Prince Bismarck has gained two important victories this week. On
Monday, Herr Bennigsen, the leader of the National' Liberals, announced to his followers that he resigned his post,. and with it his seat in Parliament. He retires for a time from political life. His avowed reason is dislike to vote with hiss party against the repeal of the May Laws ; but he is also, it is known, disheartened at the position of affairs in Parliament- There is nothing, he believes; to be done. His resignation, fol- lowing that of Herr Linker, has disorganised the Liberals, and Prince Bismarck, supported by the Conservatives and Ultra- montanes, has it all his own way. On Tuesday, therefore, the Reichsrath passed the measure on which the Chancellor has most set his heart—the prophetic Budget for 1884-85—ant was instantly and quite unexpectedly prorogued, all the social Bills mentioned in the Emperor's speech being thus lost. The Chancellor had gained his end, and did not want Parliament any more. It is believed that next Session, the " Socialist" Bills granting aid in sickness, and so- on, will again be proposed, and will be carried, and that the Reichsrath will then be dissolved, the Chancellor believing that with the Liberals so out of heart, and the lowest class con- ciliated, he will obtain a majority at the polls. His calculation,. if the Catholics adhere to him, is probably correct.
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