, 1886-12-26

BERLIN, Dee. 1.-The official press
has aba!ed its attack upon the Centre
.iarty. While predicting the acceptance
OF the military bill without debate when
the reichstag reopens, the report that
there Is a complete entente between the
government and the leaders ui the Centre
finds general belief.
A state OF siege is being severely en-
forced in Frankfort. Letters from several
socialists OF hat city say that even the
possession OF Il prohibited publication is
deemed sufficient cause for arrest, without
proof that that the person arrested is con-
nected with a secret society. The official
press defends the present measures, on
the ground that discoveries have been
made of anarchist plots in industrial CEN
tiers. They say hat since the murder of
Officer Rumpff by Lieskel, the police of
Frankfort have traced qualifications of
anarchist conspiracy to those centers.
Minister ' on Puttkamer's circular direct
ing the authorities to prosecute persons
found circulating forbidden publications
is construed by the police to include per-
sons who circulate such works without the
knowledge OF their contents. Progressist
papers declare that if the law is applied
as Herr Won Puttkamer directs, the lib
erty OF the press throughout Germany will
be destroyed, even political economists
being debarred from a free exposition of
socialist doctrines. The papers point out
that any i'll disposed commissary of police
can arbitrarily arrest men who have no
relations with socialism. and they assert
that virtually Herr Won Puttkamer is
trying to establish a political inquisition.
Herr EyDpr anapt Of "a cvnAtoafa no,,
posed of the Deutsche Bank Discont com
pany, and Herr Krupp have arrived here
from China, whittier he was sent to en-
dcavor to secure railway construction con-
tracts from the Pekin government. He
reports that he has not obtained the de-
sired contracts, but that he was promised
a share on the work when the government
railway schemes are ripe.
Baron Schernitz. governor of German
New Guinea, has sent from Huon bay a
specimen of gold quartz which gives pro-
mise hat a rich field has been discov-
cred.
Advices from Vienna say that it is re-
ported there that u serious difference ex
lists between the cabinets of Vienna and
Berlin. 1t is claimed that Prince Bis
marck is serving Russian designs without
regard to the interests of Austria. Herr
Won lisa, Hungarian premier, it is
stated, will soon hold II conference with
Count kalnoky, and will insist that the
situation be cleared up and that Bismarck
be asked to declare whether Germany is
an ally Of Russia or of Austria Hungary.
BRUSSELS, Dec. 2j.-The towns of
Liege and Namur have sent a petition to
the government asking that the ancient
citadels at those places be demolished.
The petitioners say that in the event of
an invasion these citadels would furnish a
pretext for bombardment, while they
would be useless for purposes of defence.
ROME, Dec. 25.-Lord Harrington, ac-
compan,ed by Right Hon. Henry Chap.
lin, member of Lord Salisbury's former
ministry. attended Christmas services to-
day at st. Peter and Santa Maria Mag
giore cathedrals. Lord Harrington will go
to Monte Carlo on Monday. He will not
reach London until Jan. "