Prince Bismarck's plan of a Spirit Monopoly has been contemptuously
rejected by the German Reichstag, only three Members voting for it on the final division. He accepts• the defeat, and promises a Brandy-tax instead; but his closing speech was remarkable. He wished, he said, to make the Empire as strong financially as it was strong in its military arrangements, for there might still be a great battle to fight. Socialism, already strong in France, might win the day, and then the French armies, advancing under the Red Flag, might, as ninety years ago, find their victory smoothed by the " internal enemy,"—that is, the German Socialists. The speech was, no doubt, uttered to ensure the passing of the anti-Socialist law, which has been voted for two years only, though the Socialist leader, Herr Bebel, openly ad- vocated regicide if circumstances required it ; but we suspect the fear expressed was in part genuine. It is after a great social convulsion that Prince Bismarck believes that France would be formidable, and looking at the labour ferment in Europe, he may be right. Only one does not see why he thinks that five millions of small proprietors will send their sons to death, in order to preach that property' is theft.
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