The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 1888. KAISER WILHELM'S SPEECH.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1884, 4 July 1888, Page 2

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 1888. KAISER WILHELM'S SPEECH.

The Emperor William when opening the Reichstag after his father's death, m his capacity as absolute ruler of the Empire, made a speech, the tone of which to some extent reassures tho public mind as to his future intentions. Ho promised protection to laborers, and showed a disposition to put on a better footing those \rho suffered under the unhealthy system of social contracts which existed. Legislation to effect reforms m these matters would bo brought m and bo far tho Emperor has shown, a disposition to mete out justice to the poorer of his subjects. All attempts to undermine public order would be zealously guarded against, and wo have his assurance that as far as lay m his power he would preserve peace at home and abroad, bhould he keep his word m regard to making an endeavor to preserve peace abroad his name will be tho more highly honored m time to come. His information that he would uphold the Austrian-Italian alliance as the foundation of European equilibrium is satisfactory, and relieves tho country of fears that he would soon engage m i war with some nation or other. Ho says ho will use his army to prevent war, and not m making it, a means of offence to other nations. His desire to cultivate the personal friendship of the Czar wo arc told evoked manifestations of enthusiasm m the Reichstag, and it would seem that there is something m the friendship of Russia which is worth fostering. It was only with Russia, however, that tho Emperor spoke of cultivating friendship and an.ity. Wo are left m the dark as regards his intentions towards France. Tho speech seems to have been well received at Vienna and a favorable verdict is pronounced upon it. The effect of his bellicose proclamation has been calmed by his more peaceful utterances m his speech from the throne. In fact, his words now aro of a most pacific character, and it would seem as if ho were endeavoring to remove or neutralise the impression his former words conveyed to almost every portion of his people as well as to the outside world. The reforms promised wil go far to bring about good tp the German Empire and dispel the gloomy forebodings of long and confinued war which the martial proclamation issued upon the death of his father gave rise to. The only point unsatisfactory m tho speech is that no allusion is made tp France, and the policy that is likely to be pursued towards her. On this point there is no light, and the current of events with respect to Franco will therefore bo the* more narrowly watched. England, Russia and Austria applaud tho tone of tho speech, but France is silent throughout. Russia baß sworn personal friendship to tho new Emperor, and Austria has followed suit. The chgrches m Germany will feel secure in ' view of tjip promise given by tho Emperor that peace with, the Catholic Cjhurch would be preserved, and £bat re%ious toleration would bo'granted to all. Not the l^oast hopeful sign* of the Emperor's good fcejiflg to the lower and poorer classes is tho intimation that taxation m their cases would bo lightened where possible. A change m public opinion regarding tho Emperor will bo complete if he adheres to the programme he has Bet down as intending to follow.