TRUTH SPEAKERS IN THE GERMAN PARLIAMENT.

Westport Times, Volume V, Issue 778, 18 February 1871, Page 2

TRUTH SPEAKERS IN THE GERMAN PARLIAMENT.

In the North German Parliament on Saturday the war loan, as has been already announced by telegraph, was approved, only four members dissenting-. One of those, Herr Bebel, excited great uproar by his defence of the present French government, and his denunciation of the annexation of Alsace and Lorraine. He commented on the fact that, of the loan of 100,000,000 thalers only 68,000,000 had been subscribed, as a proof that the much vaunted patriotism of the people was worth very little where money matters were concerned. The loudest talkers, he said, if called on to advance money, waited to see whether the necessary percentage would fall into their pockets. At this there was a great disturbance, and the president, amid great applause, stated that if the speaker continued to abuse his own nation in this style, he should not allow him to proceed. " I have shown towards you," he reinai-ked, " forbearance and respect without precedent, because you are here in so small a minority." Herr Bobel then resumed speaking, amid continuous disturbance. Another of the minority, Herr Liebknecht, afterwards spoke. He insisted that the policy of the government was in no way national, or the German Austrians would not have been shut out, aud that the war was directed against Republicanism. Why, he asked, was nothing done for the Germans in the Baltic provinces? Because Russia was a despotic State. Had peace been concluded after the fall of the Empire, Germany, he said, would now be one, and in a different way from what is now possible. At this point he was called to order by the President, as outstepping the extreinest limits, .on which he exclaimed —" This is the boasted liberty of discussion. The Opposition in Paris were never treated like schoolboys. They were interrupted, indeed, but they were allowed to speak." The President again, amid cheers, called him to order, and Herr Liebknecht went on to argue that the Government contemplated the Emperor's restoration, alluding, as a proof of this, to Count Bismarck's undeniable negotiations with the Empress.