The German Emperor is certainly not going to shoot Socialists
unless they revolt, and it is improbable that he will ask for new measures of repression ; but it seems certain that the police of Prussia have been urged to new energy in repression. Editor after editor is arrested and accused of in- sulting the Emperor, newspapers are confiscated, clubs (female as well as male) are suppressed, and generally Socialists declare themselves to be under police surveillance. The result of this small persecution is said to be that the Liberals of all denominations are making common cause with the Socialists, and will in Parliament refuse many Government demands, and that popular irritation, which would expend itself on the police, is concentrated on the Emperor, who is believed to be the cause of the new rigour. William II. appears to be giving way to his feeling as soldier, and to consider that men who are opposed to the celebration of military triumphs are public enemies. His action is the more to be regretted because the tendency of the German Socialists just now is to become mere democrats, and to ask for more liberty rather than the extinction of private capital.
