Poverty Bay Standard. PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY, THURSDAY AND SATURDAY MORNINGS. Tuesday, January 31, 1882.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume X, Issue 1030, 31 January 1882, Page 2

Poverty Bay Standard. PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY, THURSDAY AND SATURDAY MORNINGS. Tuesday, January 31, 1882.

The eyes of all Europe are fixed upon Germany. The internal politics of that country have now arrived at, an exceptionally critical state. From the opening of the New Parliament it was manifestly clear that the popular voice had returned an ovewhelming majority against the Imperial Party. The line of policy upon which Prince Bismarck had set his heart seemed doomed. With but eighty out of four hundred deputies to support him he asked the most hostile Parliament he has yet had to face, to carry out a policy they were elected to oppose. The tone prevalent in his demand clearly implied that the Government of the Empire was determined to carry out its own schemes—the Bismarckian policy — and totally ignore the voice of the multitude. Verily this would be reducing to a farce representative Government in the most military nation in the world. It was to oppose the Chancellor's policy of increasing the taxes on liquor, the tobacco monopoly, his scheme with regard to the working men’s insurance, the alterations in the sittings of the Reichstag, and other objectionable features in his political programme that the German nation recorded as it did, its vote at the late election. The Speech from the Throne delivered in the “ White Hall” of the Old Palace, by Prince Bismarck was received with icy coldness. That speech lias been described as couched in the haughtiest and most defiant language and to the effect that the Government heeded not public opinion as supposed to be shown in the elections which had sent the deputies to Berlin. Humors shortly after this to the effect that Bismarck was about to resign, prevailed. These were followed by further rumors that a coalition between parties had been organized. Neither the one nor the other eventuated. The first important division we hear of taking place was on Prince Bismarck’s proposals for an Economic Council, which resulted in a defeat of the Imperial party the votes being 153 to 102. Many of the deputies abstained from voting. On the 7th of this month, news that has startled Europe, and which is looked upon as the forerunner of a crisis in Germany was received. The announcement that Emperor William had issued a rescript, addressed to the Parliament demanding an oath of allegiance from all the officers in the service of the Government, clearly indicated the despotic course the iron-will of Bismarck was determined to describe in order, at all hazards, to effectuate his political designs. If this decree is to be applied to all the Government officials, both civil and military, in the German Empire it will affect several millions of persons. The new Parliament may be dissolved, a fresh election ensue, and then with a Damoclitian sword hanging over the heads of the German nation, the liberties of the people will be wiped away, representative government in Germany will become a byword and a mockery. Members will be elected who will act at the beck and call of Bismarck, and the country will be ruled by the despotic will of Kaiser William and his Chancellor. In the past, even though acting at times against the popular will, Prince Bismarck in his administration of affairs, aud in his maintenance of the Royal prerogative has received much public sympathy and support. But that sympathy and that support must not be expected when tyranny and oppression from within threaten the German nation. That is what the action of Emperor William clearly implies. There is a terrible struggle impending between German Liberalism on the side, and Imperialism on the other.