The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1888-02-22
EUROPE'S WAR CLOUD.
Prince Bismarck's Pacific Ad-
dress on the Situation.
A Highly Dramatic Scene in the
German Reichstag.

The recent concentration Of large bodies OF
Russian troops on the Austrian frontier, to-
gether with the publication Of treaties be-
tween Germany and Austria for
protection against Russia, and Ger
many and Italy for protection against
France, revived the war scare through
out Europe. The announcement that Prince
Bismarck would speak on the situation in
the German Reichstag was therefore regard
ed as matter of unusual interest. A Berlin
dispatch gives the following particulars:
Berlin, although not saying so much about
It as Vienna and Pesth, has been deeply stirred
by all these months Of obvious Russian pre-
parations. This was shown to-day when vast
crowds assembled all the way from the Radez-
will Palace past the Imperial castle and up the
whole length Of the Unter den Linden to the
Parliament House, packing the sidewalks and
roadway alike and cheering the Chancellor on
his way thither as he rarely has been cheered
In Berlin before There had been a terrific
jam for seats, over 5000 applications hav-
Ing been made for the gallery, which only
seats 200, and there are stories Of as high as
$50 being paid for place to the fortunate
holder Of a ticket. Unprecedented tele-
graphic press arrangements had been made
for circulating the speech verbatim at its
conclusion
Under the inspiration of Prince Bismarck's
closing words about Germany's position,
ton to seek or provoke no war and to
fight to the death if attacked, there
was q spectacle rarely seen in the Reich
stag before. The leaders OF every one
of the groups into which the body is divided
rose and earnestly echoed his words, and
swore fealty to the cause of the fatherland's
defense. The whole scene, as described by an
eyewitness, must have been wonderfully
dramatic and impressive to the spectators.
The entire diplomatic corps was present in
the Reichstag, and Prince William was in
the box reserved for the imperial family.
Prince Bismarck was enthusiastically cheered
by the crowd, and his reception on entehngthe
House was wildly enthusiastic. The applause
that greeted him was repeated over and over
again.
Immediately after entering the Reichstag
Palace at about 80 P. NJ, the first reading
Of the Military Loan bill was begun, and the
lor the floor Perfect quiet prevailed when
he began his speech. He said:
II do not believe can add anything to the
true state Of the case regarding the bill. I
do not address you on that account. My
object Is to speak of the general
situation of Europe. I may confne my
self to referring to what | said on the
same subject over a year ago. There has been
very little change since then, when feared
elected I a peace % loving President, and
pacific disposition has prevailed. I can
therefore, reassure the public that
as far as France is concerned the
prospect has become more peaceful. Regard
ing Russia, also, I am Of no other opinion
than when said we have to apprehend no
attack from Russia. The situation must not
be judged from press comments
"I have no faith at all in Russian newspa-
pers, but have absolute faith in the word Of
the Car of Russia The situation on the whole
is not different from that Of 1879. 1grant that
the concentration Of Russian troops on the
frontier may appear serious, but perceive
no cause or pretext for a Russian or q
European war. Russia has no interest to
conquer Prussian or Austrian provinces.
"Igo 30 far in my confidence as to say
that even war with France would not ne
cessitate war with Russia, although the
latter eventually would involve the
former. 1t is true that cannot COM
mand an explanation from the Russian
Foreign Office regarding the concentra-
having been well acquainted with
Russia's foreign policy for generation,
may have my own opinion on the
matter. believe the Russian Cabinet in
tends to make Russia's voice heard at the
next European crisis, and therefore wishes to
push her military forces as far westward as
possible."B
Continuing, the Chancellor pointed out
the fact that Germany had only
secondary interest in the advances Of Rus
sia in the East, and must refuse to be in
volved in any attempt to check
them. He thought that the Gar was devel-
oping his military resources with view tn
giving his country greater weight in the di-
plomatic consultations Of European powers
rather than with the idea of precipitating a
European war.
In conclusion Prince Bismarck took brief
retrospect Of the relations between Prussia
and Germany since 1884, and showed that
on many occasions, of which the public
had no cognizance, affairs had as
sumed threatening aspect, but
that in each case the calm, self-reliance of
German diplomacy had averted bloodshed.
He had personally not the slightest doubt that
O similar result would follow in the present