It is evident that the German Government from the beginning
took a very serious view of the rioting,—a fact which will cause little surprise when it is remembered that, though no very large body of workmen was involved, the mass not only of the artisans of the capital, but other large sections of a normally docile population, showed them- selves ready, nay eager, to accept an excuse for descending into the streets to combat the police, and to run the terrible risks involved in resisting the authorities in Germany. Riot- ing in Berlin is a very different thing from rioting in an English city. Even if the disturbances are not renewed, the effect on the minds of the workmen and Socialists throughout Germany is bound to be very great, and will in all probability have a considerable effect on the forthcoming elections. The mob is sore and angry, and, though beaten, has to some extent felt its power, while the Government is nervous and alarmed. Those are not conditions which make for peace, and at any moment some small trade dispute may cause a fresh outbreak.
