The Second of September was celebrated throughout Germany, and especially
in Berlin, as the twenty-fifth anniversary of Sedan. The Government greatly encouraged the festival, and the only discordant note was struck by the Socialists, who sent a message of sympathy and fraternity to their French comrades, and circulated thousands of leaflets condemning the war, its celebration, and the Emperor William I. William II., greatly incensed, made in the evening a speech to the Guards, which has created great excitement. He styled the Socialists a " rabble," spoke of their attacks as " monstrous," and finally called upon the Army to resist the " treasonable band and wage a war which shall free us from such elements." This is regarded as a threat to use military force against the Socialists, but it probably was only a bitter expression of a General's feeling against men who denounced patriotic war. It was, however, both superfluous and ill-judged, as the Socialists, when called upon, will fight like all other Germans, and would, if the Emperor had let them alone, be condemned by the immense majority of their countrymen. The day when the majority of one country will sincerely regret victory over another may arrive ; but it is far off yet. Why, Scotchmen do not yet regret Bannockburn.
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