PRINCE BISMARCK ON THE GERMAN PRESS.

Globe, Volume V, Issue 594, 15 May 1876, Page 3

PRINCE BISMARCK ON THE GERMAN PRESS.

{’limes ) The following is the most interesting passage of Prince Bismarck’s speech in the Reichstag on February 9th, on the press clause in the Penal Code Bill. The Times remarks that the speech is one which has arrested the attention of Europe. Prince Bismarck moved an amendment, which was rejected, holding journalists responsible for circulating false rumois : “ The exaggerated extension of foreign articles and the credulous thirst for foreign diplomatic news excuse newspaper editors to a great extent. It is the fault of the reading public. Our Parliamentary institutions an new; let us hope they will have the effect of attracting greater attention to German tlLdrs, and that we shall not, for instance, be en lighteened by telegrams as 1o a French deputy having spoken at Carcassonne, whereas it might be of more interest to learn what had happened at Breslau or Kouigeberg. The newspapers busy themselves too much with foreign compared with domestic affairs. The on y evil of this is that credulous people suifer. Peace is now disturbed l y new>pape< articles. In modern times a war has hardly ever sprung out of such controversies ; and even the French war of 1870, in which the Press, but only the Ministerial Press, apparently, played a great part, was not occasioned by the Press, but by the then Imperia'

French Camarilla. It haunted us even in 1867, Nobody makes war on newspaper articles ; not even such as those published last spring by some not altogether officious papers, calculated to unsettle the Bourse. I mean the Post, for which I have never inspired articles, least of all that with the heading ‘ War in Sight.’ But 1 did no 1 blame the article, for, if people feel that in any country a minority is instigating war, they should make an outcry that the majority may bo on the alert, for the majority have commonly no inclination for war. War is always kindled by minorities only, or, formerly, in despotic States, by the ruler or Cabinet; but he who first cries * fire’ is certainly not guilty of the war or conflagration, Were there really a Minister who wanted to get up war without cause he would begin quite differently than by raising an alarm in the press, for that would only summon the fire brigade. Before all things, he would have to gain his Sovereign’s approval, without which a Minister enjoying the highest confidence cannot make war. Now, what if the Emperor and the Minister were agreed not to make war. The Empetor has been forced to make wars. He has made them unwillingly with difficulty making up his mind to them. He has earned great fame in them. His Majesty is at an age when people generally do not seek business ; nobody, therefore, will believe that he is disposed to war. This being so, all the talk of war loving Ministers is humbug. [Laughter.] Think of the position if a year ago I had come before you, and had explained to you, as in 1870, when we we r e threatened with the French attack :—‘We must make war. I cannot give you any very d- finite grounds for it. We are not insulted, but the situation is dangerous. We have a multitude of powerful armies as neighbours; the French aimy is being reorganised in such a way as to be really disquieting. Task you foraloan of 200,000,000 thalers in order to arm ourselves.’ Wculd you not be inclined to send fo: a doctor 1 (Laughter.) To ask me how, after my long political experience, I could commit the colossal stupidity of coming before you and saying—‘ It is possible we may in a few ye;rs be again attacked. To anticipate it, let us quickly fall on oar neighbours and cut them to pieces before they are perfectly ready.’ It would be something like committing suicide out of fear of death, and that in a quite comfortable and tranqu.l situation, in which nobody is thinking of war. If you look at the thing in full daylight, you will see the impossibility of a responsible Chancellor acting thus towards a peace loving people, as the Germans are when not attacked. We have nothing to conquer, nothing to win ; we are contented with what we have, and it is a calumny to accuse us of any thirst for conquest or territorial extension. (Loud cheers.) To appear before a peace-loving people and say war must be declared would naturally result in my dismissal.” , .. ,