Chamber rejected an amendment concerning Spain's official participation in the Paris Universal Exhibition.

On June 8, the House of Lords passed the Salisbury Bill to reform the House of Lords. The Bill empowers the Queen to appoint no more than five peers for life each year, three of whom must have held a senior position of state and the remaining two must otherwise be of public importance. The total number of peers may never exceed fifty.

In Belgrade on June 24, at the banquet organized in honour of the Cabinet, King Milan made a toast containing remarkable political statements. The King said that only the errors committed in Serbia's politics in the last seventy years have recently led to the dismissal of a ministry based on the trust of the people.