The German Government, availing themselves of the excite- ment produced
by the attempt to assassinate the Emperor, have brought in a Bill enabling the officials summarily to suppress 4' Socialist" writing, lecturing, or teaching. They will have power of suppression, subject only to an appeal to the Federal Council, and any resistance will be punished by three months' imprisonment. The Federal Council has passed the Bill, and on Thursday it was introduced into Parliament by Herr Hofmann, who hoped the Church would crush Socialism, but believed forcible repression in the meanwhile indispensable. The Liberals of all shades have agreed to resist the Bill, and Herr Bennigsen, Prince Bismarck's special friend among the Moderate Liberals, has spoken strongly against it, though promising, if the Government think it necessary to strengthen the ordinary laws, to assist them. No doubt is entertained that the Bill will be thrown out, and very little that if it is, Parliament will be dissolved, and Prince Bismarck will make a strong appeal to the electors to send up Conservatives.
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