It should be carefully noted, in watching the development of
Socialism in Germany, that the leaders of the party are opposed to Trades-Unions, as they are to old-age pensions, State insurance, and Employers' Liability Bills. They hold all such measures to be criminal compromises with the capitalistic state of society, and as such not to be tolerated. At the annual meeting of the Social Democratic party held in Berlin this week, the Trade-Union leaders formally complained that they were insufficiently supported, and proposed that every member of the party should join the Union of his trade. Herr Bebel, however, fiercely opposed this proposition, holding, it is said, that the distress of artisans is the best Socialist weapon, and the proposal was voted down by an " overwhelming majority." This appears to Englishmen exceedingly unwise; but it must be remembered that abstract principle has much more influence on the Continent than in this country.
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