The anxiously expected debate in the Reichstag on the Kaiser's
interview opened on Tuesday. Herr Bassermann, who moved an interpellation on behalf of the National Liberals, spoke of the "boundless astonishment and deep sorrow" excited by the knowledge that the statements attributed to the Emperor were authentic, and the crushing criticism evoked both at home and abroad. A unanimous protest had been raised in all the States of th'e Empire against the intervention of the Emperor in foreign policy. Herr Bassermann, who declared that hostility to Great Britain did not exist among the Germans, said that they did not demand the resignation of Prince Billow at the present juncture. What they wanted was a guarantee against the interven- tion of the personal regime. Their wish was that the Emperor should receive exact information regarding that day's proceedings, for they did not want any cleavage between the Emperor and the nation. In conclusion, he read the declaration adopted by the Central Committee of the National Liberal Party affirming that the personal inter- ference of the Emperor in foreign policy was neither for the good of the Empire nor in accordance with the Constitution, and, while it recognised his noble motives, expressing the hope that he would impose on himself the reserve incumbent on a Constitutional ruler.
