The German Anti-Socialist Bill is at last in shape. The
Liberals have succeeded in defining " Socialists " as persons- aiming to subvert existing society by force, in restricting the right of suppression to newspapers issued after judicial condemna- tion, and in limiting the duration of the Bill to two and a half years. The Government, however, have announced informally that they will not endure the second restriction, and it is believed the Liberals will give way. The Government will then have power to close all Socialist meetings, to suppress summarily any paper which they think is teaching Socialism, and to deport any Socialist teaching his principles from any place in which he has not resided six months. The effect of all this will be to embitter all Socialists, to make all discussion of philanthropic projects dangerous, and to drive the Socialist leaders to secret and therefore violent propagandism. The beershop will take the place of the debating club. Of course, as against the violent section of the party, the Bill will be entirely power- less. Nobody who intends to assassinate a King says so in public meeting, or will be greatly terrified by the seizure of a paper which is probably enjoining moral suasion as the best help to the diffusion of his opinions. Note that the Emperor, for whose reception the inhabitants of Berlin had made every pre- paration, is not to return to his capital till December, and re- member that he is probably the last man in Europe to be dismayed by vague threats.
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