It is not easy to understand Prince Bismarck's position about
the "Gagging Law." It has been rejected almost unanimously by the German Parliament, and was very feebly defended by the Chancellor, whose line in the debate has been to say that he in- tended it to repress Socialists, and in the interest of Parliament it- self, and that if Members did not approve it, they might manage their own discipline. Was he really careless about the Bill? That is unlikely, or he would hardly have incurred the unpopularity involved in bringing it forward? Was he forced into the measure by the Emperor, who is sensitive about things said in the House ? Was he alarmed by the resistance he encountered in the Federal Council, which struck out the two most drastic clauses, rendering Members liable to criminal trial P Or having decided on a dissolution, Was he glad to be rid, of a measure of which his opponents might have made a rallying. cry P We suspect the latter to be the truth, and that Govern.
meat has determined on a speedy dissolution, with a view to assembling a Protectionist Parliament, which, as Prince Bis- marck thinks, will give him an ample revenue. He does not yet know how much protective duties yield to monopolists, and how little to the Treasury.
