Mr. Phelps to Mr.
Blaine.
Legation of
the United States,
Berlin, February 15, 1890.
(Received March 3.)
No. 73.]Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith for the
files of the Department authentic copies from the official gazette, with
translations of the recent decrees relating to the improvement of the
condition of the laboring classes, addressed by the German Emperor, in his
imperial capacity, to the chancellor of the Empire, and, in his capacity of
King of Prussia, to the Prussian ministers for public works, and commerce
and industry. I also transmit a copy, with translation, of the Emperor’s
address to his State council, which, in response to his summons, met
yesterday to discuss and determine upon the measures to be adopted to reach
the results aimed at in the royal rescripts.
The inclosed documents, in view of the high purpose which prompted them, in
view of the conference with other great powers suggested, and of the
possible legislation foreshadowed in them, have been so thoroughly discussed
by the press from every standpoint that I can add nothing new or of value to
the Department.
I ought, however, to say that in this country at least they, or rather the
disposition towards the interests of labor manifested in them, receive in
all classes approval and admiration.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure 1 in No. 73.
—Translation.]
Emperor William to
the imperial chancellor.
I am resolved to lend my hand to the task of improving the condition of
the German working classes so far as those limits permit, which are set
to my benevolent interest, by the necessity of maintaining German
industry in a state capable of competing in the markets of the world,
and of thus rendering its own existence and that of the workmen secure.
The decline of home trade, through the loss of its market abroad, would
take away the bread, not only from the masters, but also from their
workmen. The difficulties in the way of the improvement of the situation
of our work people, which have their root in international competition,
can only be modified, if not overcome, by international understanding
with the countries which share
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the command of the world’s market. In the conviction that other
governments are also inspired with the desire to submit to common
investigation those endeavors to better their condition, regarding which
the work people of these countries already conduct international
negotiations with each other, I desire that in the meantime, in France,
England, Belgium, and Switzerland, official inquiries should be made by
my representatives. Then, if the governments are inclined to enter upon
negotiations with us, with the object of an international understanding
regarding the possibility of meeting those necessities and wishes of the
workpeople, which have been revealed by the strikes of recent years and
otherwise, so soon as an agreement with my invitation has been obtained
in principle, I charge you to invite the cabinets of all governments
which cherish a similar interest in the working class question to a
conference for the consideration of the questions involved.
[Inclosure 2 in No.
73.—Translation.]
Emperor William to
the ministers of commerce and industry, and of
public works.
At my accession I declared my resolve to promote the further development
of our legislation in the direction in which my late grandfather
undertook, in the spirit of Christian morality, the care of that portion
of the people which is the weaker on the economical side. Valuable and
successful as are the legislative measures already taken for the
improvement of the condition of the working class, they do not
accomplish the whole task before me. Along with the further development
of the workers’ insurance legislation, the existing regulations of the
industrial code regarding the relations of factory operatives must be
submitted to examination, in order to satisfy the complaints and desires
which have found a loud voice in this sphere so far as they are well
grounded. This investigation must start from the principle that it is
the duty of the civil power to regulate the nature and duration of
labor, so that the preservation of health, the demands of morality, the
financial needs of the workers, and their claim to equality in the eyes
of law may be maintained. For the promotion of peace between the
employers and employed, legislative provisions must be contemplated,
according to which the work people may, through representatives
possessing their confidence, share in the regulation of common affairs
and be qualified to look after their own interests in negotiations with
their employers and with the organs of my Government. By such an
arrangement the work people must be enabled to enjoy the free and
peaceful expression of their wishes and grievances and to give the civil
authorities the opportunity of constantly informing themselves
respecting the condition of the work people and of maintaining touch
with them. I desire to see the State mines, as regards care for the
workers’ interests, developed into model institutions; and for private
mining industry I aim at the restoration of an organic relation between
my inspectors of mines and the industry, with the object of obtaining a
surveillance corresponding to the position of factory inspection as it
existed up to 1865.
For the preliminary consideration of these questions I desire that the
Staatsrath should assemble, under my presidency, and with the
participation of such specialists as I shall summon. The choice of the
latter I reserve for my own decision.
Among the difficulties which stand in the way of the arrangement of the
relations of workers in the sense intended by me, those which arise from
the necessity of not injuring home industry in its competition with
other lands occupy a foremost place. I have therefore instructed the
imperial chancellor to propose to the governments of those states whose
industry commands with ours the markets of the world the assembly of a
conference to attempt to achieve some equal international regulation of
the limits of the demands which may be made upon the activity of
workers. The chancellor will communicate to you a copy of the decree
issued to him by me.
[Inclosure 3 in No.
73.—Translation.]
Emperor William to
the council of state.
Gentlemen of the Council of State: By my decree
of the 4th instant you were informed that it is my desire to hear the
views of the council of state regarding those measures which are
necessary for the better regulation of the condition of the working
classes. The important position which the council of state occupies in
the Monarchy requires that the weighty questions to be solved in this
connection should be submitted to it for thorough consideration before
the bills to be drafted on the subject are laid before the parliamentary
bodies, with whom rests, in virtue of
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the constitution, the final decision in the
matter. I regard it as important that the council, composed as it is of
members belonging to the most varied callings, in virtue of the
practical experience represented by its members, should conscientiously
and impartially examine my proposals and decide as to their expediency,
practicability, and scope. The task for the accomplishment of which I
have called you together is a serious and responsible one. The
protection to be accorded to the working classes against an arbitrary
and limitless exploitation of their capacity to work; the extent of the
employment of children, which should be restricted from regard for the
dictates of humanity and the laws of natural development; the
consideration of the position of women in the household of workmen, so
important for domestic life from the point of view of morality and
thrift; and other matters affecting the working classes connected
therewith, are susceptible of a better regulation. In the consideration
of these questions it will be necessary to examine, with circumspection
and the aid of practical knowledge, to what point German industry will
be able to bear the additional burden imposed upon the cost of
production by the stricter regulations in favor of the workmen, without
the remunerative employment of the latter being prejudiced by
competition in the world’s market. This, instead of bringing about the
improvement desired by me, would lead to a deterioration of the economic
position of the workman. To avert this danger, a great measure of wise
reflection is needed, because the satisfactory settlement of these
all-absorbing questions of our time is all the more important since such
a settlement and the international understanding proposed by me on these
matters must clearly react one upon the other.
No less important for assuring peaceful relations between masters and men
are the forms in which the workmen are to be offered the guaranty that,
through representatives enjoying their confidence, they shall be able to
take part in the regulation of their common work, and thus be put in a
position to protect their interests by negotiation with their employers.
The endeavor has to be made to place the representatives of the men in
communication with the mining officials and superintendents of the
State, and by that means to create forms and arrangements which will
enable the men to give free and peaceful expression to their wishes and
interests, and will give the State authorities the opportunity of making
themselves thoroughly informed of the circumstances of the workmen by
continually hearing the opinions of those immediately concerned and of
keeping in touch with them. Then, too, the further development of the
State-directed industries in the direction of making them pattern
examples of effective solicitude for the workmen demands the closest
technical study. I rely upon the tried loyalty and devotion of the State
council in the labors which now lie before it. I do not lose sight of
the fact that all the desired improvements in this domain can not be
attained by State measures alone. The labors of love, of church, and
school have also a wide field for fruitful action by which the
ordinances of the law must be supported and aided; but if, with God’s
help, you succeed in satisfying the just interests of the laboring
population by the proposals you make, your work may be sure of my kingly
thanks and of the gratitude of the nation.
The bills which are to be submitted for your consideration will be laid
before you without delay. I appoint to take part in the deliberations
the two sections of the council for commerce and trade, public works,
railways, and mines, and for affairs of internal administration, and I
will attach to them a number of experts. I request the members of those
departments to assemble in the place to be indicated to you on the 26th
instant at 11 in the morning. As reporter I appoint Chief Burgomaster
von Miguel, and as assistant reporter, Privy Councillor Jencke. I
reserve to myself the power, after the conclusion of the sectional
discussions, to order the council of state to reassemble; and I wish you
in your work the blessings from on high, without which human acts can
never prosper.
