The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1888-02-08
Tie German Chancsllcr's Reasons Tor the
Passage Of the Military Bill.
No Probability Of an Immediate Conflict, But
Preparation Is Needed.
An address Pac ic in Tou,, Bat Significant oil
BIsmlrek's Policy.
The Speech Warmly Received and FIRE.
quentIy Applauded-fhe Landwehr
Bill Passed En- BlOc-Notes.

BERLIN, February 6-The ammo uncemen
that Prince Bismarck would speak on the
military bill drew q great throDg of peo-
pie to the Reichstag to-day, and long be-
fore the days business was begun the gall
leries were filed to repletion. Prince Will
liam. of Prussia, and Prince Leopold, son
of the late Prince Ferdinand Charles, &C.
cupied the court box, while the diplomatic
gallery was crowded with the different for
eign representatives and their families.
Prince Bismarck was enthusiastically
lreeted on his way to the Reichstsg palace
by dense crowds. which lined the route
along Wilhelm Strasse to the palace. Prince
Bismarck entered the Reichstag at 1:25. He
was received with deafening cheers. The
House proceeded with the first reading of
the MILITARY loan bill, and Prince Bis
marck arose to address the House. He
said:
II do not believe can add anything to
the true state OF the case regarding the
bill. l do not address you on that &C.
count. Ny object is to speak of the gen.
eral situation of Europe. / may confne
myself TO referring TO what l said on tbs
same subject over a year ego. There has
been very little change since then, when l
feared war with France. Since then
France has elected a peace-loving Pfesi-
dent, and pacific disposition has pre-
vailed. l can, therefore, reassure the pub
14C kIht 50 IhI DC It IdOCS Is COuC6IneQ tue
prospect has become more peaceful. Re-
garding Russia, also, am OF no other
opinion than when l said that we have to
apprehend no attack from Russia. The
situation must not be judged from press
comments.
THE Russian newspapers do not believe.
believe the Cars word absolutely. The
situation, on the whole, is not different
from that of 1879. I grant that the con-
ctntration OF Russian troops on the frontier
msy appear serious, but perceive no cause
or pretext for Russian or European war.
Russia has no interest to conquer Prussian
nor Austrian provinces Indeed ! go so far
in my confidence as to say that even a war
with France would not necessitaIe war
with Russis, althoue b. he latter eventually
would involve the former. 1t is true that
1 cannot demand an explanation from the
Russian Foreign Office regarding the con-
centration of troops on the frontier, but
having been well acquainted with Russia's
foreign policy for generation, may have
my own opinion in the matter. 1 believe
1he Russian Cabinet intends to make R1s-
sia's voice heard at the next European
crisis, aud, therefore, wishes to push her
gilifary forces as far westward as possible.
"PeEkaLs Russia speculates upon turn
taking place soon in the Eastern question,
and desires to act promptly and with
greater weight. Perhaps Russia intends to
render her diplomatic demands more eff
fectual from the fact of having an army
ready for war behind them. We, how
ever, are only concerned in the Eastern
question in a secondary manner"
Prince Bismarck proceeded to review the
relation between Prussia and Russia since
1s4s, al d showed how frequently they had
assum' a menacing aspect. He said that
at all the times the calmness and conscien-
tiousness displayed by the ministers on
the Prussian side toward the threatening
position of Russian affairs-a position of
which foreign countries had DO idea-had
succeeded in avertlpg mischief. "As early
as 1868" he continued, matters were in
such q position that everybody urged me
TO advise striking blow. | waited quiet.
~ until we were struck. l believe we did
well in this. Despite all indications of a
storm, certain feeling of tranquility su-
pervened, owing to the intimate relations
between the three empires. Then. as now,
however, we were constrained to augm ent
and organize our forces, go that IN case of
necessity we might stand forth a strong
nation, making its power prevail by our
strength, and so defending its authority,
its dignity and its possessions"
TO erect his purpose" continued the
Chancellor, mo sacrifice must or can be too
heavy. The wsr-ike tendencies of France
or Of Russia drive rs to defense. The pike
ID France and Russia )mpel Us to become
carp. We are better able than any other
nation 70 offer strong resistance to our
foes. Our relations with Russia were not
disturbed ~ the success Of 1866.
Prussia has always shown her
self complaisant to Russia, and has
done Russia many services for which she
might claim gatitude, and for which she
has not, in fact received acknowledgement.
Prussia has, all times sought to maintain
good relations with Rlssia, although the
latter left Us in the lurch at Olmnetz.
m 50 vrh fT1Ta afoF 70 Pno lah a.
70 keep up such relation, and reaped sue
cess. These traditional relations had
always q prepossession for me, and have
fostered them, though my friendly feelings
fer Russia have cooled. / say this in order
70 make il clear why We concluded an al
lance with Austria.
I'VE were inclined 70 accede to the de-
msnds of Russia, made upon as before
last years war in the East. Russia then
turned to Austria, but in vain. We were
glad the storm passed over our heads. At
the Congress, which was only able to
bring together with great trouble, / exerted
myself TO obtain satisfaction for all Rus
sian interests and carry through all Russian
wishes. 1 really believe l had acquired
the right to Russla's gratitude, but 1 could
not and would not give Hmbrage to Austria.
Some people have sought 70 find ultim.
alum or threat in the publication of the
treaty. It's nothing of the kind. The
treaty - al e1presslOn OF the CON- muulty
OF interests OF the two contracting parties.
This We wished the world Tn know. Not
ttis treaty ouly, bat also that with Italy,
is an expression of common interests and
common efforts to avert common dangers
and maintain peace. Austria followed this
thoughtful policy in 1870 in resisting the
enleaties Of France to come forward
against Germany. Austria is our natural
ally in dangers which threaten
rs from Russia and France
but there is no need to fear the hatred of
Russia. No wars ARE vaged from mere
hatred, for otherwise France would lave
TO De At war with Italy and the whole
world. The strength We possess will ress-
sure our public opinion and the nervous
ness Of the bourse and press. Our task
BOW IL TO strengthen this strength. We
! must, Of course, have the best of weapons
for the fathers of families who viii
bare 10 serve under the present bills with