Sixty-nine professors out of
eighty-three, six theologians out of eight, including amongst them
certain members of the Faculty, have signed this protest. The greatest
names of German science and literature have here joined forces. Liberals
like Herr Harnack have made common cause with such anti-Semite
Conservatives as Professor Treitschke. Mommsen, Virchow, Curtius
Helmholtz, stand side by side in defence of the rights of liberty of
thought. William is becoming irritated by the lessons thus administered
to him and the opposition thus displayed, and his nervousness continues
to assume an aggressive form.
Alsace-Lorraine is undisturbed, and all Europe bears witness to its
pacific tendencies; nevertheless, the German Emperor is bringing forward
a Bill before the Reichstag for declaring a state of siege in
Alsace-Lorraine, which includes even a threat of war, and opens the door
to every abusive power on the part of the civil authority. The speech
which he addressed to the members of the Diet of Brandenburg is the most
complete expression which the Emperor, King of Prussia, has yet given of
his latest frame of mind.
How dare they criticise him, or discuss his policy! Let them all go to
the devil! He, whose policy it is to block emigration, now wishes for
nothing better than that all his opponents should leave Germany. But it
is impossible to revoke public opinion wholesale, like an edict. If it
is difficult now to expel all malcontents from Prussia, what will it be
when their number is legion? William II has promised to his people a
glorious destiny, happiness, and the protection of Heaven.
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