NEWS OF THE WEEK.
THE last Session of the German Parliament was opened on Tuesday, in a speech of some importance. The " Socialist " promises of Prince Bismarck arc all confirmed. The Emperor promises to propose new taxes, especially on stamps and brew- ing, the produce of which shall be applied to "better the lot of the working-classes," by a reduction of their burdens. "A posi- tive attempt," his Majesty says, must be made "to promote the welfare of the labouring classes." The provisions hitherto in force "for protecting labouring men from the perilous conse- quences of incapacity to work resulting from accidents or help- less age have proved insufficient," and therefore the Emperor has proposed the Accident Insurance Bill, "as complement to the legislation directed against the tendencies of socialist democracy," and will propose a Bill calculated "to regulate the -constitution of the Guilds, by affording means for organ- ising the isolated powers of persons engaged in the same trade, and forming them into corporate societies." The Emperor next proposes biennial, instead of annual. Bud- gets for the Empire, so as to prevent the clashing of imperial and provincial parliaments, which overworks the Members ; and then, referring to foreign affairs, declares that 'Germany is at peace with everybody, and that the relations of the three neighbouring Empires in particular "correspond to the friendship which personally knits his Majesty to the rulers thereof." Among the European Powers there is no difference, either in the will to preserve peace, or in ideas as to the way to preserve it, and therefore " I am empowered to give expression to the, trust of him Majesty that the unity of the Powers will succeed in preventing even partial breaches of the peace in Europe, or, at any rate, so limit them as that they neither affect Germany nor its neighbours." That does not look much like peace. Emperors do not talk of localising war, when peace is very probable.
