A GERMAN SOCIALIST ON RUSSIA.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1284, 1 May 1878, Page 3

A GERMAN SOCIALIST ON RUSSIA.

One of the most remarkable speeches made during the late debate on the Eastern Question in the German Parliament was that of the Socialist leader, Liebnecht, who has now republished the speech in the form of a pamphlet. Referring to Prince Bismarck's declaration that a war should not be entered upon unless it was approved by the whole nation, Herr Liebnecht observed that the Prince was formerly of a different opinion. The war of 1866, which was partly the origin of the present crisis, was begun in opposition to the will of the great majority of the Prussian kingdom—the Germans in general, too, did not want war. The result was the breaking up of the German Confederation —of that " wall between the North Sea and the Adriatic which stemmed the advance of Slavism." As to the policy of Russia, he could not understand the view that Lord Derby and Count Andrassy had been deceived by that Power. " If a man who is a convicted thief and liar promises that he will not rob you, it is impossible that you should believe he will keep his word; and if, notwithstanding this, you accept his promise, you are not a dupe, but an accomplice. . . . How could any one believe that the oppressor of Poland will be the liberator of the Turkish Slave? Charity begins at home, says the English proverb ; a policy of oppression and tyranny at home, and accompanied by professions of liberalism and humanity abroad, is more than hypocrisy —it is a crime against mankind. The voice of Poland is not yet dead, though Russia has a simple and effective way of silencing the Poles by hanging them. . . The situation produced in Europe by the late events has led many to think whether, in order to avoid being plunged every four or five years into a new war, it is not necessary to establish States on the only durable basis—that of justice. If this principle were accepted, one of its first deductions would be the restoration of Poland. Let Poland be restored, and we shall be left at peace by Russia 5 for the small Slavonic nationalities in Turkey will certainly become the satellites of Russia —and, therefore, an incessant source of disturbance—unless they find a support in some stronger Slavonic nationality, namely in Poland." As to the neutrality professed by Prince Bismarck, Herr Liebnecht remarked that it did not mean leaving Austria full liberty to oppose Russia if she should consider such a course necessary; it simply meant that Germany would not allow Austria to interfere, either diplomatically or otherwise, in the war between Russia and Turkey. " The result of the annexation of Alsace and Lorraine in 1871 is that Russia is enabled to impose her will upon Europe. That annexation has moved the European centre of gravity, not from Paris to Berlin, but from Paris to St. Petersburg. . . The old European system, broken up by the wars of 1866 and 1870, is now a heap of fragments ; Austria alone is left out of the universal wreck, and she will probably not long survive Turkey. ... If Germany attempts in any way to oppose Russia, she is immediately threatened with a Frauco-Russian alliance ; such is the true meaning of the ' German neutrality,' of which we have heard so much in this crisis. After Turkey will be Austria's turn ; and ultimately Germany herself will have to oppose by force of arms the aggression of Russia. She will then repent the shortsighted policy which has prevented her from taking the opportunity she had in 1877 of protecting herself and Europe without bloodshed, against the attacks of their common enemy, by acting in accordance with the dictates of justice and the sympathies of the German people."