The Sunday herald., 1886-12-12
WARL,KE GERMANY,
Tho septennate CommissiOn = Fears
AbOul France.

BERLIN, Dec 1.-THE meetings of the Septennate
Commission, though nominaly secret. have been
open to all the members of the Rechstag, over one
hundred OF whom have been present each day.
only reporters have been denied admission thus
far. Gen. Won Schellendorf, the Prussian Minister
or War, appears to be possessed of no information
worth concealing. In giving a detailed comparison
OF the strength OF European armies he said that the
distribution OF Russian, French, German and Aus.
trian troops along their respective frontiers showed
the necessity OF Immediately strengthening the
border garrisons Of Germany. lie doubted bot h
the offensive and defensive power of Austria
If she attacked Russia without allies. He earnestly
insisted upon secrecy regarding strategic mans
showing the routes in Eastern Germany toward
Russia, aud the routes in Western Germany toward
France, and the whole tenor of mis- remarks indi-
Gated that the government is preparing for hostile
coalition against France and Russia His prolonged
favorable criticisms the effective condition of the
French army are becoming the subject OF occasional
comments among the members Of the commission.
Gen. Won SchellendDrff said that IL any snOuld
be rurprlsed that he spoke less about the Russian
than the French army his explanation was that he
| did so because, from u military point of view, the
| latter offered more serious cause for apprehension,
owing to the completeness OF the system adopted
by the French government for mobllizlng its troops
and its combined facilities for concentrating them
at determined points on the frontier and in the ill.,
| terior.
| Replying to n question from Herr Richter con.
France, Gen. Won Schellendorf showed that the bur
| den imposed on German ax-payers is much lighter
| than that placed on the French and Russians.
Ihe Government organs are now confident thaI
the commission will approve of the whole bill.
fltIT 'IIIcuDtIReT, WHO WAS appointed 1nptIlDel
OF the Commission, has declined to serve and the
vacancy has been filed by the appointment OF Herr
Mcister. socialist.
The arming OF the German troops with repeating
rifles is being fastened. Five army corps nave
already been equipped with the improved arms, an,
the fifteenth corps which occupies Asace- Lorraine
| Is now receiving them.
rumor that Gen. Won Mo!tke had been stricken
with apoplexy caused a great sensation in Berlin
but 1t was quickly and authoritatively denied. Gen
| Won Moltke continues to enjoy admirable health
The Reichstag has referred to the Budget Commit
| Tee the Berlin Oriental Seminary bill. a number o
deputies express the hope That the seminary, IL es
tablished, will be made 10 serve both the rcmmerca
and diplomatic interests Of the Empire.
The semi-oiilcial press announce that the govern
ment measures to improve the condition OF the arti
are not members OF a guild shall he compelled Il
contribute to the funds Of the workmens guilds
from which shall be drawn the expenditures 70
technical schools, money to assist travelling work
men, and also money for the establishment OF lodg
ing-houseS, etc.
1t is also proposed TO establish central depart
nent for the whole Empire to supervise unlfOrT
settlement of.the system OF guilds.
y sensational murder trial. winch was held wit
closed doors, has Just heen concluded at the Ostrow
assZes. The prisoner. man named Mix, age
seventy years, crimlnaly assaulted Il thrteen-yea'
old girl and then set re to the cottage In which sh
lay. Her body was reduced to ashes. MlX's childre
were the leading witnesses against hlm. lie wa
convicted, and after being sentenced to death h
partly confessed his guilt.
| Two Americans named Burton alias "AstOn," an
Anderson alias "Fnt," who had Just been release
from prison at Metz, where they were confined fo
swindling have been sent to Hamburg Ia be tried q
charge OF rObbing the Imperial Bank OF Hambur
OF 100000 marks, eighteen months ago.